This year we are seeing big changes in industrial manufacturing due to new advances in technology and automation, and we are all trying to keep up. Many companies are investing in large-scale facility upgrades to incorporate these new technologies and keep up with demand. From their experiences, we are learning about benefits, challenges, and effects on processes that facility upgrades can bring. A focus on designing for reliability will be essential in planning these upgrades. 

When you think about solar farm maintenance, sheep may be the last workers you think of hiring. But, they come with a host of benefits. Solar installations require extensive maintenance efforts to control vegetation and sheep grazing provides a new cost-effective solution. This innovative practice allows solar farms to maintain ground cover, control vegetation, reduce fire risk, and lower O&M expenditures.

Running low on spare parts? Just pop into the warehouse and fire up the printer. That’s what one company, Deutsche Bahn (DB) is doing, and the results are nothing short of extraordinary. With the power of 3D printing, DB has successfully produced a total of 100,000 spare parts ushering in a new era of efficiency, cost savings, and resource optimization in train maintenance operations. 

An investigation has uncovered the reasons the Ohio foundry steam explosion occurred. In late February at a metals plant in Ohio, a steam explosion caused 1 fatality and sent 15 other crew members to the hospital, 2 in critical condition at the time. This is an update to the article posted 2/22/23.

The US is facing a manufacturing workforce shortage due to retirement, a focus on college instead of trades, lack of access, among other factors. What is being done to remedy this quickly growing problem? 

We are constantly reading news about industrial accidents and safety violations. Coming up on Safe+Sound Week, why don’t we focus on something positive? This week, we are highlighting OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).

On March 24, 2023, a deadly explosion erupted at a chocolate factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania. The explosion at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant occurred around 4:55 pm, flattening one building and damaging several structures nearby. As a result of the incident 7 people lost their lives, 11 were injured, and 3 families were displaced from their homes. The National Transportation and Safety Board’s (NTSB) most recent report concluded a natural gas leak may have contributed to the chocolate factory explosion.

In late June, a crack in a column of the Fury 325, a 95 mph “giga coaster” threatened the safety of passengers at Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte, North Carolina. The crack was likely apparent for a week before a now viral video posted by a park patron encouraged the park to shut down the ride.