The Importance of Surveillance Cameras in Manufacturing Establishments

Every year, manufacturing facilities face avoidable challenges due to inadequate surveillance. Surveillance cameras, also known as CCTV, are a cornerstone for deterring criminal activities and safeguarding both employees and assets in these environments. However, the benefits of these video surveillance systems extend beyond discouraging theft. In this blog, we’ve rounded up the top reasons why CCTV is important and makes a practical addition to your manufacturing facility.

Manufacturing facilities, with their complex machinery and bustling activity, inherently carry risks, and the statistics are telling. In 2019, the manufacturing sector accounted for almost half of the 41,000 occupational injuries in the Philippines.

The local government also estimates that 17 in 18 people in the nation’s workforce work under less-than-ideal conditions, as the International Labor Organization reported. These incidents not only affect employee well-being but come at a cost to manufacturers, from lost productivity to reputational damages when the company is associated with unethical workplace practices.

Ensuring worker safety is thus paramount to manufacturing establishments, and CCTV cameras, like what RS Components offer, play a crucial role in this context. By monitoring areas prone to accidents, these surveillance systems help identify and rectify potential hazards to minimize the risk of incidents. In the unfortunate event of an accident, surveillance footage can be used for post-incident analysis to provide insights that guide effective corrective actions to prevent future occurrences, creating a safer workplace.

Interestingly, the mere presence of CCTV may even encourage adherence to safety protocols, as studies have shown that people are more likely to follow rules when they know they are being observed. This psychological effect, also known as the Hawthorne effect, makes video surveillance an essential tool in enforcing a culture of safety in manufacturing environments.

In any manufacturing establishment, maximizing productivity is crucial, and machinery failure can lead to significant setbacks, including customer dissatisfaction and lost profits. Here, video surveillance plays a key role by overseeing the entire production process.

With strategically placed CCTV cameras and video analytics, plants can monitor the flow of work and materials to identify areas where even small adjustments can lead to significant improvements.

The surveillance footage also serves as an invaluable training resource to demonstrate the dos and don'ts of specific tasks, providing employees with clear examples of best practices. Meanwhile, management teams can use the video clips to gain insights into areas where additional training might be necessary, thereby preempting potential issues and boosting operational efficiency.

Integrating advanced technologies like thermal imaging sensors with surveillance systems can also help with early detection of issues like machine overheating, enabling action to be taken before a failure occurs. Such proactive measures can significantly reduce factory downtime, ensuring a smoother and more productive manufacturing process.

For manufacturing floors with higher or lower temperatures, the RS PRO CCTV Camera makes a good choice. It's capable of operating effectively in a wide temperature range from -20 °C to +60 °C, making it well-suited for diverse thermal environments.

Depending on the nature of the products manufactured and the materials used, manufacturing facilities may be subject to the risk of theft at different stages of the manufacturing process. To mitigate this, installing surveillance cameras at every entrance and exit is crucial.

Surveillance systems can help alert employees to external threats, allowing them more time to react to minimize damage to the company. In the event of a crime, the video footage also provides visual documentation invaluable for law enforcement.

A tip is to choose weatherproof models with auto adjustment to light, like the RS PRO Analogue Indoor Outdoor IR CCTV Camera or the IP68-rated Sure24 Analogue Indoor CCTV Camera. Such models can be easily installed outside your facility to prevent theft and vandalism within and outside your compounds.

If your manufacturing facility is in areas with higher crime rates, consider the RS PRO Analogue Indoor CCTV Camera. Designed with durable, vandal-proof housing, this model is resilient against tampering or damage by individuals with malicious intent, ensuring reliable surveillance even in challenging environments.

While external threats are a concern, internal theft in manufacturing and production settings is also common and equally detrimental. CCTV strategically placed in critical areas, such as loading docks and storage rooms, or areas with restricted access can help monitor and act as a deterrent to secure these vulnerable points.

In areas like storage rooms, where lighting is dim, consider models like the RS PRO Indoor/Outdoor Use CCTV Camera. This model automatically adjusts to different lighting conditions and comes with DNR (digital noise reduction), WDR (wide dynamic range) software and SENS-UP technology. Together, the features enable the surveillance camera to provide clear footage in color even with illumination of just 0.008 Lux.

Whether you seek a CCTV with excellent night vision and motion sensor or one that integrates easily into your facility’s IoT setup, you can find a diverse range of quality surveillance cameras on RS Components. Built to offer crystal-clear monitoring in varied manufacturing environments, these CCTV systems support versatile applications. Browse your CCTV monitors, cameras and related accessories on RS Components today to step up your facility's security.