How to Manage a Machine Safety Project
June 19, 2024
How to Manage a Machine Safety Project
Many people think that machines are only dangerous if they malfunction. In reality, even when a machine is functioning properly, it can be very dangerous.
That’s why it’s so important to ensure that your machines are safe and properly safeguarded. At Stronghold Safety Engineering, we’ve helped many, diverse companies to find the best machine safety solutions for their unique operations.
In this article, our machine safeguard experts reveal the best ways to manage a machine safety project. By following these guidelines, you can keep your workers safer, and your business running profitably.
What are the 4 Basic Principles of Machine Safeguarding?
The 4 Basic Principles of Machine Safeguarding include:
Mitigate the Hazard
Control the Source of the Hazard
Train Your Operators
Issue Personal Protective Equipment
1. Mitigate the Hazard
The first step in any machine safeguarding project is to identify the hazards present. Invest in expert machine guarding assessments to maximize the effectiveness of your project.
Once the hazards have been identified, it’s important to take steps to mitigate them. This may involve redesigning the machine or process, introducing new safety devices or controls, or changing the way the work is done.
2. Control the Source of the Hazard
The next step is to control the source of the hazard. This may involve installing guards, enclosures, or other physical barriers to prevent operator exposure to the hazard.
Invest in professional risk reduction consulting to discover modern solutions to common machine hazards.
3. Train Your Operators
Once the hazards have been identified and controlled, it’s important to train your operators in how to safely work with the machinery. This training should include both classroom instruction and hands-on training.
4. Issue Personal Protective Equipment
In some cases, even with the hazard mitigated and the source controlled, there may still be a risk of operator injury. In these cases, it’s important to issue personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, or earplugs.
What are the 6 Machine Safeguarding Requirements?
The 6 Machine Safeguarding Requirements include:
Deny Contact with Moving Parts
Protect Your Operations from Overhead Hazards
Avoid Solutions that Introduce New Hazards
Prevent Your Safeguards from Interfering with Your Operators
Secure Your Safeguards
Enable Vital Access without Removing Safeguard
1. Deny Contact with Moving Parts
The first step in safeguarding your machines is to ensure that workers cannot come into contact with moving parts. This can be done by enclosing the hazard, using barriers or guards, or by keeping workers at a safe distance from the hazard.
2. Protect Your Operations from Overhead Hazards
Another common hazard in manufacturing environments are overhead hazards. These are hazards that are suspended overhead and could fall on workers below.
To protect your workers from these hazards, you can install barriers or guards around the perimeter of the work area, or you can use warning signs to alert workers to the hazard.
3. Avoid Solutions that Introduce New Hazards
When implementing safeguards, it’s important to avoid introducing new hazards into the workplace. For example, if you’re installing a barrier to protect workers from a moving part, make sure that the barrier doesn’t create a new hazard, such as a trip hazard.
4. Prevent Your Safeguards from Interfering with Your Operators
Safeguards should be designed so that they don’t interfere with the normal operation of the machine. For example, if you’re using a barrier to protect workers from a moving part, make sure that the barrier doesn’t block the operator’s view of the hazard or make it difficult for the operator to reach the controls.
5. Secure Your Safeguards
Once you’ve installed safeguards, it’s important to make sure that they’re properly secured. This will help to ensure that they don’t become loose or dislodged, which could create a new hazard.
6. Enable Vital Access without Removing Safeguard
In some cases, workers will need access to the hazard in order to perform their job, such as to lubricate the equipment. In these cases, it’s important to design the safeguard so that daily maintenance tasks can be performed without disabling or removing the guard solution.
Find a Reliable Machine Safety Guide in Stronghold Safety
For guidance in preparing, conducting, and managing a personalized machine safety project, reach out to our team today.