Can Interlocking Devices Improve Machine Safety?
The success of your enterprise depends on the safety and productivity of your machines—and the employees who operate them. Unfortunately, the machines used across industrial workplaces are complex, and guards alone can’t guarantee there will be no accidents or injuries. That’s why it’s essential to invest in supportive safety solutions to safeguard your operators and drive workflow productivity.
At Stronghold Safety Engineering , we help industrial workplaces prevent injuries, maintain compliance, maximize production through leading-edge safety solutions and services. Today, we’ll be discussing how our powerful interlocking devices can bring extra protection to your machine operations and improve your bottom line.
Interlocking Devices for Machine Safety
When a guard or gate isn’t in place, how can you ensure the machine won’t operate? That’s where interlocking devices can help. Offer your employees extra protection by preventing machines from starting when they aren't properly guarded with the right interlock switch. By incorporating these simple, cost-efficient solutions across every machine in your workplace, you can prevent accidents that could lead to injuries or worse.
An interlocking device is the perfect complement to a moveable safeguard. Not only do they prevent the machine from turning on at the wrong time, but they also prevent the operator from making an inappropriate maneuver and potentially harming themselves. Interlocks work to prevent the operator from completing unsafe actions (or reducing the hazard of an unsafe action) by putting the machine in a secure state when an unauthorized activity occurs. The result? Smarter, safer, and more reliable machine operations across your enterprise.
At Stronghold, we offer a selection of interlocking devices to suit your safety needs, including the following solutions:
By harnessing these interlocking devices, you’ll be able to rest easier knowing that your employees are properly protected and safely operating their machines.
The Importance of Safeguarding Your Machines
There is nothing more important than the safety of your workers. That’s why it’s critical to make sure each and every one of your machines is equipped to meet OSHA standards. According to OSHA, approximately 18,000 injuries and 800 deaths occur each year for workers who operate machinery. Safeguards act as a first line of defense for the operator—and are essential for protecting them (and those around them) from unnecessary harm. Additionally, any part, function, or process of a machine that can cause injury should be guarded.
How can you ensure that the machines in your facilities and on your sites are correctly guarded? Through regular assessments, effective communication, and training, you’ll know that your machines are optimized for safety—and that the operators are well protected while using them. At Stronghold, we understand the importance of protecting your employees and machines. Our machine guarding assessments should be your first step in identifying risks, eliminating hazards, creating a customized safety plan, and implementing the right safety solutions to maximize ROI.
While a machine guarding assessment is crucial, it’s only the first step towards safer enterprise operations. Implementing the solutions outlined in your assessment—as well as employee safety training and new communication systems—will also play an important role in preventing injuries and maximizing workforce production.
While often overlooked, effective communication impacts workplace safety just as much as guarding solutions and training. Proper safety necessitates proper communication—and without it, you can’t effectively deliver essential information on machine operations. That’s why designing a detailed communication plan is imperative, especially in emergency situations. Most importantly, optimized communication creates an open, transparent work environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up about health and safety concerns—and collaborating to address them.
Stronghold: Your Machine Safety Partner
Nothing should ever come between the safety of your employees and machines. And with the right safety solutions, you can ensure that every member of your team is operating safely. At Stronghold, we’re ready to help you create a safer and more productive work environment. Whether you need leading-edge safety products or industrial safety services, we can work together to identify areas of risk and position your team for long-term success. If you’re ready to get serious about safety, then contact us today.