Eve
ry workplace has potential hazards, even offices. However, industrial environments tend to pose significantly greater risks to employees, which means employers need to take additional steps to ensure workplace safety. This article will offer a brief overview of How to improve human-machine safety in any industrial facility.
Fall Protection
The large machine tools found in many modern industrial facilities are often installed below floor level. Without appropriate protective measures, workers may be placed at risk of falling into the resultant hazardous pits. Installing metal roll-up walk-on covers offers a perfect solution by preventing falls but still allowing easy access to these vital machines.
Hazardous Fume Containment
Roll-up covers aren’t just good for protecting workers from falls. They can also be used to enclose vessels such as chemical tanks that would otherwise emit hazardous fumes. Just keep in mind that most tank covers aren’t designed to be walked on and cannot support workers’ weight.
Machine Guarding
Today’s industrial environments are highly automated, which is good news for workers who might otherwise be exposed to hazardous processes. Automated work cells require machine guarding, though.
Installing automated machine safety doors to prevent unauthorized access to areas used for robotic processing, welding, or transport helps to protect both workers and expensive equipment. In areas that require frequent access, automated door actuators may be a better fit. They can be wired into a machine’s controller so that equipment operators can avoid unnecessary repetitive motion injuries.
Pinch Point Isolation
Scissor lifts and tilt tables create pinch points, which can be potential sources of injury. Enclosing the moving parts with bellows is the easiest way to prevent access to these hazardous areas. Using large-format bellows or lift covers also comes with the advantage of protecting machinery from dust and debris while still allowing normal operation.
Ventilation and Ducting
Machinery that produces potentially harmful emissions must be properly ventilated to avoid posing a respiratory risk. This goal can be accomplished via the installation of ducting, bellows, and motor boots.
Harmful emissions aren’t the only issue that can come up with industrial machines and air quality. Some equipment generates dust or small, airborne particles. The debris must be contained without interfering with the machine’s operation to avoid respiratory risks to workers and keep the machinery operating at maximum efficiency. Retractable machine roof covers offer an excellent means of accomplishing this goal.
Safeguarding Roating Parts
Machine lathes and other rotating parts can pose a risk to workers if they aren’t adequately protected. Shade rollers and telescopic springs can help to safeguard the equipment, and metal housings can be added for roll-up mechanisms to further improve workplace safety. These simple and affordable products can help to prevent accidents due to rotating parts that could cause injuries to workers and damage to machines.
Maximize Safety Without Interfering With Operational Efficiency
Sometimes, facility owners and managers are hesitant to implement new safety mechanisms because they’re nervous about how it could impact operational efficiency. The good news is that today, there are options available that protect workers and machines while simultaneously ensuring proper operation and minimizing downtime. Contact an industrial equipment protection company for additional information.
