Safety

Safety is the most important aspect of your automation equipment. While we realize that you will justify the acquisition of new automation equipment based upon efficiency, no amount of increased efficiency can overcome the consequences of unsafe equipment.

Project Automation always includes a safety review within equipment design.  Additionally, we review with each client the safety aspects of the installation process and ensure safety is an integral part of the commissioning of each system.

To assist in preparation for new automated systems, ask yourself these questions;

Equipment Guarding

  • Do the proposed safeguards meet OSHA requirements?

  • Do the proposed safeguards prevent workers' hands, arms and other body parts from making contact with moving parts?

  • Are the proposed safeguards firmly secured?

  • Do the proposed safeguards ensure that no object will fall into the moving parts?

  • Do the proposed safeguards permit safe, comfortable and relatively easy operation of the equipment?

  • Can the equipment be lubricated without removing the safeguard?

  • Does the proposed safeguard ensure the equipment is shut down and cannot be restarted when the safeguard is removed?

  • In the interest of best practice, how could the proposed safeguards be improved?

  • Do the proposed safeguards include all options for the equipment, including all auxiliary parts?
 

 

Equipment Operation

 •

 Is obvious evidence available that the safeguard has been tampered with or removed?
 • Are there any unguarded gears, sprockets, pulleys or flywheels on the equipment?
 • Are there any exposed belts or chains on the equipment?
 • Are there any exposed set screws, key ways, collars, etc. on the equipment?
 • Are Start/ Stop controls within easy reach of the operator?
 • Are there separate controls if more than 1 operator is involved?

Non-Mechanical Safety Issues

 •

 Have appropriate measures bee taken to safeguard workers against noise hazards?
 • Have special safeguards, enclosures, protective equipment, etc. been provided to protect workers from harmful substances?
 • Will protective clothing be required when positioned near the equipment?
 • Can the equipment be installed in compliance with all appropriate Fire Protection standards?
 •

When installed with the equipment be properly grounded?
 • When installed with the equipment be properly fused and surge protected

Safety Training

 •

 What procedures will be put in place to ensure  all operators and maintenance workers receive necessary training?
 •

What procedures will be put in place to ensure operators and maintenance workers receive necessary training concerning safe removal of guarding?
 • What procedures will be put in place to ensure operators and maintenance workers have procedures to fallow in the event of any safeguard becoming damaged, missing, misplaced or otherwise malfunctioning?
 • Are appropriate warning signs in place to prevent advancing without protective clothing?

Maintenance Safety

 •

 Will an appropriate lockout procedure be in place whenever maintenance workers service the equipment?
 • Will multiple lockout devices be used when multiple maintenance workers service the equipment?
 • What procedures will be put in place to ensure that all maintenance workers are trained in lockout/ tagout operation before they attempt any maintenance task?

On-Going Safety Review

  • What procedures will be put in place to ensure that safety procedures and safeguard equipment is regularly reviewed and training updated?

Only after all of the above questions have been adequately answered can Project Automation develop an effective installation and commissioning program.
 

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