How to ensure compliance
May 1st 2004 David Teulon, MD of Troax UK looks at how to negotiate your way through the regulations regarding dangerous machinery in the workplace
The increase in Health & Safety legislation and EU Directives and Norms, is of course designed to increase personnel safety in factories, particularly where staff work alongside potentially hazardous automated equipment. But Health and Safety is a complex area. Employers have a Duty of Care to their staff and if regulations are flagrantly breached, for example if appropriate machine guarding systems are not in place, employers are liable to be sued in the event of an accident and are also likely to see their liability insurance premiums increase, or even have cover refused.
The Machinery Directive (98/37/EC) defines the parameters of how personnel should be protected from dangerous equipment. In addition there are a variety of European standards for the safety of machinery covering different hazards as well as different specific types of equipment. For example European Norm EN1050 covers the principles of risk assessment whilst EN692 and 693 refer specifically to the safety needs for presses and shearing equipment.
So how can manufacturers keep ahead of this myriad of regulations and recommendations?
Some companies now outsource this aspect of their business, employing a specialist consultant to carry out risk assessments to minimise potential dangers involved in operating machinery. This can ensure a safe working environment and if carried out correctly it will go beyond identifying dangerous machinery and simply installing barriers to keep people out.
While a Risk Assessment is an integral part of the design of a production line it is also a requirement of the Machinery Directive. Essentially risk assessment is a sequence, that enables dangers caused by machines to be methodically investigated, this is followed by measures to reduce and/or eliminate the risks identified. The process begins with an analysis of the machine itself. Where are the machines known danger points? How is it operated and what are its limits?
There is a full assessment of risks involved in operating the machinery. What can go wrong? How could operators cut corners? This can range from not replacing machine guard panels to cases where operators are known to climb over machinery to reach controls or maintenance points. After identifying the systems weak points, its possible to estimate the consequences. What types of injury could be caused and how severe could these be? Finally, how can these events be avoided or minimised? Its not enough to put up warning signs such as Do not enter to advise against certain actions. Safety systems must be installed to ensure that personnel cannot enter the guarded area until it is safe.
A machine guarding system must keep people out of danger zones and to be practical it often needs to be quick and simple to install and demount, allowing fast access to guarded areas for maintenance or repair work. A variety of systems can meet these criteria but to comply with the Machinery Directive and EN292 a crucial design element must be included. A special tool is needed to unlock and remove panelling so that the guarded area cannot be accessed by simply anyone. Guarding systems like the Troax Rapid Fix ensures compliance. The panels are removed using an Allen key and remain in situ on the adjoining mullion posts until lifted out.
It is easy to underestimate the importance of the height of machine fencing and the opening size of the mesh itself. These issues are covered largely by EN 294. Machine guard panels must be high enough to prevent people from climbing or leaning over them to reach the danger zone. Equally, the mesh size must be small enough to stop an adult putting their hand through and also to meet minimum safety distance requirements. Troax can provide a calculation tool to ensure compliance with the norm EN294.
Closing and locking systems are critical elements to ensure a compliant machine guarding system and sometimes safety is overlooked inadvertently by the habitual use of common locking devices. Mechanical closing systems such as the Troax Safe Lock are vital to restrict access to a guarded area and prevent unauthorised operation of machinery. Integral safety features de-activate equipment before access is possible and ensure that personnel cannot become trapped in a guarded zone. If the machine requires a run down time, the system ensures that this is completed before the area can be accessed. The Troax Safe Lock has an integral anti-entrapment device and complies with EN294-1 and EN1088. More articles from Troax (UK) Limited: | 
