Safeguard your employees against machines

Omron, a leader in industrial automation, explains why machine safeguarding measurements are essential.  

Safety in the workplace is paramount in South Africa, which in 1993 promulgated the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85, 1993 (OHSA). This comprehensive Act consists of no less than 50 sections approved by Parliament. Its sole purpose is to provide for the health and safety of people at work, including the interactions workers have with machinery (including robots and cobots) when completing the job at hand.

Moving machine parts have the potential to cause severe workplace disabilities, such as amputations, debilitating burns, or blindness. Omron believes that machine safeguarding is essential to protect workers from preventable injuries. Any machine part, function, or process that poses any risk must be safeguarded. When the operation of a machine – or in some cases, even accidental contact – injures the operator or others in the vicinity, the hazards must be eliminated. 

A machine safeguarding evaluation is the first step towards ensuring that all machines are safe to operate. These assessments are essential because they assist in identifying and minimising machine-related risks, which in turn prevents workplace accidents. The evaluation includes ensuring that machine guards and other safety features are functioning properly and according to applicable laws and regulations.

The evaluation can take as little as 45 minutes per machine and the comprehensive report will indicate where adjustments concerning safety should be made. Omron is convinced that machine safeguarding assessments are critical to business operations. Here’s why:

Protecting your biggest assets – your workers: A machine safeguarding assessment helps to identify potential hazards and risks associated with the use of machinery and equipment during operation. Implementing appropriate machine guarding measures protects workers from injuries.

Legal compliance: The strict regulations and standards set by the OHSA and other regulatory bodies do require machine guarding. Failure to comply with regulations can result in fines, legal penalties, and irreparable damage to a company’s reputation. In severe cases, non-compliance with OHSA can result in the complete shutdown of operations.

Improving efficiency and cost saving: A machine safeguarding evaluation will reduce downtime caused by safety incidents, increasing productivity and efficiency. A safer workplace also increases staff morale. Injuries and accidents caused by machinery result in significant costs associated with medical expenses, workers’ compensation claims, and lost productivity. Proper machine guarding will help prevent unnecessary costs.

Managing the risk: Information gained from a machine safeguarding assessment can be used to develop risk management strategies that help minimise risk and improve workplace safety.

Omron-certified safety and risk consultants work off a checklist to evaluate potential hazards. This checklist is an imperative tool in the evaluation of workplace and equipment safety, and consists of the following key points:

• The identification of potential hazards, including pinch points, moving parts, and sharp edges in the workspace.
• The assessment of guarding requirements and safety devices for each piece of machinery and equipment used. The assessment is done in line with the OHSA and will ensure compliance when met. This includes checking that devices such as interlocks, emergency stop buttons, and safety curtains are in place and functioning correctly.
• The evaluation of worker safety training around machinery that is operated while completing tasks. This will include the application of the current procedures that are in place and recommendations should adjustments need to be made.
• Final maintenance inspection includes checking if the machinery is in safe, good, working order. Machinery should be properly maintained and inspected regularly, to ensure that it complies with the OHSA and regulations set out by governing bodies.

The safety report highlights areas where more in-depth reviews are necessary and is supported by a comprehensive risk score analysis. The certified safety and risk consultant visually inspects every single machine and piece of equipment and a consultation is done with operators and managers on how the machine is operated daily. The company is then supplied with a detailed formal written report. This contains the status and fitness for use of all machinery, including hazards present and the occurrence of each hazard. This indicates the overall level of danger that each piece of equipment presents to workers and operators. 

Ensuring the safety of employees is invaluable: it is not only a legal obligation but also a paramount concern for any business. While employees can be replaced, the loss of a loved one due to a preventable workplace accident is irreparable. Despite the implementation of robust safety measures, accidents may still occur. Therefore, companies must prioritise diligence in safeguarding their workers. 

To conduct a thorough machine safeguarding evaluation, reach out to your local Omron representative. By doing so, you can protect lives, reduce costs, and maintain compliance.