Tips in how you will succeed with your machine safety When faced with a hazard situation, machine designers often face the challenge  of finding a safety measure that is reasonably safe, functioning, efficient (does not hinder use or extend cycle time) and affordable (does not lead to sharp rise in cost). Sounds like “squaring a circle”. But it is not that difficult, just keep two targets in focus and you will succeed!

2 Sep 2021 • Machine guarding

Tips in how you will succeed with your machine safety

Follow an ALARP approach - Effort should be As Low As Reasonably Possible. Apply this to all of the aspects above, except the first.
Machine safety is primarily about sufficient risk reduction. Functionality, efficiency and cost are secondary. If you get these priorities up side down, it will result in unsafe machinery. 
Never compromise safety just to save cost or increase efficiency.

Do not violate the three basic rules of machine safety!

 

  1. Guarding. If there is a hazard from a moving part, hot surfaces, or electric discharge by contact, never allow people to contact the hazard involuntarily.

That is:

  • Do not allow hazardous moving parts to run openly.
  • Do not allow hot surfaces and live parts to be touchable.

In other words: put the lion in a cage – lock the hazard in (or people out). 

 

  1. Monitoring and interlocking. If you cannot follow the first rule, monitor the time interval at which people could contact the hazard source.

End the hazard before the person can come in contact with it:

  • Stop a moving part by detecting an approaching person by means of a lightbarrier, laser scanner, camera system, contact mat, ultrasound or infrared sensor etc.

 

In other words: put the lion to sleep with an anestetic shot, before it can eat the person.

Use sensors and the control system to monitor the presence of people or hazards (or both).

 

  1. Manual control. If you can not follow the first or the second rule, allow the person to contol the hazard. Where ever possible ensure that the person can end the hazard in time.

That is:

  • Make the person press one or two buttons to start and uphold a hazardous movement or situation. Place the button(s) outside the hazard area or at a safe distance, if possible. (Two buttons: two-hand control or start button plus enabling.)
  • Reduce the speed of movements so the person can still react and let go of the button(s).

In other words: make the person “tame” or remote control the lion.

How Axelent can help you

  • Safe machine design seminar
  • Coaching of risk assessment and safe design on site


For more details on selecting the right safety measures read our Safety Book and the “black” chapter BASIC RULES under “Criteria for selection of guards”.

We also have a practical guide on risk assessment, that explains on just 16 pages how to identify, evaluate and reduce risks. To get the guide – Contact your local sales person.

Related articles

Find more resources and Machine guarding

Axelent’s machine guard for monitored processes

When a process needs to be monitored then the windowed panel is the perfect solution 

How to install our different locks on our plastic and sheet metal panels

One critical aspect of machine guarding is the use of locks 

Quick and easy installation of our plastic and sheet metal panels as sliding door

Used where there is not enough space to open a side-hinged door

Quick and easy installation of our plastic and sheet metal panels as hinged door

The type of machine guarding panel to use depends on the specific application

Axelent Xperience

Visit our virtual showroom and experience our products in their right environment.

In our virtual showroom, you get to experience Axelent's range in its right environment, no matter where in the world you are. Explore our products by navigating between production, storage, warehousing, automated warehouse and dispatch. If something special catches your interest, just click on the product to find out more. Watch a movie, read an article and learn more! We think you will like it as much as we do!