[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” background_enable_image=”off” custom_padding=”24px|0px|50px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”27px|0px|55px|0px|false|false” border_color_bottom=”rgba(118,119,122,0.24)” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”6px” _builder_version=”4.16″ max_width=”70px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Post content” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Machine safety risk assessments are vital for all industries that use machinery. Manufacturing and processing companies are key businesses that need rigorous machine safety standards – regular checks of new and legacy equipment is paramount for the ongoing safety of the people who work with these machines in these workplaces. A key element of a machine safety risk assessment is ensuring that machine guards are in place to protect the people working on those machines – that they provide adequate protection against machinery hazards and are regularly checked to ensure safeguards remain in place.<\/p>\n
WorkSafe provides clear guidelines for machine safety<\/a>, in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and regulations. Senior executives and directors of manufacturing and processing businesses need to programme in and resource regular, timely and robust machine safety risk assessments to ensure their machine operators and other employees are safe at all times. Machine safety non-compliance has hefty fines<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite regulations, accidents involving machinery continue to happen in Australian and New Zealand workplaces. Lack of or insufficient machine guarding was the cause of these recent incidents:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”6px” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”200px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||2px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tegrisk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TEG-Risk-Guarding-2.png” alt=”Man in safety equipment walking on factory floor” title_text=”TEG Risk Guarding (2)” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Post content” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n WorkSafe defines two types of machine guarding<\/a> – guards that isolate or minimise a machine hazard.<\/p>\n Machine guards that isolate a machine hazard can be fixed (permanent or removable), or interlocked. An interlocked guard ensures that the machine is powered down when the guard is opened. Trip guards can also be set up to cut power to a machine when a certain area of the machine is accessed.<\/p>\n If a machine hazard cannot be eliminated or isolated, assessment can be undertaken to minimise the machine hazard. These types of machine guards include push away guards, two hand controls, pressure sensitive mats (machine is powered down if a sensitive area is stepped on), physically locked guards and gates, manually adjustable guards, emergency stop devices and lock out systems.<\/p>\n According to Worksafe<\/a> ALL machinery is \u2018reviewed against AS\/NZS 4024 or machine specific standards for that piece of machinery, this includes newly purchased\/imported machinery, old machinery or retrofitted machinery\u2019. The standards remain the same regardless of the age of the machine. This means if the machine was originally designed in a way that doesn\u2019t meet current safety standards it must be retrofitted to meet the standard, unless that is not reasonably practicable – which is a high bar – and if its safety guard is outdated this must be upgraded to ensure that machinery is compliant.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tegrisk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/TEG-Risk-Guarding-1.png” alt=”manufacturing worker with safety equipment on” title_text=”TEG Risk Guarding (1)” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Post content” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n As experienced consultants in machine safety risk assessments, we wanted to share some of our top Machine Guarding Tips. This does not remove the need for a comprehensive workplace risk assessment as that is the foundation step, but should serve as a checklist that the professional risk assessment you commission is covering off key machine guarding aspects to keep your employees safe.<\/p>\n 1. Machine Safety Risk Assessment<\/p>\n Many workplaces use internal teams to facilitate this process. There can be a lot of value in getting an external independent consultant to conduct this process for you, as they can use their extensive knowledge and experience to ensure your machinery is up to current safety standards. If you have the internal competence to lead your own risk assessments, some useful tips for risk assessments include:<\/p>\n 2. Implementing remedial safeguarding work<\/p>\n If machine guards are needed, take time to ensure you implement the right options in the right way. Some useful tips for machine guard implementation includes:<\/p>\n 3. During and after fabrication and installation of machine guards<\/p>\n Checks by experienced team members remain crucial during this phase. Our top tips for fabrication and installation include:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Post content” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\n
What is Machine Guarding?\u200b<\/h2>\n
Machine Guarding Tips<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n