Workplace Safety: Hazards, Risks & Machine Protection

Posted on Mar 4, 2025 in Business Administration and Innovation Management

Workplace Safety: Understanding Hazards and Risks

1. Factors Causing Work Accidents

Work accidents can be caused by a combination of factors, broadly categorized as:

  • Human Factors:
    • Failure to follow procedures, routine tasks, and underestimation of risk.
    • Lack of attention due to fatigue or stress.
    • Inefficient maintenance practices.
  • Machine-Related Factors:
    • Incorrect or malfunctioning safety devices.
    • Risks inherent in the machine’s design (especially start/stop mechanisms).
    • Defects in machine design.
  • Installation-Related Factors:
    • Material flow between machines.
    • Movement of people around machines.

2. Aspects of Overall Machine Safety

The overall safety of a machine encompasses four key aspects:

  • Design and construction
  • Installation and setup
  • Operation
  • Maintenance

3. Understanding Risk and Risk Classification

Risk: A dangerous situation presenting a factor that can cause injury or threaten a person’s health.

Risk Classification:

  • Mechanical: Crushing, trapping, shearing, sectioning/cutting, blowout, friction/abrasion, impact, adhesion.
  • Electrical: Short circuit, direct contact, indirect contact, electrostatic phenomena.
  • Physical-Chemical: Thermal (burns), fire, explosion, radiation, biological, noise, vibration, fluid projection.
  • Ergonomic: Physiological postural hazards, psychological mental strain.

4. Phases of Risk Assessment for a Machine

Risk assessment involves the following phases:

  • Understanding the machine, its intended use, and its overall environment.
  • Assessing the risks.
  • Eliminating or reducing the identified risks.

5. Mission and Protection of a Safety Device

A safety device’s mission is to protect the operator or anyone interacting with the machine. It safeguards operators, maintenance personnel, and individuals working near the machine.

6. Understanding Guards and Fixed Guard Types

Guard: Items used to protect the operator by creating a physical barrier. They are named according to their shape: cover, screen, frame, surround, guard gate, etc.

Fixed Guard: Secured by welding or screws. Types include:

  • Surrounding: Prevents access to the danger zone through confinement.
  • Spacers: Limit access based on their dimensions and distance from the hazard.

7. Sensitive Edges and Their Applications

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Sensitive Rim Connections:

  1. Non-Standard Series: Normal connection.
  2. Connection Option: Parallel: Connecting two sides (maximum). It reacts to a pressure of 10 Newtons applied in that direction.

8. Sensitive Mats and Practical Applications

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The mat has two sensitive sides with anti-slip properties on top, facilitating cleaning and hygienic applications. Dimensions are up to 4.5m per side. When the mat is used, separators retract, allowing contact between the plates.

9. Intangible Safety Barriers and Industrial Applications

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An intangible safety barrier consists of a system with photoelectric detectors that detect the presence of a light beam. This defines a protected area between the transmitter and receiver. Entering this area disrupts the light beam, and the system detects it. It can be applied for detecting fingers and hands or a person’s body.