Safety in the workplace is paramount in South Africa. In 1993, the country promulgated the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85, 1993 (OHSA). This comprehensive act consists of no less than 50 sections approved by Parliament.
The sole purpose of the Act 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 has the potential to cause severe workplace disabilities, such as amputations, debilitating burns, or blindness.
Omron believes that machine safeguarding is essential for protecting workers from preventable injuries and that 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 believes that machine-safeguarding assessments are essential to business operations. And here’s why:
Protecting your biggest assets. A Machine machine-safeguarding assessment assists in identifying potential hazards and risks associated with the use of machinery and equipment during operation. By implementing appropriate machine-guarding measures, workers are protected from injuries.
Legal Compliance. The strict regulations and standards set by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85, 1993) 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. Non-compliance with OHSA can, in severe cases, cause 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 as 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. A machine guarding assessment helps companies identify potential hazards and risks associated with their machinery and equipment. This information can be used to develop risk management strategies that help minimise risk and improve workplace safety.
An Omron-certified safety and risk consultant works off a checklist to evaluate potential hazards. This checklist is an imperative tool in the evaluation of workplace and equipment safety. This checklist 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 OHASA 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 during the fulfilment of tasks. This will include the application of the current procedures in place, and recommendations should adjustments need to be made.
- Final maintenance inspection includes checking if the machinery is in a safe, good working order. Machinery should be properly maintained and inspected regularly to ensure that it complies with OHASA and regulations set out by governing bodies.
The safety report will highlight 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 report contains the status of all machinery and their fitness for use, 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. 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.
Cezanne Gonsior
Omron Electronics (Pty) Ltd
Tel. +27 76 062 8668
Cezanne.gonsior@omron.com
www.industrial.omron.co.za
