Machine Safety: Essential Strategies for a Secure Workplace

In settings like manufacturing plants or energy production facilities, the potential for accidents related to machinery operation, maintenance, or repair is a constant concern. Workers who interact with these machines, whether they are operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting them, face the inherent risk of getting caught in moving parts or entangled in the machinery. Such incidents can have serious consequences, including severe injuries, amputations, or even fatalities.

To avoid these incidents, it is therefore essential for workplaces to ensure strict machine safety measures are implemented and followed by personnel.

This article will delve into seven machine safety strategies aimed at promoting a safe and secure workplace. To illustrate these strategies in practical terms, we will also provide recommendations for products and solutions that can be instrumental in implementing these safety measures effectively.

7 Steps to Machine Safety

Machine safety is paramount in any workplace where machinery and equipment are used. Ensuring a secure workplace is not only crucial for the well-being of employees but also for the overall productivity and success of a business. Here are essential strategies for achieving machine safety in the workplace:

1. Risk Assessments:

• Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment for all machines and equipment. Identify potential hazards and assess their severity and likelihood.
• Prioritise risks based on the assessment results to focus resources on the most critical areas. 

2. Compliance with Regulations:

• Familiarise with local and national safety regulations and standards (e.g., OSHA in the United States, Machinery Directive in the European Union, HSE in the United Kingdom).
• Ensure that all machinery and equipment comply with these regulations.
• Regularly update machinery and equipment to meet evolving safety standards as needed.

3. Safety Training:

• Provide thorough training to employees on safe machine and equipment operation.
• Ensure employees understand the risks associated with their tasks and how to use protective measures and personal protective equipment (PPE) effectively. 

4. Machine Safeguarding:

• Install physical safeguards, including barriers such as the flexi-barrier and barrier signs, interlocks, and emergency stop buttons, to prevent access to hazardous machine parts during operation.
• Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of safeguards to ensure their ongoing effectiveness.

5. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Procedures:

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures are critical safety measures designed to protect workers from hazardous energy sources when machinery and equipment need maintenance or repair. Here's a more detailed explanation of these procedures:

• Purpose and Importance:

LOTO procedures aim to prevent unexpected energisation or start-up of machines during maintenance, servicing, or repair.

The primary goal is to eliminate the risk of injury or even fatalities that can occur when workers accidentally come into contact with moving parts or electrical sources while performing maintenance tasks.

• De-energisation and Isolation:

LOTO involves the complete de-energisation of machines by isolating them from their power sources. This includes shutting off electrical circuits, pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems, and other energy sources.

Lockout devices, such as safety padlocks, reusable cable lockouts, and hasps, are used to physically lock the machinery's power controls in the off position, preventing unauthorised reactivation.

• Tagout:

In addition to lockout devices, tagout procedures use warning tags and isolation labels to communicate the status of the equipment. These tags indicate that the equipment is under maintenance and should not be operated.

Safety Tags often include essential information, such as the name of the person performing the maintenance, the reason for the lockout/tagout, and contact information.

• Employee Training:

Rigorous training is essential for employees who will be involved in LOTO procedures.

Training should cover the identification of energy sources, proper lockout/tagout techniques, and the importance of adhering to established protocols.

Workers should also be educated on how to recognise and address potential hazards and how to respond in case of an emergency.

6. Safety Signage and Labels:

Clearly label machines with warnings, instructions, and hazard symbols.

Place safety signs in visible locations throughout the workplace to remind employees of safety procedures and potential dangers.

7. Regular Maintenance:

Establish and adhere to a maintenance schedule for all machinery and equipment.

Ensure that maintenance tasks are carried out by trained professionals to promptly address potential safety issues as they arise.

Create And Maintain a Safe Work Culture with REGALTAG

At REGALTAG, we provide tough workplace safety tagging and signage that meets all safety specifications and needs.

We believe every safety process is unique. That’s why all our solutions are completely customisable so you can ensure they’ll be most effective for you. Our designers can guide you through with up-to-date knowledge of industry best practices and thousands of tried and tested existing signs for inspiration.

The durability of your signs and tags is also important so that they always remain intact to carry out their important role. We provide a range of durable safety solutions fit for any conditions.

In our range of safety signs, and tags we offer:

• UV and fade resistance
• Freeze-proof
• Lightweight options
• 100% recyclable materials
• Scratch- and scuff-resistance
• Customisable

If you’d like to find out more about how we can help with your safety processes, contact our friendly team at REGALTAG® today. We’re more than happy to answer any questions you have and can guide you through each material option.