Principles, Standards and Implementation

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Safety Strategy

Safety Strategy

From a purely functional point of view the more efficiently a machine performs its task of processing material then the better it is. But, in order for a machine to be viable it must also be safe. Indeed safety must be regarded as a prime consideration.

In order to devise a proper safety strategy there must be two key steps, which work together as shown in Figure 11.

1.	RISK ASSESSMENT based on a clear understanding of the machine limits and functions and the tasks that may be required to be performed at the machine throughout its life.
2.	RISK REDUCTION is then performed if necessary and safety measures are selected based on the information derived from the risk assessment stage.

Figure 11: Safety Strategy

The manner in which this is done is the basis of the SAFETY STRATEGY for the machine.

We need a checklist to follow and ensure that all aspects are considered, and that the overriding principle does not become lost in the detail. The whole process should be documented. Not only will this ensure a more thorough job, but it will also make the results available for checking by other parties.

This section applies both to machine manufacturers and to machine users. The manufacturer needs to ensure that his machine is capable of being used safely. The risk assessment should be started at the machine design phase and it should take account of all the foreseeable tasks that will need to be performed on the machine. This task based approach at the early iterations of the risk assessment is very important. For example, there may be a regular need for adjustment of moving parts at the machine. At the design phase it should be possible to design in measures that will allow this process to be carried out safely. If it is missed at the early stage it may be difficult or impossible to implement at later stage. The result could be that the adjustment of moving parts still has to be performed but must be done in a manner that is either unsafe or inefficient (or both). A machine on which all tasks have been taken account of during the risk assessment will be a safer machine and a more efficient machine.

The user (or employer) needs to ensure that the machines in their working environment are safe. Even if a machine has been declared safe by the manufacturer, the machine user should still perform a risk assessment to determine whether the equipment is safe in their environment. Machines are often used in circumstances unforeseen by the manufacturer. For example, a milling machine used in a school workshop will need additional considerations to one that is used in an industrial tool room.

It should also be remembered that if a user company acquires two or more independent machines and integrates them into one process they are the manufacturer of the resulting combined machine.

So now let us consider the essential steps on the route to a proper safety strategy. The following can be applied to an existing factory installation or a single new machine.