FEATURE Machine Safetyy
The new meaning of machine safety
Machine safety takes on a slightly new meaning in the post Covid-19 times, says Paul McFadyen, Managing Director of metals4U
B
y this point, the eff ects of Coronavirus on the manufacturing industry are widely known. Months of
lockdown, combined with the need to adapt to the new measures implemented in the wake of the virus such as social distancing, have meant that the industry has suff ered from a slump in work, as well as a decline in overall workplace effi ciency. Since lockdown restrictions began to ease in May in the UK, manufacturing has seen a gradual recovery, with the latest fi gures showing that production increased by 6.3% in July, the largest monthly increase in the entire sector. However, there is no doubt that whatever happens in the future, the industry will have to contend with and abide by strict regulations governing how a workplace can operate.
New safety meanings It is for this reason that familiar terms, such as “machine safety”, have expanded to take on new meanings and considerations beyond those that manufacturers have been applying for decades. Suddenly, employers are required to consider concepts such as social distancing and hygiene, alongside the established Provision and Use of Workplace Equipment Regulations (PUWER), to protect their workforce. Of course, considerations and
requirements will vary from company to company and are dependent on a number of factors, ranging from the size of the workforce and workspace, to the nature of the machinery and equipment used, and even down to the particular industry. Businesses that rely largely on automated equipment, for example, will have very diff erent considerations than those who rely on manual machine operators, while companies with a larger workspace should fi nd it easier to employ social-distancing measures than those with smaller facilities.
Good hygiene practices Employers have always had to consider hygiene in the workplace, but now more than ever it has taken on greater importance and has a more signifi cant impact on employee wellbeing. Employers
16 October 2020 | Automation
Sanitiser stations should be easily accessible, especially near areas that experience increased hand contact
have a duty to provide extensive hygiene measures for the workforce, ranging from easily available and accessible hand-wash stations, to regular and thorough cleaning of the entire facility and all its equipment. It goes without saying that manufacturers should ensure hand- washing facilities and sanitiser stations are easily accessible throughout the entire premises, especially near areas that experience increased hand contact, such as doors, workstations and control panels. If possible, companies should also consider additional measures, such as paying for an increased level of professional cleaning, or restricting the number of workers required to operate diff erent pieces of machinery, to reduce the chances of cross-contamination and viral transmission.
Companies will also need to ensure that employees are provided with adequate PPE. This is nothing new for machine usage, as protective equipment has long been a health and safety requirement when operating machinery. However, employers may now need to consider whether they will need to invest in new types of safety equipment, and which types of PPE are best for the job at hand. For example, certain face masks may actually increase the risk of injury for employees using machinery as they can cause safety glasses to steam up and restrict visibility. Investing in good quality face masks that can be worn in conjunction with eye protection, or even
full-face shields, is essential to protect the workforce whilst adhering to the new regulations. Employees should always have access to their own PPE, if this is not already the case. Alternatively, the implementation of social distancing measures in the workplace can help to resolve any issues with PPE by allowing some workers to use machinery without needing a face mask. As long as there are no other employees within close proximity, a mask is not required. Restricting the number of workers using pieces of equipment will also help with this.
Guaranteed safety
It would not be accurate to say that Coronavirus has changed the meaning of machine safety for manufacturers, as the same risks are still present, and so the same procedures should still be followed; however, the meaning has been changed by the circumstances that we now fi nd ourselves in. Hygiene and social- distancing measures have taken a new prominence at the forefront of workplace health and safety, and employers now face the challenge of adapting their practices to conform to the new regulations and guarantee the safety of their workforce.
CONTACT:
metals4U
www.metals4u.co.uk
automationmagazine.co.uk
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