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Cut out the noise
Michael Brown from safety, security and manual handling equipment specialist, Metal and Modular, discusses the need to reduce exposure to noise, airborne particles and vibration at installation sites
F
rom lengths of copper or plastic pipe, to wood and fibreboard for boxing in, heating and plumbing professionals often need to cut materials to size on site to ensure an accurate fit. Often site measurements differ from the drawings and a congested void may require some creative thinking to route services, so having the right equipment on site to cut accurately and safely is important. Cutting stations are the essential piece of equipment for this, but there are some health and safety considerations that have been overlooked in standard cutting station designs. But now, Metal and Modular has designed its Cutting Station with some additional safety measures.
Thinking beyond the guidelines
The problem with standard cutting stations is that their design does not take into account the noise levels or the potential inhalation of airborne dust, shavings or filings for operatives working in the vicinity.
The HSE has clear, non-mandatory safety guidelines for the use of noisy equipment on site, which stipulate safe working limits of up to eight hours using equipment involving noise of up to 100 decibels. This safe working time figure dramatically decreases as the decibel level increases, with operatives only expected to work for a maximum of two hours at 120 decibels.
These guidelines are widely adhered to, however there are none in place to protect workers in the vicinity and no British Standard for cutting stations.
Innovation in design
Independently tested to verify its performance, the Metal and Modular Cutting Station is said to reduce
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the noise of using cutting equipment from 100 decibels to just 78 decibels for the operator, ensuring that it is suitable for up to eight hours of continuous use within the HSE’s safe working limits. Significantly, it also provides a noise profile of 73 decibels for anyone situated to the side of the unit and 70 decibels to the rear, at a distance of just one metre. This means that the noise levels in close proximity to the Cutting Station are within safe working limits. The units are available in two sizes; an industry- standard 1200mm unit, and a compact 900mm unit, which can be manoeuvred easily through doorways and has been designed with an optimised layout to maximise the usable space and provide comfort and practicality. Both sizes can be supplied with heavy-duty, fire retardant curtains, which give the unit additional acoustic shielding. Non-combustible
acoustic foam has also been built into the unit to helps absorb noise.
Dust and vibration can also affect heating and plumbing professionals using the equipment and within the vicinity.
To counter this, anti-vibration matting has been built into the Metal and Modular Cutting Station unit and a dust extraction mechanism limits the risk of breathing in airborne particles for both the operator and those working close by.
Raising Standards
Good safety behaviours are fundamental to managing hazards on site, but using equipment that reduces the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, respiratory conditions and vibration is also essential.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
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