Automation Canada Machine Safety Issue - 13

MACHINE SAFETY:
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO IDENTIFY,
ASSESS AND CONTROL SAFETY HAZARDS
BY BLAKE MARCHAND

Omron Automation is a company with safety ingrained in its DNA. In
fact, the first product developed was an electronic timer for early X-ray
machines designed to protect patients from excessive radiation
exposure. Since 1933, that sense of social responsibility remains a core
aspect of their culture.
However, the true value Omron brings extends further than products.
With respect to machine safety, Omron is uniquely positioned as a
trusted partner and solutions provider, offering a comprehensive
portfolio ranging from product, training, and risk assessments to the
design of safety solutions. This is where their social responsibility culture
plays a big role. Prioritizing safety over product sales, results in a
high-level of trust with their clients. And because they design and
manufacture over 35,000 SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) for safety alone,
they are deeply ingrained in the technology and standard
development.
Mohammad El-Naji, Safety Sales Specialist for Omron, says that our
primary focus is to ensure clients have a compliant solution that protects
workers and optimizes production, and that does not always mean with
Omron products. This approach establishes confidence with our clients
that carry that into a trusting relationship that they foster with their
customers. " We're not just selling products, we're selling a solution, "
noted Mohammad El-Naji.
" Omron offers a comprehensive portfolio, " explained Dr. Todd
Mason-Darnell, Safety Products and Services, Omron Americas,
discussing what Omron offers from a safety perspective, " we are an
authorized training partner with TUV Rheinland, we also have specific
trainings on different regional standards. Moving beyond standards,
C A N A D I A N A U TO M AT I O N

we offer risk assessments. We have internal safety engineering teams
that can design safety solutions and retrofits for existing equipment, as
well as work with customers when they are designing new equipment.
Then, finally, we have the capability in house to go out and retrofit safety
onto customer's existing equipment. "
Nearly everything is done in house. Which has an impact on their
ability to ensure everything is undertaken at a high quality with high
levels of efficiency, collaboration, and integration. When it comes to
solutions, troubleshooting, and their products; there is not a question
they can't answer.
Their professionals, like El-Naji, sit on standard committees for CSA,
RIA, ANSI and the various organizations relevant to the markets they
serve around the world. They have 70 employees that sit on standards
development committees and employ over 50 TUV certified engineers
in the field. Including one of 33 certified TUV Rheinland Functional
Safety experts around the world.
In Canada, they have two safety professionals that sit on 5
committees, Mohammad sits on three for CSA.
That commitment to the regulatory side of the industry is reflected in
their product offerings.
" As an OEM for safety equipment we get pretty embedded in the
safety standards and safety requirements, driven not only by the current
rules and regulations, but also what's coming, " said Mason-Darnell.
Omron designs over 90% of the safety products they sell, coming
from their extensive safety R&D teams in Japan, California, and Europe.
They are always in consultation with people in the standards
community, so they know what's coming out ahead of time.
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6

13
https://automation.omron.com/en/ca/
Automation Canada Machine Safety Issue

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