Automation Canada Machine Safety Issue - 3

EDITORS NOTE:
MACHINE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
BY OWEN HURST
Machine Safety is something that is talked about quite a bit, and at
times is taken for granted, particularly as more advanced technology is
put in place to protect both equipment and personnel.
There is no question that machine safety starts at the machine, but that
is not where the journey begins for most newcomers to automation or
machine building. Today, learning about that technology and the
regulations around it begins at the education stage. Whether working
through engineering programs at university or focusing directly on a
trade certificate through college, learning about machine safety has
always been a part of the process. As the technology has advanced
substantially in recent years, the focus on learning about machine safety
has increased.
Whether it be someone working in a machine shop, with power tools,
or as an end-user around machines, the potential of risk is always
present from a variety of potential hazards. However, by utilizing best
practices and machine safety applications the risks can be greatly
reduced.
First and foremost is understanding that regulations and standards are
already in place to ensure safe working environments and to minimize
risk. There are several standards but a common one that is often
discussed in Ontario is the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act
and Regulations for Industrial Establishment (Reg. 851) as well as CSA
Standard Z432-04 (R2009) Safeguarding of Machinery. Comparable
safety acts and regs exist in every province in Canada.
Returning the point about learning machine safety guidelines as a
student, it's important to consider what are the risks are and if it's even
possible to generalize the various risks associated with machine
building and machine safety.
C A N A D I A N A U TO M AT I O N

I took a look at several machine safety courses offered across Canada
and a generalized list of hazards associated with machines does exist,
including:
* Hazards regarding ejected parts
* Contact or entanglement in machinery or material in motion
* Electrical hazards
* Chemical hazards
* Burns and cuts from venting or exhausting from the machine
* Noise
* Safe access
* Or generally the environment that a machine is placed within
The list above is quite general, certainly me or any professional that
has been in the field for anytime could add to that list, but it does
present a good starting point of those learning about machine safety.
Several other points are also discussed and stressed to students
considering a field that will place them within hazards regarding
machine building or machine use. One of these is understanding the
roles and responsibilities of all the players including supervisors,
managers, operators, builders and other staff that may not be directly
related to the machine build or operation but may at times come into
close proximity for other reasons.
To know your role and responsibility you first need to learn what is a
hazard and how to identify it. One Machine safety course we
considered provided this definition:
" A workplace hazard is any equipment, procedure, material,
environment or situation that may cause personal injury or illness, or
property damage. "
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6

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Automation Canada Machine Safety Issue

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