Product category:
Machine Safety Components
News Release from: Procter Machine Guarding | Subject: Temporary guards
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 07 May 2004
Temporary guards provide short-term
protection
During the construction, installation, commissioning, maintenance or modification of machinery, temporary guards can provide the necessary protection in an easy, cost-effective manner.
During the construction, installation, commissioning, maintenance or modification of machinery, it is often necessary to remove some or all of the guarding so as to gain adequate access If the machinery is to be operated, even at a reduced speed or in jog mode, there is a need to protect personnel in the vicinity of the machine who are not directly involved in the work being carried out
In some cases, such as machinery with sharp blades, significant hazards can exist whether or not the machine is isolated from the power supply.
As an aside, between 1993 and 1999 there were 122 fatal accidents at machinery, of which 50 per cent were associated with maintenance.
There is one solution to this problem that is rapidly gaining popularity among machine builders, installers, contractors, maintenance managers and safety officers: temporary guarding that can be quickly and easily erected around virtually any hazard, then removed just as quickly when it is no longer required.
Procter Machinery Guarding offers just such a system with components that are compact, lightweight and portable so that they can be easily stored, transported and erected by one person, but rugged enough that they will provide the necessary protection and can be reused time and again.
Each freestanding panel consists of a rigid tubular framework with welded mesh infill, together with hooks on one end and sockets on the opposite end so that each panel can be linked to its neighbour.
Long straight runs of panels can be assembled with the broad-based foot on each panel ensuring stability, or the panels can be linked together at any angle to form an enclosure.
Once the panels are in place, they are secured to each other with heavy-duty cable ties.
Standard panels are 1200mm wide and are available either 1400mm or 2000mm tall.
Although the usual colour is a high-visibility yellow, panels in alternative colours can be produced to order.
Gate modules provide access to the enclosed area and are of similar construction to the panels but with a hinged gate 1000mm wide.
A padlock facility is provided to ensure that only authorised personnel can access the hazardous area.
In addition to the standard panels and gates described above, Procter Machinery Guarding can also provide other components and accessories to the customer's specification.
Typical examples include: panels of different height or width; panels with clear polycarbonate infill; simple brackets that enable the temporary screen to be built out from a wall; or adapters that allow three or more panels to meet at one point.
A significant proportion of machinery-related accidents occur during installation, commissioning, maintenance or modification, so it is essential to take appropriate steps to limit access to authorised personnel only.
Temporary screens are a simple, quick, cost-effective solution that provide improved safety but without hindering the work taking place.
For more information about the temporary screen system from Procter Machinery Guarding, please contact the company directly or look at the 'Products' section of the website. Request a free brochure from Procter Machine Guarding ...
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