Product category:
Machine Safety Components
News Release from: Pilz Automation Technology | Subject: Training for machinery safety
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 14 March 2003
The importance of training for machinery
safety
No one would consider using machinery or equipment without first ensuring that all those involved have received appropriate training.
No one would consider using machinery or equipment without first ensuring that all those involved have received appropriate training Indeed, there is usually a right way and a wrong way of doing almost anything, even at a most basic level - such as using a hammer
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 4 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Safety systems are put to the test
Pilz has developed a structured method for inspecting the safety-critical elements of plant and machinery to enable the suitability of the safety measures to be validated.
Courses cover safety standards and products
Having sold out many of its training courses during the first half of the year, Pilz Automation Technology has now published its course timetable for July to December 2008.
The importance of training increases in line with the sophistication and complexity of the equipment, and it is true to say that the equipment in factories today is more complex than ever.
In addition, we are living in an ever-more litigious society, and so industry is more aware of the need to provide necessary training.
It is therefore not surprising that product-specific training is recognised as essential for the efficient operation of any plant or factory, especially when investing in new equipment.
For new equipment it is possible to arrange for training with the equipment supplier prior to delivery.
If the supplier has its own training facilities, perhaps with exactly the same equipment as that being delivered, theoretical and hands-on training can be undertaken, enabling the purchased equipment to be put into production as soon as it is commissioned.
Further reading
Monitoring relays allow easy setup
Menu-driven parameter setting is easy, quick and error-proof thanks to the plain text display and a turn-and-click encoder.
Configurator upgrade provides new control options
Status is indicated via LEDs on the front of the analogue input module and, if installed, via the PVIS intelligent diagnostics system and a suitable Pilz display.
Safety consultancy handles varied needs
Pilz' competence management system means that it always knows exactly which of its engineers and consultants have the necessary skills.
Moreover, if operators and maintenance staff have already received training, the commissioning itself can run more smoothly and quickly.
Product-specific training can also be extremely useful in situations where a UK company is part of an international group and is required to service and support equipment in the UK that has originated from an overseas company within the group.
The overseas company may have used components with which the UK company is not familiar, yet a high level of support must be provided.
In this situation, suitable training can be used to provide the necessary competency.
Compared with studying only from manuals, it is far more effective to undertake product-specific training that allows hands-on experience to be gained with the actual components.
Furthermore, an experienced trainer will be able to explain the benefits of features and facilities that might not be immediately apparent to the trainee, ensuring a better understanding and more effective use of the equipment.
Depending on the equipment and the training required, the training may be undertaken at the trainee's site or off-site, perhaps at the supplier's facilities.
However, it is generally accepted that off-site training is beneficial because it takes the trainee away from the inevitable day-to-day distractions; if the trainee can concentrate on the training course, more information will be absorbed and retained, making the course more worthwhile in the long run.
Equipment distributors today offer a broader range of services to their customers and, in many cases, this includes product-specific training.
Previously it was only possible to obtain product-specific training from the equipment manufacturer, which implies that venues and flexibility were limited.
But with distributors now working harder to build closer relationships with their customers, there is now a wider choice.
Thanks to the widespread adoption of quality assurance schemes and initiatives such as Investors in People, the value of training is now being better appreciated by UK manufacturers.
Some managers, nevertheless, still have to argue strongly to obtain training budgets and arrange employee time out to enable training to take place.
Conscientious employers will be keen to provide their staff with the skills and competencies necessary and, in addition, the HSE is now undertaking a name-and-shame campaign of which companies will not wish to fall foul.
Furthermore, there are several other arguments in favour of training.
For a start, operators and maintenance staff who are fully trained in how to use a piece of equipment will be far quicker at fault-finding if a problem arises.
When the cost of downtime and lost production is considered, it will soon be realised what good value a training course can be.
In addition, training helps operators and maintenance staff to use equipment to the full.
And if equipment is being used to the full, it will be more efficient and will allow more revenue to be earned - which, in the long run, will far outweigh the cost of any training.
Pilz Automation, well known for its range of machinery and process safety-related products, offers a programme of cost-effective training courses throughout the year, and customer-specific courses can be tailored as well.
Alternatively, Pilz's training courses are available through distributors around the country.
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