Safeguards on machines are important. But what happens when safety devices themselves become a problem? A new DGUV film, addressed to manufacturers of machines and systems, highlights the challenges associated with defeated safeguards.
People working on machinery are exposed to hazards from the machinery itself. Safety devices are designed to minimise these risks. Unfortunately, despite the risk involved, these devices are repeatedly dismantled, bypassed or otherwise rendered ineffective. Experts estimate that one in four machines has its safety devices defeated. This leads to thousands of accidents.
The defeat of safeguards is often related to deficiencies in the machine's safety design, which is not tailored to the machine's operability. Maintenance, set-up, troubleshooting or cleaning of the machine is made difficult or even impossible by the guard. This creates a strong incentive for people working with such machines to defeat them.
Manufacturers have a legal obligation to place only safe machines on the market. Machines with a high incentive to defeat are not considered safe and must not be operated due to the increased risk.
This film highlights these issues and provides suggestions on how manufacturers can ensure that their machines do not provide an additional incentive to defeat.
To find out more:
https://www.safe-machines-at-work.org/stop-defeating
https://www.tube.dguv.de/channel/95986/unfallverhuetung/1/355VBD72axXg47WqAFF34w