COMMON SAFETY METHODS IN INDUSTRIES: Safety by construction or design, Safety by position, Safety by using fixed guards, Safety by using interlock guards, Safety by using automatic guards, Safety by using trip guards, Safety by using distance guards, Safety by workplace layout and proper working conditions

COMMON
SAFTY
METHODS


The common methods of safety are as follows:

1.ย Safety by construction or design.

2.ย Safety by position.

3.ย Safety by using fixed guards.

4.ย Safety by using interlock
guards.

5.ย Safety by using automatic guards.

6.ย Safety by using trip guards.

7.ย Safety by using distance guards.

8.ย Safety by workplace layout
and proper working
conditions.

9.ย Safety by proper material handling.

10.ย Safety by using personal
protective devices.

Few of the above methods of safety are discussed as
under.


Safety by Construction

Whenever the new tools, devices, equipments
and machine are designed, they should be ensured that all their dangerous parts
are either enclosed in suitable housings or provided with suitably designed
safety guards in order to eliminate any chances of danger that could occur due
to exposure of the dangerous
parts. A
common example involve belt drive
and motor
in a in drilling machine, lathe, milling or in other machines are enclosed, the
back gears and tumbler gears in a lathe are either enclosed or provided with
cast iron guards or covers. All control levers and handles of machines should
be carefully located to ensure adequate safety in their operation.
Generally, lubricating points are provided
on the outer surface
that the interior parts
are not required
to be opened every now and then.


Safety by Position

The main principle involved in the method for
safety by position is to design the machine in such a way that the dangerous
parts are so located or placed that they are always beyond reach of the
operator. It is therefore always advisable that all the dangerous parts of the
machine should invariably be guarded or enclosed in the body or housing of the
machines asย 
far the design conditions permit. If it is not
possible suitable external fencings must be incorporated suitably.

Safety by Using Fixed Guards

Such fixed guards either form an integral part
of the machine or are so tightly secured to them that they are not easily
removable. In all cases, fixed guards are developed to have a robust and rigid
construction and they should be so placed that any access to the dangerous
parts of the machine is totally prevented from all directions particularly in
the running condition of the machines. Fixed guards adjusted in position remain
fixed and they are neither moved nor detached. In some cases the fixed guards are
provided at a distance from the danger point. Such a provision will carry a
remote feeding arrangement and, therefore, the operator will not be required to
go near the dangerous points.


ย Safety by Using Interlock
Guards

An interlocking guard may be mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or some sort of a combination of these. Such guards cannot
be removed and the dangerous parts are not exposed until
and unless the machine is totally stopped. Similarly, the machine cannot be started to work unless the guards return in position and protects the dangerous
parts. It is essential that such guards
should always
acquire their positions to guard the dangerous parts before the machine
can be started,. Such arrangements prevent the starting and operation of the
machine in case the
interlocking device
fails
and remain closed in position until the dangerous part is completely
at rest. Scotch interlocking and control interlocking designs of these
guards are common used to protect accidents. The former interlocking consists
of a solid metal piece, called
scotch connected
to it which is so located that it remains between two moving parts of the
machine. This prevents the machine from starting so long as the same is not
removed and the guard brought in proper position for protection. The latter
comprises of the movable portion of
the guard
as connected to some starting device or mechanism of the machine viz., fast and
loose pulleys, clutch, starter of the motor or tile hydraulic valve, etc. This
connection is made in such a way that it will not allow the operation of the
said device or mechanism until
and unless
the guard is brought in protecting position, which automatically enables its
removal from
that position
from where it prevents the operation of the starting
mechanism.


ย Safety by Using Automatic
Guards

The main principle of an automatic guard is
that its operation is actuated by some
moving
part of the machine. Automatic
guard and
machine operation is so
linked that the part will automatically bring the guard in protecting position
before the operation of the machine starts. The design of this guard is of such
a kind that it automatically forces the operator to move away from the
dangerous area of work before the operation starts. Such arrangement
ย  of such guard does not permit the operator
access to this area again until and unless
the
machine stops. The use of such guard is largely favored for heavy and
slow acting machines like heavy power
presses.

Safety by Using Distance
Guards

Distance guard helps to fence the dangerous
components of machine such as bars or rails
and
position them at a suitable distance from the machine such that even
operator by chance, extends his hands over it, his fingers, clothes or any of
the body does not reach within
the area
of dangerous
parts. For additional safety, some sort of tripping device should always be incorporated to stop the machine rapidly
in case of an accident.


ย Safety by Using Trip Guards

Trip guard in machine is comprised with
tripping device which enables quick stopping or reversal of the motion of
machine as soon as the operator approaches within the reach of dangerous parts.
Tripping device and the trip guard works in close conjunction with each other
during problematic situations.

ย Safety by Workplace Layout and Proper Working Conditions

Some safety using workplace layout and proper working
conditions are given as under:

1.ย  A suitable
layout and proper
working conditions play an important role in preventing accidents which would have otherwise occurred.

2.ย 
Moving path or passage
ways should be clearly marked
and never be obstructed.

3.ย  Every employee
should have enough
space to move and operate
the machine.

4.ย  The
floor condition must be of non-skid kind. It should act as a satisfactory plane
which can be easily cleaned.

5.ย 
Height of working rooms should be adequate for proper ventilation and lighting.

6.ย 
Fire
walls should be used to separate various
compartments.

7.ย  Windows should
have adequate size and should be in adequate numbers.

8.ย 
Illumination should be sufficient, continuous, uniform and free from glare.

9.ย  Proper ventilation should be there
in workplace.

10.ย ย 
Noise level should be proper if any. If it is high, use silencers to
minimize the noise level.


TYPES OF SAFETY

The fo1lowing general types of safety are considered in
the workshop

1.ย 
Safety of self.

2.ย  Safety
of job.

3.ย 
Safety of machines tools.

However there are general
safety precautions to be adopted while working in any workshop


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