Machine guarding is necessary for any business that utilizes machinery with moving parts, such as manufacturing facilities, industrial plants, warehouses, construction sites, and any other facility where heavy machinery is used. This includes industries such as automotive, food and beverage, woodworking, plastics, metalworking, and many others. Machine guarding is necessary to protect workers from accidents and injuries caused by moving machinery parts, such as amputations, lacerations, burns, and crushing injuries. It is also a legal requirement, as outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Therefore, any business that utilizes machinery should have proper machine guarding in place to ensure the safety of their employees and compliance with regulations.
A common challenge is the management of a limited workspace. These organizations must often optimize the utilization of their facilities down to the square footage level. It is crucial to balance these priorities to maintain a safe distance between machinery and employees. SpaceGuard’s experience and expertise come into play.
The “Distance to Hazard”
In the safeguarding industry, the “distance to hazard” is an important measurement that refers to the space between partitions, cage walls, aisle guards, other safety devices, and the moving parts of machinery. This distance is crucial for ensuring employee safety and protecting assets. The greater the distance to the hazard, the more space between the safety devices and the moving parts of machinery, providing more protection for employees.
At SpaceGuard Products, we understand the importance of distance to hazard in the safeguarding industry. That’s why we strive to provide products that allow for a closer yet safe space to hazards. Our products are designed to provide optimal employee safety while allowing for efficient machinery operation.
How Is This Done?
At SpaceGuard, we understand that safety is the top priority regarding machine guarding. Therefore, we use the most current industry standards when measuring the safe distance scale. This ensures we provide the most accurate measurements to protect employees and assets. We can use these standards to test the allowable barrier opening size with precision and accuracy. This is essential because the size of the barrier opening is directly related to the distance from the hazard zone, and these measurements must comply with global standards. Adhering to these standards can provide the most precise and accurate measurements to protect employees and assets. Additionally, this approach allows us to ensure that our customers comply with industry regulations and guidelines.
The SpaceGuard Difference
One of the ways we achieve this is through the custom optimization of our product set for specific applications. We understand that every business has unique needs and requirements, and we work closely with our customers to understand their particular needs and to tailor our products to meet those needs. This allows us to provide a closer distance to hazards and ensure our customers have the best protection for their employees and assets.
All of SpaceGuard’s guarding products can be used in conjunction with light curtains, or other sensor and presence-detecting devices. Using a light curtain or presence sensing device along with standard fixed robotic guarding such as metal panels or cages can provide an extra layer of safety for workers interacting with robots or automated equipment. While fixed guarding can physically prevent workers from accessing hazardous areas, it can also create blind spots or hidden areas where workers may be at risk. A light curtain or presence-sensing device uses infrared beams to detect the presence of objects or people in a hazardous area, and can be programmed to stop or slow down robotic equipment when a person is detected. By adding this type of sensing technology to the standard fixed guarding, workers can have a better understanding of the area they are working in and be confident in their safety while working near robots. Additionally, this type of technology can be integrated with other safety features, such as emergency stop buttons, to create a comprehensive safety system. Learn more about OSHA’s requirements for presence-sensing devices.
Our Capabilities
If you want to learn more about SpaceGuard and the safeguarding industry, visiting our website is a great place to start. You can learn about our capabilities as a leading provider of machine guarding solutions and our commitment to safety and compliance there. You can also find detailed information about our products. Additionally, you can read about our custom solutions and services, which can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your business.
If you are interested in learning more about the comprehensive range of machine guarding solutions offered by SpaceGuard Products and how they can benefit your business, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our team of experts can answer any questions and provide the information you need to make an informed decision about protecting your employees and assets. We understand that every business is unique, and we are dedicated to working with you to understand your specific needs and provide you with the most effective and efficient solutions. Whether you’re looking for standard machine guarding options or custom solutions tailored to your business, our team is here to help you achieve your goals and ensure the safety of your employees and assets. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about what SpaceGuard Products can do for your business.
