Machine Safety
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An ongoing discussion of machine guarding topics, including solutions assessments, regulatory compliance, gap analysis, operating efficiencies and cost savings, as well as all relevant safety standards, such as those from NFPA, ANSI, RIA, IEC, ISO and OSHA. About Cost savings opportunities in machine safety
May 25, 2011
Machine safety entered an era of major paradigm shift in 2002 with the changes in NFPA 79 introducing safety PLCs and safety communication and control bus technology as solutions allowed for machine guarding. This change offered choices in safety automation the same as those choices offered in the early 1970’s when PLC’s were introduced for general automation. Now, safety automation can be an integral part of general automation by choice if the application opportunity is ripe with similar drivers as was the application opportunity for general automation.
Safety Automation drivers today can be up to:
1.) 80% reduction in typical components
2.) 40% reduction in engineering
3.) 30% reduction in check-out time
4.) 20% reduction in required floor space
5.) 5% to 15% increase in productivity
In my opinion, as you look at your current machine safety solutions and machine safety culture, you might also want to look at the above drivers where some companies have been the early adopters of safety automation and achieved these results. And, while you’re at it, also ask yourself if your machine guarding solutions would be considered “best-in–class”?
In this competitive environment don’t you need to look at metrics like sustainability, competitive analysis, profit, and the like in order to drive your business to a competitive advantage? After looking at these drivers isn’t it hard to look the other way?
Don’t you agree?
Let’s hear your ideas?
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Contact: www.jbtitus.com for “Solutions for Machine Safety”.
For more than 30 years, J.B. Titus has advised a wide range of clients on machine functional safety solutions, including Johnson + Johnson, Siemens, General Motors, Disney, Rockwell Automation, Bridgestone Firestone, and Samsung Heavy Industries. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Oklahoma University in industrial management and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University in marketing and finance. He is a professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and is OSHA-certified in machine guarding. Titus is also TUV-certified as a Functional Safety Expert and serves on several American National Standards Institute, National Fire Protection Association, and National Electrical Manufacturers Association national safety and health standards committees. Reach him at jb(at)jbtitus.com and via www.jbtitus.com.