Posted to News on 21st Feb 2018, 20:55
Machine risk assessment and PUWER inspection services
Procter Machine Safety has offered free Machine Guarding Compliance Surveys for several years, and these have proved extremely popular among companies unsure whether their machine guards comply with current standards and regulations. Now Procter is offering comprehensive Machine Risk Assessment and PUWER Inspection services, headed by National Sales Manager Steve Allen, who has recently completed a Pilz TUV-accredited course and qualified as a Certified Machinery Safety Expert (CMSE). Procter Machine Safety (formerly known as Procter Machine Guarding) has long been recognised as a leading machine guarding specialist in the UK; the additional assessment/inspection services demonstrate the company's broader machinery safety expertise.
Furthermore, the new services mean that Procter Machine Safety now offers everything from risk assessments and site surveys, through to design, manufacture and installation, including interlocking, light guards and electrical equipment. Customers with existing machines will appreciate having access to machinery safety experts who can conduct PUWER Assessments and, where non-compliances are identified, suggest practical solutions; if requested, detailed quotations are provided.
Risk assessments
Risk assessments can be carried out on new machines that are still being designed, part-finished or complete. They can also be performed on older machines that are in operation or being moved, and on pre-owned machines prior to purchase. In addition, risk assessments are essential on machines that are being modified or upgraded.
Each risk assessment identifies the hazards present and estimates the associated risk level. Where risk levels are found to be high, appropriate measures are recommended that will eliminate the risks or reduce them to acceptable levels.
Many activities carried out by machine operators and maintenance staff present a high risk to themselves and others. Risk assessment is the basis of all machinery safety regulations and standards, and risk assessments enable risk reduction measures to be identified and implemented that are both effective and economical.
Often it takes just a few factors to cause an accident. If you build, retrofit or interlink machinery, a competent risk assessment is the most important basis on which to design safe machines or determine the necessary protection measures.
Risk assessment procedure
The following steps will be undertaken by Procter Machine Safety for each risk assessment:
- Identify the applicable standards and regulations
- Define the machine's limits
- Identify all the risks in each phase of the machine's lifecycle
- Estimate and assess the risks
- Recommend an approach for reducing risks
The intention is to ensure the equipment is safe and meets the minimum requirements of the Machinery Directive or PUWER, as appropriate.
Follow the links to find out more about Risk Assessments and PUWER Inspections from Procter Machine Safety.
