Posted to News on 17th Sep 2020, 15:54
Procter releases free, updated safety distance and risk calculators
Procter Machine Guarding has released an updated version of its free Safety Distance Calculator and Risk Assessment Calculator
Version 7 of the Procter Risk Assessment Calculator has been released and is based on BS EN ISO 12100. The company confirms that as with its predecessors, the new, updated version is based on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, with only minimal knowledge of Excel required to use the Calculator. Within the spreadsheet there are checklists and look-up tables allowing machine builders and users to undertake risk assessments on almost any type of machine.
Having entered some basic information about the machine, values are then selected for values such as 'Likelihood of Occurrence', 'Frequency of Exposure', 'Degree of Possible Harm' and the 'Number of Persons at Risk'. The BS EN ISO 12100 Risk Assessment Calculator takes these values and automatically generates a Hazard Rating Number (HRN) and Risk Level for each identified hazard. Colour coding shows which hazards require action to be taken, and the displayed HRN values enable users to set priorities when not all issues can be addressed immediately.
The updated version of the Safety Distance Calculator determines the required safety distances and heights of machine guards, in accordance with BS EN ISO 13857, 'Safety of machinery – Safety distances to prevent hazard zones being reached by upper and lower limbs'. Version 7 corresponds even more closely with the standard, and is said to be an invaluable aid when creating schemes for custom-designed machine guards or perimeter guards, or for ensuring that existing machine guards comply with the standard's requirements.
The intuitive Safety Distance Calculator features drop-down menus from which the user selects the application risk level (high or low), the horizontal distance to the hazard and the height of the hazard. Based on these inputs, the calculator immediately displays the required height for the protective structure. As with the Standard, the calculator also gives the safety distances for slots, round, square and irregularly shaped apertures through which a person could reach.
To request a copy of the free Calculators, simply email [email protected] or telephone +44 (0) 029 2085 5758. The guides are also available as free downloads on the Procter Machine Safety website.
