ASSESSING MECHANICAL SAFETY OF EQUIPMENT

1
ASSESSING MECHANICAL SAFETY OF EQUIPMENT

• Looking at your thesis equipment and assessing
  its mechanical safety

2
WORKSHOP

• Follow AS4024 - Safeguarding of mechanical
  machinery - ask whether the following injury can
  happen
• Entanglement
• Catching
• Friction/Abrasion
• Cutting
• Shear
• Stabbing/Puncture
• Impact
• Crushing
• Drawing-in
• Compressed fluids
• Non-mechanical

3
Example of a mechanically safe equipment

• The following picture shows the Mazak. It has the
  following features
• Full enclosure
• Interlocks (but I cannot see where it is)
• External controls outside the working zone
• Safety warnings
• It is safe when used properly, but it is not
  infinitely safe - you cannot guarantee it.

4
CNC MACHINE
5
Analysis of a 4th year project
6
OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT

• The equipment separates coarse and fine bagasse.
  The bagasse enters on the higher side and
  rotation of the wire cage separates the coarse
  and fines. The fines drop out and the coarse is
  discharge at the end of the wire cage.

7
HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

• Entanglement - drum, motor coupling, wheels
• Crushing - frame with rotating drum
• Impact - large projectiles through gap
• Space - insufficient space, near access corridor
• Chemical - bagasse fines hazard
• Electrical - fluid/solid falling on electric
  motor
• Operational - delivery of bagasse dangerous

8
HAZARD MINIMISATION

• Fully enclose equipment
• Interlock on enclosure/door
• Automate feeder mechanism as the inlet is too
  high
• Proper ventilation and breathing apparatus
• Relocate to a safer area
• The proposals must be reviewed in light of costs
  and severity of hazard - see Dr. Sheehans risk
  analysis sheet.