Automation does not equal a 100% safe work environment. Safety is always a factor in industrial automation systems, especially those that involve humans working closely with robotic systems and fast-moving heavy machinery.

Benefits of Safety Automation Solutions

Besides a decrease in injuries and incidents, automation safety solution benefits include the following:

• Increased efficiency: Workers who work more confidently beside collaborative robots and automated systems work more quickly. Your output will likely increase when you implement ample safety measures.
• Employee satisfaction: Employees who feel safety is essential to management stay longer and produce better.
• Reduced costs: Businesses save millions per year in workers' compensation incidents, lost time, potential OSHA violations and fines, and decreased productivity from workplace accidents.
• Fewer shutdowns: When an incident occurs, production lines shut down. In some cases, entire production floors and facilities are on temporary hold. Proper automation safety heavily reduces these impactful incidents.

Sources of Safety Hazards

Management must be aware of the sources of safety hazards, which may include:

• Human errors in integration and programming
• Control system errors
• Unauthorized access
• Mechanical failures
• Time pressure
• Environmental sources
• Power system failures or malfunctions
• Improper assembly and installation

According to OSHA, “In order to protect workers involved in [automation] industries, employers should implement a safeguarding strategy as follows, using a hierarchy of controls.”

Implementing a Facility-Wide Safety Products

While proper installation of automation solutions, employee training, and practical production goals vastly reduce safety hazards, implement diverse safety solutions to keep employees safe and production moving.

• Establish organizational measures, including safe working procedures, supervision, and permit-to-work systems, and provide PPE for employees.
• Provide procedure and safety training of workers before, during, and after installation of automation systems.
• Install safeguarding devices such as fixed barriers, industrial framing, or interlocked barrier guards.
• Install awareness devices such as chain or rope barriers with supporting stanchions or flashing lights, signs, whistles, and horns.
• Implement safety features in the system's design, including emergency stop devices, safety door switches, light curtains, laser scanners, and more.

Additional Considerations

It’s not all about the products that you choose; you can also further increase safety at your facility through:

• Enhanced employee training: consistent training reminds employees of safety best practices and those associated with using the machinery they work with.
• Maintenance: ensuring that your automation components are clean, up-to-date, and in good working order can reduce injuries and the number of times employees interact with them throughout the day.
• Risk assessment: trying to envision what can go wrong with an automation application based on what you know about the components allows you to predict risks and take measures to mitigate them.

Building a safety plan takes time and the right products. We can help you select the right automation safety products based on your application. Get in touch with the automation experts at Motion Automation Intelligence today.