Each year in Ontario, there are about 3,000* workplace injuries involving machinery. Safeguarding is a way to protect workers from the hazards associated with machines. This is achieved by physically restricting access to hazards or by stopping a machine's moving part before contact is made. Safeguarding often includes the use of fixed guards, or safety devices such as movable interlocked barriers, pressure-sensitive protective devices or active opto-electronic protective devices (AOPDs), as well as other means.
WSPS offers a broad array of specialized machine safety expertise and solutions to support customers in their prevention efforts. This includes: consulting, training, events and information. Our lead technical specialists have first- hand knowledge of national and international industrial robotics standard by virtue of our active participation on the CSA and ISO technical committees that reviewed and revised the standard. WSPS is also well-equipped to provide on-going support and resources to customers in other key areas of health and safety, including ergonomics, OHS management systems, etc.
Consulting Solutions include:
- Robotics Risk Assessment
- Robotics Implementation Support
- Robotic Safety Assessment
- Risk Assessment Facilitation
- Machine Safety Assessment
- Lockout Program Assessment
- Tech Shop Safety Assessment
*Workplace Safety & Insurance Board Statistical Supplement to the 2010 Annual Report
CSA Z434 Industrial Robots and Robot Systems Consulting Services
CSA’s robotics standard aims to protect the health and safety of employees who work with or near industrial robots or robot systems. In addition, other standards may come into play including CSA Z432 - General Safeguarding, CSA Z142 - Power Presses and CSA Z460, Control of Hazardous Energy. It can be demanding on a company to figure out what it all means and what needs to be done to support compliance.
Machine Safeguarding Assessment
The safeguarding assessment is an on-site service that provides a comprehensive review of machine safety. In many cases, hazards associated with equipment can fade into the background of everyday work. The purpose of this service is to review the existing protective measures in place, consider existing legislated requirements as well as recognized standards and provide actionable items for improvement.
Hazardous Energy Control Program Audit (LOTO)
A “lockout program” assessment is an on-site service that provides a comprehensive review of a customer’s “hazardous energy control program”. In many cases, the written program and how it is applied in practice can vary during every day work. The purpose of this service is to review the existing program and review its practical application. Actionable items for improvement are based on legislated requirements as well as recognized standards.
"Changes for safety are easier than trying to explain 'what happened' to an injured worker's family." Michael Wilson, P.Eng., CRSP, B.A.Sc, Technical Specialist