ROSS
CONTROLS® announces its new book "Fluid Power
Safety for Machine Guarding" and a companion "Risk
Locator for Machinery with Pneumatic Power" on CD ROM. The
book covers safety-related topics pertinent to machine guarding for pneumatic
equipment. Topics include control integrity, energy isolation, alternative
lock-out, risk assessment for fluid power, safety standards, clutch/brake
controls for mechanical presses, understanding press counterbalance systems,
as well as a frequently asked questions segment.
Safety standards and how they apply to fluid power equipment (both pneumatic
and hydraulic) are discussed at length with examples on how to get started
with risk assessment. Also, the book includes references to important
safety standards.
Following is an excerpt from the book:
Safety has changed at a rapid pace during the last few years. Designers
and safety managers struggle to keep up with recent changes as well as
with predicting and planning for what is coming in the near future. The
most recent changes are bringing new meanings to some old words.
Safety is being redefined to extend beyond the traditional injury to workers
and now includes trying to avoid injury to all employees, visitors, guests,
contractors, etc., that might be exposed to a machine as well as damage
to the machine, other company assets, and harm to the environment. Safety
is truly becoming a primary item in a company loss prevention program,
along with insurance and other types of exposure controls. With the introduction
of these latest standards, some of the previous strict guidelines are
being given user defineability and flexibility. This brings added responsibility
to the employer to locate risks that can be created unknowingly by an
improperly designed solution.
It is commonly accepted that there is no such thing as zero risk, even
though that is still the goal. The new task-based assessment process allows
for risks that are tolerable to the company. Again this places a responsibility
on the employer to select appropriate limits used during this assessment
process to not avoid enhancing safety when opportunities exist.
The Risk Locator CD ROM is a computer program that prompts the user to
answer questions about a machine's operation, then points out areas of
safety concern that should be considered when performing a risk assessment
of the equipment.
These new products are available in two ways. The book can be purchased
alone (form # A10264) or a book and CD ROM package can
be purchased (form # A10264CD).
Contact ROSS
CONTROLS® or your local ROSS distributor to order.
ROSS CONTROLS® Customer Service
800-438-7677 (in the U.S.) or 706-356-3708 (outside the U.S.)
E-mail: custsvc@rosscontrols.com
