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MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Safety Considerations for Machinery & Equipment

Machinery & Equipment is a dynamic industry with strong ties to major economic sectors such as raw materials and finished goods and services. According to the U.S. National Safety Council, manufacturing and production are among the top 3 occupations with the largest number of disabling injuries. With strict compliance to safety protocols and the use of appropriate PPE to protect against these preventable injuries, we can encourage safer habits that create a safer workplace for all workers.

At Ansell, we are committed to protecting all machinery & equipment workers. We go beyond regulatory compliance to ensure our product portfolio fully protects against the specific hazards these workers face.

Identify hazards and reduce workplace injuries with a no cost AnsellGUARDIAN assessment.

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UNDERSTANDING THE HAZARDS OF MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Image of cut protection gloves and sleeves that properly protect your workers from daily machinery & equipment hazards

Operating machinery & equipment can be linked to various mechanical hazards and they could cause injuries such as crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, and other injuries like cuts, stabbing or punctures, abrasions, or musculoskeletal diseases. These injuries may be caused by moving machine parts, dangerous materials, and emissions such as steam and water could inflict burns or scalds. Working with energized parts may cause electrical shock and burns. Metal fabrication including welding, cutting, and brazing are exceptionally dangerous as these work processes create sparks, fumes, radiation, and other hazards.

Machine operators, metal fabrication workers, and welders exposed to industry-related hazards deserve appropriate protective solutions that help them stay safe and productive while delivering comfort and performance. Together, we can create a safer workplace by adopting safer habits.

Ansell Solutions

Impact Protection

Workers operating heavy machinery equipment with moving parts or pneumatic equipment subject their hands and arms to the risk of crush and pinch injuries. Many tasks in the Machinery & Equipment industry include the use of large tools, like presses, shears and saws, handling metal sheets and heavy materials, further exposing hands to hazards which can lead to devastating injuries if not properly protected. With our proprietary Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) design, Ringers Impact Protection gloves provide maximum coverage of the full length of the fingers, thumb, and the back of the hand.

Cut Protection

One of the major hazards to Machinery & Equipment safety is a high risk of cuts and lacerations while handling metal sheets, sharp-edged objects, and operating equipment with sharp-pointed parts. The workers are often exposed to glass, dangerous machinery, and other sharp objects and edges where cut or severing injuries are likely to occur. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 30% of all workplace injuries in the U.S. only are from cuts and lacerations, with 12% of those occurring on the hand. To ensure safety within the Machinery & Equipment industry and to prevent manual handling accidents in the workplace, it is important to select the right PPE with the cut level protection appropriate to the performed tasks.

Electrical Protection

Working on or near energized parts is associated with risks of an electric shock or serious burns. Electric shock is one of the major risks encountered by welders and other workers using electric-powered tools and equipment where even low voltage or low current can cause serious harm or death. Using the right PPE can help to prevent potential accidents. Ansell offers best-in-class ActivArmr electrical protection gloves that deliver ultimate comfort, performance, and safety in challenging environments.

Abrasion Protection

When operating machines and equipment with rough surfaces and moving parts, workers expose their hands and arms to the risk of abrasions and scrapes. Ansell offers a wide range of abrasion-resistant gloves that are extemely durable for extended wear in various abrasive applications that involve repetitive movements and handling metal sheets and panels. Ansell's FORTIX Technology uses a thin, resilient and breathable nitrile foam coating that dramatically extends working life of protective gloves and sleeves while improving their comfort.

Heat and Cold Protection

Workers in the Machinery & Equipment industry are exposed to both heat and cold contact and convective heat, and, therefore, need appropriate PPE for handling hot or cold objects, working in extreme temperatures, and to protect hands while welding, casting and melting, molding, and forging. Moreover, machine parts, materials, and emissions such as steam and water can be hot or cold enough to inflict burns or scalds. To mitigate these risks, Ansell provides a range of PPE designed to resist extreme temperatures while delivering comfort and performance.

Repetitive/Ergonomic movement protection

Vibration is a potential hazard for workers operating hand-held tools and powered equipment like impact drills, air-powered wrenches, grinders, and saws of all types. Prolonged exposure to vibration can cause changes in tendons, muscles, sensory nerves, bones, and joints that may eventually lead to hand and arm muscle damage known as hand-arm vibration syndrome. In addition to muscle fatigue due to vibration, musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs, are often caused by repetitive movements, muscle overexertion, and improper working positioning. Along with the general precautions like mechanical isolation of vibrating source, limiting the duration of exposure, and equipment maintenance to avoid excessive vibration, it is important to consider appropriate PPE to reduce the risks of damage to muscles, bones, & joints ensuring workers' safety and comfort.

Chemical Protection

Hazards in the Machinery & Equipment industry are not only limited to mechanical risks. Workers are exposed to a variety of harsh chemicals including paints, solvents, hexavalent chromium, and cleaning fluids. Without proper PPE, workers may experience chemical burns or any other type of skin irritation. Repetitive and prolonged exposure to these chemicals can prove toxic to the worker and severely affect their skin or respiratory system. Thick, nonporous PPE is needed that will prevent liquids from leaking inside and touching the skin, with the durability to withstand scrubbing and sharp corners.

Image collage overlapped on top of a man and consisting of product in-use applications across multiple industries

AnsellGUARDIAN®

The most appropriate PPE solutions to protect against hazards will vary based on each individual company’s unique set of needs, applications, and processes. AnsellGUARDIAN® is our consultative service to help companies select and implement the right PPE solutions to improve safety, increase productivity, and reduce costs as well as instill safer habits for your workers. Using our 130 years of experience, proprietary software system, and database of over 30,000 chemicals, we have implemented PPE recommendations in 15,000 facilities worldwide.

There is no cost for an AnsellGUARDIAN® assessment. Request an assessment now.

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