Bypassing safety guards on a machine

[Altoridgster]

Can someone please lend an ear as I have a little problem. I have been asked to fit a key switch which will over ride the machines safety system. I would like to know the correct method to use and where i stand if someone has an accident through this modification. It was the owner of thye company who asked.

 

[Andy Smith]

Its the owner who wants the guards by passed so the engineers can make running adjustments.

Hi Mate there are ways of doing this for engineers such as having very reduced speed and inch control. It is quite a common practice when commissioning packaging machines. I dont advocate it but it happens. Pm if you want deatils of how its done as i would not want everyone to consider this a safe practice. Bet this raises a few eyebrows. However NO ONE has the right to demand this from you and if you feel unsure of its use DONT DO IT!!!

 

[Mac]

Well I am in a bit of a pridicament as I have already done it last night. I wont be able to sleep with worry now. Thanks very much for your help it is sometimes half the battle won when there is someone you can ask for help.

Thanks lads.

Read this mate and then show it to your boss.
“Serious and deliberate deficienciesâ€￾ lead to the death of a factory worker cautions the HSE

 

[Andy Smith]

Read this mate and then show it to your boss.
“Serious and deliberate deficienciesâ€￾ lead to the death of a factory worker cautions the HSE

Nice one Mac that got the point accross.

 

[Guest123]

Spot on Maccy lad.

 

[Andy Smith]

Just read my own post again. Reads like im saying you can bypass safe guards YOU CAN NOT. just wanted to make that clear but there are ways ways of making safe adjustment with power on, hope that makes more sense

 

[boatnik1]

I'm going to admit to having done this many years ago, but as the company maintenence engineer/spark, so the only one who was going to get bit was me. In your circumstances I would be inclined to get back into work ASAP and undo the bypass. If the company engineers want to play with machines with the guards open then let them bypass the switches. It's not your place to carry the can.
I have just had a mental picture of some joker getting wrapped up in strapping and ejected into a dispatch bin.