Preliminary Hazard Analysis / Hazard Identification

An essential factor in a successful risk assessment is clearly defining the limits of the machinery being reviewed. This includes identifying the physical boundaries, life cycle phases and tasks to be considered.

Risk Assessment and Solution Recommendations

The basis of a risk assessment is identifying all of the hazards and assessing the risk levels of these hazards, using either Categories (AS 4024.1501) or Performance Levels (AS 4024.1503). For the risk assessment to be useful, however, a solid understanding of the process and human interaction is required to ensure that a practical solution is offered, aimed at complementing the productivity. All of our reports include recommendations which are appropriate to assist the productivity requirements, whilst achieving the necessary safety levels.

Safety System Review / Analysis

There are occasions where a machine safety system already exists but there is no documentation to show if this system is appropriate to the requirements determined by the risk assessment. Our safety system review/analysis will examine the existing machine safety system and provide a documented report on how the existing system matches up with the risk assessment requirements, including recommendations on improvements where necessary.

Verification / Validation

Once a machine safety system has been installed, it is a requirement that this should be checked by a person independent of the design to ensure that the hazards identified in the risk assessment have been addressed appropriately and that the necessary safety levels, also identified in the risk assessment, have been achieved. We offer a verification option, which checks basic functionality and operation, or a more detailed validation option which requires deliberate fault creation in the safety system to validate the integrity of the safety system. Both options provide a detailed report upon completion.

Isolation (Lockout-Tagout) Review / Analysis

A critical component of machine safety management is the ability for all equipment to be correctly isolated before any work can be carried out. Reviewing the existing isolation capabilities of your machinery is an important first step in ensuring that the equipment can be correctly isolated. Where shortfalls are identified, these will be highlighted and appropriate recommendations provided. Even when the necessary isolation capabilities already exist, a careful review of these in relation to the equipment operation can provide operational benefits by enabling isolation zones to be created, where this is possible without jeopardising the safety integrity.

Safety Procedure Development

In many instances, there are poorly documented, or out of date, safety procedures in place, or sometimes multiple versions. Missing, inaccurate, or confusing safety procedures can easily result in accidents in the workplace. Clearly documented safety procedures ensure that everything is properly covered – and helps to ensure that WHS/OHS obligations are successfully met. We can assist in safety procedure development ranging from developing Job Safety Analysis (JSA) procedures to full Isolation (Lockout-Tagout) procedures.

With twenty years’ experience in the Australian machine safety sector, we aim to provide a high-quality safety consultancy service for everyone using industrial machinery, or plant.

All safety consultancy options are available nationally, contact us today to find out how we can best assist you with your machine safety requirements.