Technology has become a significant component of how most organizations operate. But in many cases, the technology is only as effective as the people using them.

 
In our latest Reader Panel survey, we asked our readers to give us their views on machine safety and machine safeguarding technologies. Many of the respondents maintain the importance of training in the whole machine safety equation. 
 
“Our focus has been on training workers rather than ‘engineered’ solutions, although we have done both this past year,” says one survey respondent.

 
Another reader comments, “Guarding of machinery is essential to comply with provincial regulations. Training workers on hazards is extremely important, especially new employees.”
 
Regulation has also been driving the continued introduction of machine safeguarding technologies in the marketplace. With increasing health and safety inspections in Canadian workplaces, employers are increasingly paying more attention to machine guarding.
 
Close to 67 per cent of our Reader Panel respondents say their company is taking a closer look at the issue by investing in machine safeguarding technologies and educating workers on machine safety. Still, more than 20 per cent say their company has not been giving the issue much attention.
 
One reader comments that despite the beefed up health and safety inspections in workplaces across Canada, there has been “no change” in his company when it comes to machine safety and safeguarding implementations.
 
“Our focus on improving machine safeguarding has nothing to do with regulatory activity. It is self-initiated,” writes one reader.
 
Our reader panelists also gave us insight into the types of machine safeguarding technologies deployed in their workplaces. A large majority, 70 per cent, uses lockout/tag out systems. Perimeter access guards, physical guards and safety barriers, as well as safety switches are also cited as the more commonly used types of safety systems.
The less common ones deployed in the workplaces include anti-crush systems or truck safety systems, press brakes and pressure and/or safety mats.
 
Research and studies of accident reports have shown that tampering with existing safety devices to reduce downtime and disturbances to normal production are one of the factors contributing to automation-related accidents.
 
We asked our readers to tell us whether they have ever witnessed an employee tampering with machine safety systems. While more than half of the respondents say they have not witnessed such an act first-hand, their comments are telling a different story.
 
“Never witnessed someone removing or disabling an interlock, however, evidence shows that it has been done because the interlock is gone or has been disabled,” writes one reader.
 
A respondent with a similar experience says, “I have found machine guards that have been tampered with but have never actually witnessed the person doing it.”
 
Other forms of tampering with safety systems our readers came across with include, “perimeter barrier gates left unlocked” or “guard on a dough mixer bypassed.”
 
“The most common form of tampering is altering the guards on grinders or removing them altogether for convenience.”
 
Some had “recurring problems with employees tampering with speed control devices on our vehicles.”
 
Our respondents believe that tampering with safety systems is a worker “habit” that should be dealt with by proper discipline. “This is a direct violation of our safety procedures and discipline is attached to this offence.”
 
As technology continues to evolve to make machinery safer for workers, employers and safety professionals need access to the right tools to help them make the right decision based on their safety requirements.
 
We asked our readers to tell us which sources they get more value from when looking for information about machine safety and safeguarding technologies.
 
Most of the respondent, 63 per cent, rely on industry associations and peer networks. Trade magazines and other publications are also a good source of information about the subject, according to 48 per cent of respondents.
 
One reader finds value from “networking with other companies and sharing information about guarding.”
 
Machine suppliers, user manuals, legislation and in-house guidelines and the Internet are some of the other resources our readers cited.
 
For some, getting feedback from those who actually use the machinery is very important. “Most ideas related to our guard are from the floor by the trade staff that utilize and maintain the equipment. Very low tech problems and solutions.”
 
Technology will continue to be introduced in the marketplace to make machinery safer and protect workers from injury. Safety professionals need access to information about machine safety technologies and the right systems that will meet their individual safety requirements.
 
But choosing the right machine safety system is only one part of the organization’s journey towards machine safety. Educating employees about the use of machine safety systems is, according to our readers, an important aspect of the technology decision.