A new MetalForming magazine article from the expert safety team at White Horse Safety, Inc. details how metal formers can responsibly use alternative methods to control hazardous energy when performing stamping-related tasks in the pressroom, in lieu of lockout. Referencing ANSI standards, the article notes:
“The ANSI Z244.1 subcommittee has detailed that the risk-assessment process as prescribed in ANSI B11.0 is used to determine if an acceptable risk can be achieved by applying an alternative method to complete specific tasks, instead of following the requirements for lockout to perform said tasks…. Unfortunately, far too often the analogy of having the ‘cart before the horse’ occurs as the alternative method is implemented without following the requirements prescribed in ANSI Z244.1:
- A practicability/justification analysis
- A risk assessment
- Other applicable evaluations as detailed in clauses in the standard.
“The above documentation, along with the properly designed and validated safety-control circuit,” the article continues, “provides the defendable information to justify not following the hazardous-energy-control lockout methods. Only after completing this documentation and analysis should a stamper implement an alternative method. …Metal formers must understand that the circuit must be more than just the exclusive control device and its application to the press safety-control system. The device must be part of all safety-control systems responsible for the control of hazardous energy, and each of those systems may include multiple safety functions that the exclusive control device must be part of, as a detecting device within the safety function.”