Here at Bennett Engineering we design, manufacture, build, commission and install bespoke machinery for manufacturers in a range of sectors. One of the key things that we consider during the early phases of designing machines is the safety. That’s where machine risk assessments come in which is fairly early but essential. Operating machinery in production environments is known to be high risk, so everything we design needs to not just adhere to regulations like PUWER but also be as safe as possible to operate. So how do we achieve that?
Working with health and safety specialists who understand machine risk assessments from being involved in a range of industries and who understand CAD has helped us. Templar supports Bennett Engineering in meeting UK Health and Safety Regulations and ensuring our machinery is a safe as can be before it’s even made.
In this blog Templar’s director, Paul Godwin, shares how he undertakes the work he does with us.
The importance of machinery safety compliance
Here in the UK, machinery safety is governed by regulations such as the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. PUWER mandates that all work equipment is suitable for its intended task and can be used without putting persons at risk. Compliance with these regulations is essential to ensure the safety of machinery operators and those in the vicinity.
Paul says “when a machine is in operation within a factory it’s easy to spot the high risks associated with the equipment. I have been completing these types of machine risk assessments for many years. Bennett Engineering need me to come in way before that stage. I have spent time with Craig to understand CAD models and see the intention behind the design.”
Bennett Engineering start the design of machinery by providing blocky concept models in CAD; they often just show the basics of what our intentions are. Paul will give these models a quick review to see if he can spot anything that doesn’t meet the regulations our customers must adhere to. When it comes to the detailed design Paul can see all the moving parts and the full specification of the machinery. Reviewing the detailed design for risks is a critical part of the process for Bennett Engineering.
Integrating safety into design of machinery
Safety is integral to our design processes. By collaborating with Templar, we validate that our designs incorporate necessary safety features such as guards, isolators, and emergency stop mechanisms, aligning with PUWER requirements.
Craig says “guarding is always considered during the detailed design phase; we’ll have completed site surveys and spoken to the onsite safety management but it’s still important to check that the guarding we are suggesting does the job effectively in theory.”
“It’s really refreshing to work with a company that takes safety seriously, all too often we attend production facilities and see machinery that is just too higher risk for the operators or maintenance teams. Putting safety first at the beginning of the project by bringing me in for a safety review or perhaps we could call it a ‘virtual machine risk assessment’, means that not only is the machinery fit for purpose but it has all safety considerations covered.” Paul says.
Machinery safety protocols
Templar Health and Safety provides comprehensive services that are integral to our safety assurance process as follows:
- PUWER Assessments: Templar conducts thorough PUWER assessments on our machinery to identify and mitigate potential risks, ensuring that all equipment is safe for use and compliant with legal standards. This is completed at the detailed design stage for the bespoke machinery that Bennett Engineering’s client’s order with us
- Safety Audits: Templar provide us with safety audits which help us maintain high safety standards by evaluating our machinery designs and identifying areas for improvement at the start of the project. This eliminates the need for costly reworking of designs later down the line or worse having to remanufacture parts or subassemblies because they are not adhering to regulations or safe to use in operation.
Continuous improvement
Templar keep Bennett Engineering up to date with the latest legislation changes or amendments; it means that our bespoke machinery will always be compliant because Templar make sure we’re in the know without having to be experts ourselves in this area.
Our partnership with Templar Health and Safety reinforces Bennett Engineering’s commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and compliant machinery solutions. By integrating expert safety assessments and training into our operations, we ensure that our clients receive machinery that not only performs efficiently but also upholds the highest standards of health and safety.