Machine Safety 3

[itsmoked]

An automated saw.

Occasionally the blades must be manually hand replaced. It's being done while the machine is in standby. I suspect this isn't OSHA approved, as I understand it, "the energy source has to be removed", from the motion generating device.

At issue is the time required to power down and reboot a large machine tool including its loss of position etc., etc.

The classic method would be to put in a manual disconnect in the motor leads - probably lockable.

I'm wondering about alternatives. Is a contactor capable of providing the mechanical disconnection? If so, can something like a key switch in the control(coil) circuit of the contactor acceptable?

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[berkshire]

Waross,
Another point on zero energy state is the OHSA exhortation " Put your lock on it too " Not only should the circuit be locked out, but in a large plant you have the possibility that several groups of maintenance workers may be working on or around a common circuit.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[berkshire]

There was a sad story today in the Contracting Business magazine, about a young lad who did not follow all of the rules of tag out lock out, in a residential situation.
It just goes to reinforce the items and rules talked about here.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[ScottyUK]

Bad luck for the guy involved, but not sure LOTO would have prevented it. Was the faulted circuit even part of the air handler?

I must say that I hate working on domestic stuff for numerous reasons - lack of control of isolations, unreasonable expectations, tidying other folks shitty workmanship, and on and on goes the list. Family and one or two very close friends get domestic work out of me, no-one else.