Safety Hazards in Metal Fabrication
Metal and steel fabrication involves working with tools and machines that have the potential to cause health and safety hazards to humans and the environment. Fabrication work usually involves the use of fire, electricity, heavy metal, sharp edges and corners and, if not properly managed, these can cause accidents leading to fatalities and loss of livelihood. There are also legal standards around workplace safety such as the OHS and HSSE compliance requirements. So, what exactly are these hazards and how can the risk of untoward accidents in this regard be mitigated? This blog will look to discuss these points in greater detail.
Electrical Hazards
Electricity is one of the riskiest elements in any workplace and can lead to shocks, burns, fires and other injuries. Hence, it is recommended to inspect all electrical appliances in warehouses and manufacturing every 6 months so as detect any signs of impending electrical failures. It is also necessary to ensure all electrical equipment is certified, e.g., all tools and equipment sold in Australia must be safe and certified compliant under AS/NZS 3820 which is the general safety standard. Electrical cords should not run through high traffic areas as they are likely to be a tripping hazard as well as expose people and vehicles to live electricity, thus leading to mishaps. As a best practice, it is recommended to unplug unused electrical appliances as these can cause fires in factories and businesses due to failures of circuit boards and contacts.
Metal Welding
Gas welding uses gas cylinders and hose pipes (developed using pipe spool fabrication) to facilitate the welding process. It is expected that valve defense caps are in position when cylinders are not in use and when they are being transferred. The cylinders need to be located at a safe distance from sources of ignition. Hose pipes and connections should be examined for signs of gas leakage, matches should not be used in the vicinity of dripping gas. Valve protection caps and cylinder collars should not be used for raising a cylinder. Also, when cylinders are not in use, they should be switched off.
Power Press
Fabrication machinery, such as those used to create mining plant and equipment, needs to be handled with care since metal is heavy and sharp edges and corners can lead to injuries. In this regard, friction brakes in a power press should be self-engaging so that only an external source can cause them to disengage. Power press makers with full-revolution positive clutches need to have a single-stroke system. If the system is based on springs, the springs need to be compression types that operate on rods or are directed within a hole or tube to avoid tangling in the clutch if they break. Non-slip-pad-covered pedals should be protected so falling objects can’t activate devices. Spring latches on operating levers should avoid early or accidental tripping. If more than one operating station is in use, the levers need to be interlocked, so the device is tripped just when all levers are used together. Hand controls need to be safeguarded to prevent accidental device start-up and constructed, so both of the operator’s hands are needed to trip and run machine controls.
Conclusion
The metal fabrication industry is facing multiple challenges and the above-mentioned safety measures are some of the best practices in the process of ensuring safety in the “fab shop” workplace. Metal is the most commonly used material in fabrication and is an excellent conductor of heat, electricity and cold – hence workers should wear appropriate PPE kits and accessories when working with metal. Fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are essential items in a manufacturing or fabrication workplace and need to be checked at regular intervals. Automation in fabrication can help to reduce some of these risks – however it still requires a lot of work to create a safe working environment in this industry!
