Mechanical equipment injuries in small manufacturing businesses

Profile of machine safety in small metal fabrication businesses

“…Items critical to the safe operation of machines such as emergency stops, lock out/tag out procedures, and barrier guards were often missing. Other investigators have reported lower levels of machine guarding in small business establishments than those identified in our study [Gardner et al, 1999;Akbar-Khanzadeh et al, 2000].…”

“…Shop owners and workers often state that adequate guarding is directly related to machine age as it is not possible to retrofit older machines with guards and devices made to fit newer equipment. The relationship between machine age and adequate guarding has also been suggested by Gardner et al [1999].…”

“…Investigators have hypothesized numerous barriers to improving health and safety. These include: lack of resources; lack of knowledge on the part of owners; interference with the autonomy of workers; lack of unions; resentment of the regulatory environment; and financial pressures related to production [Eakin, 1992;Peretz et al, 1992;Gardner et al, 1999;Jones, 1999].…”

“You will only see it, if you understand it” or occupational risk prevention from a management perspective

“…They cannot have the same assessment skills that can be afforded by big companies. Their contacts with supportive organizations the provide them with relevant information on risk prevention may be poor, and they do not have the time, means, or the inclination to pursue the information themselves (Champoux & Brun, 2003;Gardner, Cross, Fonteyn, Carlopio, & Shikar, 1999;Walker & Tait, 2004). There is a general understanding that a more "customer-friendly" approach, with local, face-toface contact and industry-specific advice on safety issues, is necessary with small-sized companies.…”

Desenvolvimento de método de avaliação de desempenho de processos de manufatura considerando parâmetros de sustentabilidade

“…A quantidade de acidentes, mesmo sendo uma medida difícil de ser avaliada, foi obtida tendo como base um grande levantamento realizado em indústrias australianas por pesquisadores (GARDNER et al, 1999). Foi verificado que o processo de retificação apresentou um desempenho 44,6% pior do que o processo de torneamento, com uma quantidade superior de acidentes por hora de trabalho.…”