Evaluating use of Guards and Safeguarding versus use of Warnings are closely related activities. The required alternative to a Warning can be a Safeguard, including a Machine Guard. While when a Safeguard is not practical, the acceptable (or unacceptable) alternative may be a Warning.In our Forensic Engineering work, Safeguards, including physical guards such as machine guards, mechanical interlocks, light curtains, dual operating buttons, instrumentation, etc., are routinely analyzed, particularly relative to Warnings, whether present or not.
Safeguards include physical guards (barriers of various types), light curtains, dual operating buttons, interlocks and safety instrumentation, restraints, and similar items and devices. Safeguards are provided specifically to prevent persons from encountering a hazard.
In our Forensic Engineering work, Warnings are also routinely analyzed, particularly relative to Safeguards, whether present or not.
Warnings may be written, whether in a manual or other document or on a sign, or auditory, such as bells and sirens, and non-written visual, such as flashing lights or lights of a particular color. Warnings may combine more than one of these techniques in a single warning. Warnings are provided specifically to inform persons of a hazard. Warnings should do this in such a fashion that that person has the knowledge to avoid encountering the hazard,and also understands the level of criticality associated with the hazard.
As noted above Safeguards and Warnings are closely related, but generally used for different conditions.
The safety requirements for Safeguards and/or Warnings are used to determine whether there is a need for Safeguards and/or Warnings, and to determine whether Safeguards and/or Warnings, if present, meet the needs for safety. If a requirement for Safeguarding or Warnings is determined to exist, the analysis includes determining whether either Safeguards or Warnings are the correct choice for safety, or if both should be provided.
More about Our Work with Guards and Safeguarding
Our work with Safeguarding includes engineering analysis to determine the adequacy of the Safeguarding used in industrial and commercial operations and construction activities, and the adequacy of Safeguards used as components of industrial and commercial equipment and consumer products. The purpose of this work is to determine whether these Safeguards were installed and used in a manner that would assure the safety of these activities and items. The purpose of this work is also to determine whether the Safeguards were chosen as required by the Safety Design Hierarchy, and whether the Safeguards, and their use, met the requirements of Codes, Standards and Recommended Practices.
Residential, commercial, industrial, manufacturing and construction equipment, and components associated with this equipment, and associated facilities, are analyzed for the need and correct application of Safeguards. This analysis includes consideration of the role that Warnings might also serve for the installations analyzed.
Consumer products and residential, commercial and industrial facilities, considered separately from equipment, are also analyzed for the need and correct application of Safeguards. This analysis includes consideration of the role that Warnings might also serve for the installations analyzed.
More about Our Work with Warnings and Failure to Warn
Our work with Warnings includes engineering analysis to determine the adequacy of the Warnings used in industrial and commercial operations and construction activities, and used with consumer products and industrial and commercial equipment. The purpose of this work is to determine whether these Warnings were designed and used in a manner that would assist persons in the safe use of these items and in these activities, and to what extent these Warnings would provide assistance. The purpose of this work is also to determine whether the Warnings were chosen according to the requirements of the Safety Design Hierarchy, and the Warnings, and their use, met the requirements of applicable Codes, Standards and Recommended Practices.
Residential, commercial, industrial, manufacturing and construction equipment, and components associated with this equipment, and associated facilities, are analyzed for the need and correct application of Warnings. This analysis includes consideration of the role that Safeguards might also serve for the installations analyzed.
Consumer products and residential, commercial and industrial facilities, considered separately from equipment, are also analyzed for the need and correct application of Warnings. This analysis includes consideration of the role that Safeguards might also serve for the installations analyzed.
The use of Warnings is based on knowledge from Human Factors and is a requirement in Safety Design. Warnings are enshrined in many generally accepted Codes, Standards and Recommended Practices. Warnings and Safeguards are used in prescribed manners related to the safety of the use of one or the other in particular circumstances. These subject areas are all closely related.
Relationship of Safeguards and Warnings to Human Factors, Safety Design, Codes & Standards, and each other
The use of Warnings or Safeguards is based on knowledge from Human Factors and is an integral part of Safety Design. There is a long history of use of Warnings or Safeguards, and many Warnings and Safeguards that are routinely used have a history in use in various particular circumstances. Warnings and Safeguards are enshrined in generally accepted Codes, Standards and Recommended Practices.
The choice of Warnings or Safeguards as the design solution to safety hazards is based on the principles of the Safety Design and particularly the Safety Design Hierarchy, which is the accepted system for design of safe equipment, systems, products and facilities. The Safety Design Hierarchy requires that safety hazards be designed out of the equipment, products and facilities when possible. The Safety Design Hierarchy also requires that if the hazards cannot be designed out, Safeguards are to be used to protect against the hazards if this is possible. Only if hazards cannot be designed out and Safeguards are not possible are Warnings used as the sole response to hazards, to warn of the hazards.
In particular the Safety Design Hierarchy requires that Warnings not be used in place of designing out hazards or using Safeguards if designing out hazards is possible or Safeguards will protect against the hazard. If Safeguards will protect against the hazards, Warnings are often required as an adjunct to the Safeguards, not as a substitute for Safeguards. Safeguards and Warnings are not interchangeable.
Qualifications and Experience of James D. Madden, P.E. with Machine Guards and Safeguards, and Warnings
> as an integral part of the forensic engineering work for over 30 years:
> routinely analyze Safeguards and Warnings, and the requirements for Safeguards and Warnings, often performing engineering analyses to determine whether there is a need for Safeguards and/or Warnings, and to determine whether Safeguards and/or Warnings which are present meet the needs for safety, and whether whichever one was chosen was the correct choice for safety
> routinely use Human Factors and Safety Design principles, the bases for Safeguards, in engineering analysis of accidents, and equipment and facilities involved in accidents
> routinely use and interpret Codes and Standards and Recommended Practices, including requirements in these Codes and Standards for Safeguards and/or Warnings
> took college coursework in Engineering and Normal Psychology, which are the bases of Human Factors and Safety Design, which in turn are the bases for Safeguards and Warnings
> acquired personal knowledge of the use of Safeguards and Warnings in practice while working in industrial facilities, for 1 1/2 years full time and then at a number of times over the following 15 1/2 years during shorter work periods at industrial facilities, up to 3 months at a time
> during 17 years working in industrial operations and design engineering, as an integral part of engineering design:
> analyzed and extensively used Safeguards and Warnings
> extensively used and interpreted Codes and Standards and Recommended Practices, including requirements in these Codes and Standards for Safeguards and Warnings
> extensively used Human Factors and Safety Design, the bases for Safeguards and Warnings
> two earned Engineering degrees, Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering
> post-degrees college credit coursework, short courses and seminars on technical subjects over the years
> Professional Engineers (P.E.) license (earned by examination)
> Diplomate Forensic Engineer designation, granted for meeting the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards requirements for Forensic Engineering
> over 40 years of engineering experience, with:
> 17 years experience in industrial operations, engineering design and construction assistance
> over 30 years experience in forensic engineering, to date