The lack of safety is an important and real concern for companies in industry or infrastructure, because of possible risks such as industrial accidents, environmental pollution and reputational damage. Tolerance for insecurity is falling.
As a result, there is a growing social need to make risks transparent, understandable and manageable. Working conditions and systems must be safer. Preventive measures are an essential part of physical installations and systems, within both large and small companies. It is important to take every aspect into account: occupational safety, process safety and machine safety. DWG recognizes this need and is happy to contribute.
The need for prevention
Whether it’s structural integrity, machine management or hazardous processes; industrial and infrastructure companies use components in their factories where there is always a chance that they will fail. The design is crucial here. It is imperative that companies prioritize implementing and managing the necessary measures that prevent, or at least minimize, failure.
Risk-free working in all business processes
In terms of safety, you can roughly distinguish between three categories. First of all, occupational safety refers to measures that companies take to ensure that employees can work safely and are not exposed to unnecessary risks and hazards, in order to prevent absenteeism. Secondly, process safety, which relates to the safe management of hazardous substances in process installations. It includes elements such as the design and construction phase of a process and the operation of installations, and aims to reduce the risk of production process downtime and prevent injury. Finally, machine safety. This mainly concerns making machines safe in relation to its users and/or maintainers. Think of a bridge, where the barriers must be guaranteed to be closed and therefore closed to road users. A safety system provides that guarantee.
Occupational Safety vs. process and machine safety
Most companies have the basics in place in the field of occupational safety. Think of suitable work clothing, but also working on the basis of a valid work permit. However, there are still many companies that struggle with the complexity of process and machine safety and therefore also with regulatory compliance. This while a lack of process and machine safety can have major consequences for business operations, employees or the environment.
Accident is in a small corner
An accident in terms of safety risks can occur quickly: from hazardous materials or installations, incorrect use of equipment or machines, to insufficient protection. And now that more and more installations consist almost entirely of automated systems, there are also risks in monitoring the production processes. Many factories operate with processes that require precise regulation. As a result, malfunctions or poor design in part of the system can cause hazardous working conditions with consequences for people, problems in continuity, and damage to the environment and image. The consequences can then lead to major unforeseen consequences. Think of personal injury, fire or explosions: something for which you as an organization are held responsible if you have not arranged it in accordance with the laws and regulations.
Systematic process of prevention measures
However, such dangers cannot be avoided 100%. The aim of prevention is therefore to reduce the safety risks to an acceptable level. Functional safety systems typically include a systematic process of risk assessment (HAZOP), the design, implementation of safety measures, and risk assessment to ensure that the system or installation operates safely and reliably under all circumstances. In addition, there are international safety standards, such as the ISO13849 and IEC62061 for machine safety and the IEC61511 for functional safety, which companies must adhere to.
Security of automated processes
Yet there is often much more to it. Legislation on new technologies is only drawn up after they have been introduced to the market, which makes the need for prevention all the greater. Since the government places a great deal of responsibility with companies themselves with regard to risk and safety policy and social acceptance of risks is decreasing, it is very important that companies take action. They have to start minimizing the safety risks. It requires thorough knowledge and expertise of developments within the market, installations and possible solutions.
Prevention is better than cure
In short, security is essential for companies in industry and infrastructure. It requires an investment, but will actually save money in the longer term given the possible financial consequences of accidents and incidents. Due to increasing automation and complexities, risks are not always transparent or recognizable. By taking measures and creating a culture of safety and risk management, the likelihood of hazards due to negligence or ignorance can be significantly reduced.
Good considerations can be made by paying attention to risk management. This allows companies to ensure the safety of their employees, customers and society as a whole while protecting their reputation.
