Strategies That Can Be Deployed by Employers to Effectively Control Electric Motor Vibration Risk
Posted on: 18 June 2017
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Electric vibrating motors are used for large industrial applications, such as conveyors, hoppers, feeders and compacting tables, as well as small applications like handheld medical tools. Regardless of the widespread use of these vibratory motors, it cannot be ignored that they may result in serious health issues for employees that face high levels of vibrations on a constant basis.
Fortunately, there are a number of steps that employers can take to effectively protect their workers against the long-term health issues that may be caused by consistent exposure to strong vibrations. Here is a run-through of the strategies that can be deployed to minimise potential health hazards of working with industrial equipment equipped with electric vibratory motors:
Assess the risks: Simply knowing that constant exposure to strong vibrations may deteriorate the health of employees will not suffice — employers have to go the extra mile to determine the extent of the vibration risk that their employees face every day. As each worker's exposure can vary from day to day, it may be extremely difficult to determine it accurately. But that's no reason for employers to simply keep their fingers crossed — they can assess the possible levels of vibration risk and determine acceptable and unacceptable exposure levels.
Mitigate the risks: A critical aspect of the worker safety strategy should involve actively taking steps to reduce exposure to unacceptable levels of vibrations. These steps may include keeping vibratory equipment in good working order at all times; replacing older equipment that may expose workers to higher levels of vibration risk; planning shift schedules in such a way that no employee is exposed to vibrations above the maximum allowable daily limit, etc. In addition, employers should make sure that only trained employees are allowed to handle the vibrating equipment. That way, the employees will know how to best operate this equipment so as to control the impact of the vibrations.
Monitor the risks: Mitigation of vibration risk will only work effectively when employers commit themselves to evaluate vibration risks time after time. Every equipment that an employee will be working with will have to be inspected before work commences so that both the employer and employees are aware of the level of vibration risk involved and what daily exposure levels are acceptable.
By deploying the above strategies to help minimise vibration risk, employers will be able to contribute towards maintaining the good health and well-being of their employees.
Contact a company like VSS - Vibration Systems & Solutions (Australia) for more information and assistance.