Now Offering Control Reliable System Designs

Our Expanded Machine Safety Solutions: Electrical Safety Expertise
With heightened scrutiny from OSHA and larger settlements for machine-related injuries, many companies struggle to navigate the complex world of machine safety. Our Clarion Safety Systems team understands these challenges and we’re proud to offer expanded services to meet your needs, in part through our affiliated businesses.

A new resource you won’t want to miss on the Clarion Safety website, we have informative service pages to encompass all aspects of machine safeguarding, proudly supported by our affiliated businesses, Machine Safety Specialists and Arrow Industrial Solutions.

Machine Safety: Protecting Your Workers and Your Bottom Line in 2024
In today's industrial environment, machine safety is no longer optional. Stricter regulations, hefty fines, and the potential for costly lawsuits are forcing companies to prioritize worker safety around machinery. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022 alone, there were 396,000 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported in the private manufacturing sector. Even a single accident can have devastating consequences, both human and financial.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has rigorous standards for machine guarding, and failure to comply can result in significant fines. Additionally, legal settlements for worker injuries can be substantial. This year in 2024, the maximum penalties for OSHA violations increased by 3.2%, from $15,625 to $16,131 per violation for serious and other-than-serious violations and from $156,259 to $161,323 for willful or repeated violations.

By implementing effective machine safeguarding and functional safety practices, companies can help to reduce the risk of accidents and create a safer work environment for their employees. This not only improves morale and productivity but also reduces the potential for financial losses.

Through our available services, we explore the essentials of machine safety and functional safety, helping you understand your obligations and navigate the latest regulations. Individually, each of our safety services have always been available, but now, we have created a more streamlined pathway for our clients to explore safeguarding issues and solutions.

Clarion Safety: Your One-Stop Shop for Machine Safety
Through our acquisitions of Machine Safety Specialists (MSS) and Arrow Industrial Solutions (Arrow), we now offer a comprehensive suite of solutions to help keep your workers safe and your operations running smoothly.

Our Machinery Services Include:

• Functional Safety Reviews & Regulatory Verification: Our TÜV certified safety engineers at MSS provide expert guidance on meeting OSHA and international standards through functional safety reviews and control reliability design reviews.
  
• Machine Safety Validation Review Process: We offer a thorough validation process to ensure your machine's safety system meets all regulatory requirements.
  
• Control Reliability Safety System Design: Arrow designs and integrates control systems that prioritize safety, prevent single point failures, and utilize well-tested components. The design process can be commissioned independently, or combined with other verification and validation audits depending on where you are in your safety audit.
  
• Machine Safety Evaluations & Guarding
  
  • Stage 1: Assessment and Hazard Identification: Our team conducts a comprehensive assessment to identify hazards and recommend safeguarding measures
  • Stage 2: Guard Design and Engineering: We design optimized guard systems that are effective, ergonomic, durable, and cost-effective.
  • Stage 3: Guard Manufacturing and Fabrication: Our skilled technicians fabricate metal and plastic guards, integrating safety features, and ensuring quality control.
  • Stage 4: Guard Installation and Commissioning: Our experts seamlessly integrate the guard into your machine, verify its effectiveness, provide operator training, and document the entire process
    

From start to finish, we provide a comprehensive and efficient safeguarding process. Our four-stage approach ensures all aspects of machine safety are addressed, delivering a compliant, user-friendly, and cost-effective solution that prioritizes the safety of your workforce.

Common Machine Safeguarding Mistakes We Can Help You Avoid
While many companies understand the importance of machine safety, mistakes can happen. Here are some of the most common missteps to watch out for and consider conducting an initial audit to help eliminate:

• Inadequate Guarding: Guards that are flimsy, improperly installed, or easily bypassed offer little protection to workers.
• Failing to Address Pinch Points: Any area where two moving parts can come together poses a serious hazard. Machines must be designed to eliminate or minimize pinch points.
• Not Using the Right Safeguards for the Job: Different machines require different safeguarding measures. Generic solutions may not be effective and could leave workers vulnerable.
• Bypassing Safety Devices: Tampering with or removing safety interlocks in order to increase productivity is a dangerous shortcut that can lead to accidents.
• Neglecting Preventative Maintenance: Regular inspection and maintenance of safeguards is essential to ensure they are functioning properly.

By being aware of these common mistakes and taking proactive steps to avoid them, companies can help to improve their machine safety record.

A Safer Work Environment
Our team of safety professionals go beyond just meeting compliance standards. We offer a tailored approach that prioritizes your specific needs and help to keep your workforce safe. Contact us today to discuss your machine safety requirements, address standards questions or concerns, and to take steps to create a safer work environment.