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Safety is important in all manufacturing industries, from food to cars to clothing manufacturing. While everyone knows workplace safety is crucial, the technologies keeping workers safe are often overlooked. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 5,190 workers were killed while working in 2016, and the top four causes of these deaths were falling, being struck by an object, electrocution and getting caught in between equipment. Back in March, a BMW worker in South Carolina was killed when he got caught in a machine in the paint shop. Accidents like this one could have been stopped with one or a few of these following technologies, which are key to keeping manufacturing workers safe on a day-to-day basis.

1) Light Curtains

Light curtains are optical electronic devices that create a type of boundary for a machine or robot while it is working. These systems consist of a transmitter and receiver that work together to project light, sequencing and pulsing it across the area around a working machine to fence it in. The light can detect when a person or an object gets too close, then relay this data to slow or shut down the machine to prevent a person from getting hurt.

2) Series Elastic Actuators (SEAs)

SEAs measure and monitor impacts, obstructions, excess forces and anything else that could be a safety hazard around manufacturing machines. SEAs are a part of motor actuators which can disable motor power and more. SEAs improve safety while also providing energy efficiency, shock absorption and force control. This reduces wear and tear of a machine over time. SEAs can also work together with other safety technologies, such as light curtains.

Workplace safety is paramount in manufacturing. Light curtains shown above. Source: Radwell International photographer Julie Bazsello

3) Hand-Guided Operations

Hand-guided operations refer to instances in which a human worker manually moves, controls or repositions a machine by hand in order to do the next task, allowing the machine to work as a partner. In some instances the machine is controlled by a joystick. Hand-guiding is not appropriate for fast operations because of the time needed to guide the machine; hand-guided machines operate at a slower, safer pace in order to optimize the human/machine interface.

4) 3D Imaging Technology

3D imaging is used to gather images of robots and machines from all angles, including angles that workers operating the machine cannot see. If a machine breaks or stops working, an operator can then view the whole machine and quickly identify any areas of danger before attempting to fix a problem.

5) Digital Signage

Widely used in sports arenas and advertising, digital signage is a useful tool for manufacturing safety as well. Signs can be used to display equipment information, alert workers to machine breakdowns and offer safety warnings, including notifications about leaking chemicals or gases.

Technology is often in the spotlight when it makes visible contributions to society, such as medical breakthroughs and other newsworthy innovations, but tends to be less visible when it comes to safety. However, its importance in keeping workers safe cannot be overstated. There are many more technological innovations currently being utilized for safety than one might expect. Which of these technologies do you think is the most useful? Let us know in the comments!