Lovegreen Risk Management and Leuze Electronic Announce Strategic Partnership

Lovegreen Risk Management, LLC, a machine safety solutions company, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Leuze Electronic, Inc. This association offers customers more machine safeguarding options by combining Lovegreen’s vast guarding experience with the worldwide integration capabilities of Leuze Electronic.

Leuze offers an extensive line of optical-electronic products including safety light curtains and grids, laser area scanners, a full line of sensor products, bar code readers for both standard and 2D applications, optical data transmission as well as innovative positioning systems using barcode or laser measurement technology. Leuze products are reliable, durable and user friendly.

"Our decision to partner with Leuze was based on our customers' desire for complete machine guarding solutions from a single vendor. They have earned the reputation of solving even the most difficult applications,” said Bob Adomaitis, Vice President of Lovegreen. “Their product selection and technical assistance made Leuze the logical choice to partner with."

About Lovegreen - Founded in 1948, Lovegreen Industrial Services is located in Eagan, MN, minutes south of Minneapolis / St. Paul metropolitan area. Founded by Vernon Lovegreen Sr. in 1948, it remains a family owned business. Our core businesses include a Millwright Division, Machine and Fabrication facility and a Machine Safeguarding Department. With over 30 years of machine guarding experience, Lovegreen Risk Management is here to help protect your employees from injuries. Services offered include on-site machine guarding surveys, risk assessments, guarding installation services and guarding supplies.

About Leuze USA - Leuze USA was established in 1994 as part of the Leuze group with more than 15 subsidiaries and nearly 2000 employees all over the globe. Leuze USA has developed a reputation for providing high-technology value added products and outstanding customer support as solution provider for a wide range of industries. Main applications are industrial automation, material handling, packaging, food and beverage process, pharmaceutical and printing industries. Leuze systems can be quickly linked to all common international field bus systems, while customized Leuze software solutions offer a maximum operating convenience.

To learn more about how this partnership can help your meet your machine safeguarding needs, please contact Frank Schmidt at fschmidt@lovegreen.com or by phone at 800-262-8284.

http://www.lovegreen.com/

http://www.leuzeusa.com/

Lovegreen Machine Safeguarding Products and Services Catalog

Lovegreen Risk Management, LLC announces that its updated product catalog is now available. The new, 32 page, color catalog features a large variety of machine safeguarding products and services designed to make your work place safer. This is a comprehensive product catalog showcases machine safeguarding products for aerospace, manufacturing and general industry.

The catalog is an easy-to-use reference for sourcing machine-safeguarding products. Products include chip shields, barrier guarding and motor controllers. Also featured in the catalog are process controls, including interlocks, light curtains and rope pull switches. Each product page contains product photos and descriptions to help you find the right guarding solution.

In addition to safety products, the catalog lists a variety of machine safeguarding services. Services offered include on-site machine guarding surveys, risk assessments, guarding installation services and industrial safety training.

An electronic download of the catalog is available at http://www.lovegreen.com/catalog.pdf . To obtain a printed catalog at no charge, or to learn how Lovegreen can meet your machine safeguarding needs, please contact Frank Schmidt at fschmidt@lovegreen.com or by calling 800-262-8284.

Lovegreen Risk Management has over 30 years of assisting schools and employers in complying with machine safeguarding regulations. Founded by Vernon Lovegreen Sr. in 1948 and located in Eagan, MN, it is a 3rd generation, family owned business. Our core businesses include a Millwright Division, Machine and Fabrication facility and Machine Safeguarding.

http://www.lovegreen.com/

Subscribe to Our Free Machine Safeguarding Newsletter Today!

Did you know that there are no laws that require manufacturers to produce machines and tools with machine guarding devices? Yet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hold employers responsible for the safety of your workers, which includes reducing or eliminating the hazards of your machinery.

One way to do this is to add shields and other safeguarding devices to your machines. Another is to keep abreast of the latest regulations as they come out from OSHA, and stay informed of the newest techniques and equipment that can make your machines even safer to operate.

You do not have time to scour the news, trade journals and Internet daily to learn of the latest developments. This is where Lovegreen Risk Management can help you keep on top of all the happenings in machine guarding and occupational safety.

Lovegreen Risk Management has over 30 years experience in the machine guarding business. Not only do we research the market to sell the best equipment available to safeguard your machines, we constantly monitor the regulatory process to make sure we are informed on the latest regulations and developments. We offer consultation services to help you evaluate the current safety of your machines, and to suggest changes where needed.

Now we are making the newest information available to you in a monthly email newsletter, completely free and without obligation! This simple, one page summary of recent developments, has links to further details if you need to know more.

Can you use information like this? Recent Lovegreen newsletters included stories such as:

• OSHA Fines Manufacturer More than $3 Million
• Leuze Safety Laser Scanners
• Machine Safety Assessment
• Safety Switch Mat Systems
• Is Your Workplace Exempted from OSHA Programmed Inspections?

With OSHA recently announcing a stepped-up program of workplace inspections, and with steep fines as punishment for non-compliance, you cannot afford NOT to be aware of the latest information on machine guarding and safeguarding your workplace!

You will receive the newsletter once a month, and as an added bonus, the newsletter will include information on the latest sales and deals offered by Lovegreen, some available only to our subscribers!

Lovegreen will not inundate your inbox with emails, nor will be sell your email address to any other companies.

So sign up for the Lovegreen Machine Safeguarding Monthly newsletter at our website today! Go to http://www.lovegreen.com/ and scroll down to the bottom of the front page for a simple sign-up process.





(Click on image to sign up now!)

Stop Time Measurement is now available from Lovegreen Machine Safety!

Current OSHA regulations and ANSI standards requires that a machine's stop time be measured to determine how long it takes a machine to stop after a stop signal is given.

Most accidents occur as a result of a reflex action or simply not paying attention to one''s surroundings. Often a machine operator will instinctively reach for something when there is a problem. Or they will be focused on a task and enter a hazardous area without thinking about it. Tripping towards a hazard is another common occurrence. In these situations, it is necessary that the machine''s safety devices stop the machine before the hazard is reached.

Stop-time measurement readings taken on individual machines are used to determine the minimum safety distance required for placement of the machine''s operating controls or safeguarding devices used during production. This is critical when using presence sensing devices like light curtains, pressure mats, laser scanners, etc.

Location of a safety component, whether hard guarding or electronic, is based upon the machine''s stopping time. Simply stated, a safety component should be placed far enough away from the risk area that it is not possible to reach the hazard before the machine has stopped. Safety devices are then installed using the minimum safe distance.

Stop time measurement should be performed on an annual basis in order to insure that the machine stop time has not changed. Machine maintenance, brake wear, machine alterations and other factors can extend the machine''s stopping time. If the machine stops slower than it once did, then the current safety components will need to be adjusted to continue providing the correct level of safety. For these and other reasons it is important to perform an annual stop time analysis.

Not sure how to get started?
Lovegreen can provide stop-time measurement readings for various types of industrial machines, including mechanical and hydraulic power presses, press brakes and on machines that utilize rotational movement like conveyors, indexing tables, and production line drive shafts. Experienced Lovegreen personnel conduct the inspections using a stop-time measurement device to take the stop-time readings. Lovegreen uses the same stop time analysis Saftimeter as OSHA to assure consistent results.

Inspections include details on each machine as to its compliance to current safety regulations (OSHA) and current safety standards (ANSI). Stop-time measurement readings taken on individual machines are used to help determine the minimum safety distance required for placement of the machine’s operating controls or safeguarding devices used during production operations, such as safety blocks and die blocks.

Please call us at 1.800.262.8284 or e-mail us for more information or to set up a visit to your facility.

Lovegreen Machine Safety provides machine guarding, risk assessment and safety training to help protect your business, institution or school.

http://www.lovegreen.com/

Stop Time Analysis - More Info

What is MSDS ?

MSDS or a Material Safety Data Sheet is the documentation of all the information on the potential hazards imposed by a chemical product or substance whenever they are used by people. The dangers primarily include fire hazards, effects of radioactivity, environmental hazards and other possible harm to the health of a human being. Not just the information about the potential dangers, an MSDS is supposed to contain information regarding the proper handling of the chemical substances or product to avoid the hazards and also information on steps that need to be taken in case of the occurrence of any of the hazards.

Who needs the MSDS ? The MSDS is a document that can be allowed to access by everyone. However, an ordinary consumer doesn’t have a direct interaction with a chemical substance and thus, needn’t necessarily have a deeper understanding of the MSDS (a knowledge about the hazards of these substances isn’t bad though). Workers or employees who have come in contact with these chemical substances on a day-to-day basis needs to have a thorough understanding of the MSDS and must always carry a copy of it along too. Such employees include the ones working in any chemical manufacturing factory, cleaning industry, recycling industry and so on.

How to find an MSDS ? An MSDS should be available in every workplace pertaining to chemical industry or an industry whose employees work involves a close contact with chemical substances and products. In case of non-availability of Material Safety Data Sheets in the workplace, the supplier of the material or substance should be contacted and asked to provide a MSDS.

It’s crucial to train the employees as to how to use the MSDS. Mere distribution of MSDS won’t assure safety. Thus, an effective and informative training session is necessary.

Article by Anirban Bhattacharya

For more information about this important topic, please visit Lovegreen Machine Guarding

Protect Yourself From Amputations

Amputations are widespread and involve a variety of activities and equipment. Each year, thousands of employees lose fingers, hands, feet, and other body parts–mostly through compression, crushing, or by getting them caught between or struck by objects. Most amputations involve fingertips.

High-Risk Activities

Amputations occur most often when employees operate unguarded or inadequately safegarded:

• Mechanical power presses
• Power press brakes
• Powered and non-powered conveyors
• Printing presses
• Roll-forming and roll-bending machines
• Food slicers
• Meat grinders
• Band saws
• Drill presses
• Milling machines
• Shears, grinders, and slitters
• Table and portable saws
  

Recognize and avoid amputation hazards through guarding, safe work practices, employee training, administrative controls and operating in a safe manner. The best way to prevent amputations caused by stationary or portable machinery is with machine safeguarding.

Guards provide physical barriers to hazardous areas. They should be secure and strong, and employees should not be able to bypass, remove, or tamper with them. Guards should not obstruct the operator’s view or prevent employees from working.

Devices help prevent contact with points of operation and may replace or supplement guards. Devices can interrupt the normal cycle of the machine when the operator’s hands are at the point of operation.

Have more questions? Please call us at 1-800-262-8284 or email us today and let us help you.

For more complete information:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA

This article is from the OSHA website. The full article appears at http://www.osha.gov/Publications/amputations-qc.html

Are Your Machines Safe or Unsafe?

The answer is usually somewhere in between. By their nature, machines can be dangerous even when used in a proper manner. Many manufacturers continue to build and sell their tools without the necessary safeguards and electrical controls required by OSHA and various safety regulations. Our experience shows that improper guarding can slow down production and create a safety hazard.

This article is a basic introduction to machine safeguarding. The reader can download a free, simple survey that will allow them to check for common machine guarding violations including improper point of operation protection and incorrect motor controls.

Do you know what an accident can cost you?
A single accident can mess up your finances for years. Money set aside for a new car or vacation is spent on doctor bills. You may be off work for months or unable to return at all. You will spend your free time battling your insurance company to get a fair settlement. If the accident happens at work, a legal judgment against an employer can easily bankrupt an otherwise healthy company.

Why Install Machine Guards?
Simply stated, so you do not get hurt or hurt anyone around you. Machine use can be dangerous, even when you are careful. Unfortunately, not every machine will perform the intended function without posing an injury hazard to the operator. By installing machine guards at work, an employer can save money by reducing insurance rates, increasing productivity and protecting employees.

Machine manufacturers are not required to provide motor controllers and safeguarding equipment that meets OSHA standards. OSHA requires that you the employer make sure all of the machines in the workplace comply with relevant regulations.

Where Do Hazards Occur?
Most machine hazards occur in three main places. The point of operation, (where a blade cuts a piece of wood), power transmission, (belt and pulleys) and power controllers. Just download the free machine survey and find out quickly.

Following the survey will help you uncover the most common safety problems with woodworking and metal working machines. For example, if you have a drill press, the page on drill presses lists the most common areas that need
attention. Answer each question either yes or no to determine if safeguarding is required.

What do I do if I uncover a problem?
A machine's safeguarding is usually neither safe nor unsafe, but somewhere in between. Your job is to find ways to manage the risk and provide a safe and healthful working environment. Sometimes the fix is as simple as installing a panel over the hazard with tamper proof hardware.

In most cases, the safety risk cannot be eliminated so it must be managed. This is accomplished by guarding the hazard with physical barriers and electronic devices. Barriers and shields are used to reduce the level of risk and probability of an accident.

If you do find a problem that you do not know how to fix you can we can help you decide on how to safeguard your machine so that it complies with relevant standards. Email us or call Frank at 800-262-8284 for more information.