It isn’t surprising to learn that the most common causes of non-fatal accidents include losing control of machines, tools, or transport, and handling equipment. The equipment used in workspaces – ranging from construction to healthcare-is not just necessary for production and efficiency, but also key components of human health and safety. Well-designed equipment can help prevent accidents, infections, and injuries, and improve productivity. Poor design, in contrast, can not only impact workspaces but also efficiency and reputation.
Following the Hierarchy of Controls
The hierarchy of controls is a method of identifying and ranking safeguards to protect workers from risks. They are arranged from most to least effective and include eliminating hazards, substituting hazardous materials with safer alternatives, engineering controls to separate people from hazards, administrative controls to change how people work, and personal protective equipment. For instance, in the case of a noisy piece of equipment, such as a compressor, the hierarchy aims to remove the noise (through utilization of a quieter compressor), or, if the equipment cannot be replaced, to place it in a separate room. If risk persists, companies can rotate noisy tasks to reduce exposure and ensure workers have appropriate hearing protection. Hazards can also be eliminated at the design stage-for instance, by designing equipment with round rather than sharp corners, by lowering operating temperatures or pressures, by using less toxic materials, and by automating equipment shut-offs when limits are exceeded.
Keeping Infection at Bay
In healthcare settings, the spread of infection through equipment such as stethoscopes, thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, surgical instruments, ventilators, catheters, endoscopes, and intravenous (IV) devices poses a grave risk to patient safety. As noted by Innerspace, bacteria aren’t only passed through physical contact but also through poor storage equipment. Technology goes a long way toward bridging the gap. For instance, smart storage solutions help clean and dry equipment via HEPA filter technology. Smart cabinets, meanwhile, feature smart locking, medication identification, and personal passcodes to ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive medications. Other design innovations include manufacturing equipment with antimicrobial materials and coatings, designing disposable equipment (e.g., caps and valves in endoscopes), and implementing closed systems. The latter include closed IV systems (which prevent microbial entry), closed suction systems in ventilators, and needleless connectors and sealed drug-transfer devices. Finally, many commonly used items can be designed with touchless technology. Examples include motion-activated soap dispensers, voice-controlled equipment, and foot pedal-operated trash cans and doors.
Embracing Ergonomics
Poorly designed equipment can cause everything from musculoskeletal disorders to fatigue and even mobility problems, impacting a health professional’s ability to deliver efficient, safe service. Ergonomic office products go a long way toward avoiding the pain, shakiness, and inflammation that can accompany injury caused due to continued use of poorly designed equipment. Ergonomic features to include in equipment are ergonomically shaped handles, equipment with reduced or no vibration and noise, and control positioning to enhance a natural, comfortable posture. Ergonomics is not just for those working in health. For instance, ergonomic keyboards and mice can help reduce wrist strain and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome for practically anyone in a sedentary job. In industrial workplaces, meanwhile, equipment such as mechanical lifting aids (e.g., hoists and conveyors) can help reduce manual lifting and back injuries. In the construction industry, tool belts designed to distribute weight, lightweight power tools with vibration damping, and kneeling pads and ergonomic ladders can all help mitigate joint pain and posture strain.
Harnessing the Power of Automation
Automation is a buzzword across a wide array of industries. Technologies such as AI, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and robotics and automation are driving major advances in workplace safety. For instance, advanced robotics is used for tasks requiring high speed and precision, such as electronics assembly. In construction and logistics, meanwhile, robots with collision detection are helping to reduce accident rates. Other automated and smart systems that are changing the way countless people work include smart PPE that monitors the wearer’s health, sensors that detect gas leaks, heat, or pressure anomalies, and predictive maintenance systems.
Key Protective Features
It is vital that machines be fitted with physical safeguards, especially when heavy, sharp, or fast-moving machinery is employed. Useful design features include special locking systems that stop machines when doors to the manufacturing area are opened, emergency stop buttons, light curtains and sensors, and machine guards and shields. It is also helpful for all machines to have human-centered control interfaces, so that workers can clearly understand how to start, use, and stop machines. Clarity can be achieved through clear labeling and color coding, a logical layout of controls, and default settings that stop machines when errors occur.
Optimal equipment design is vital for workplace safety. The hierarchy of controls, ergonomic principles, automation, and protective features can all help companies reduce their accident rates and improve efficiency. Investing in thoughtful equipment design protects employees, enhances productivity, and strengthens organizational reputation.
