In 2022, 195 deaths of Australian workers were reported due to various work-related issues. In 2015, average annual death rate per 100,000 workers due to malfunctioning machinery was 8.12.
As upsetting as the scenario is, it does come with a viable solution: conducting detailed machinery pre-starts. You do that right, and you’ll find it easy to maintain compliance, reduce workplace incidents, and avoid lost productivity.Â
A pre-start check is a routine inspection carried out on equipment/machinery by the operator before using it. By completing a pre-start check, you confirm if the machine is in proper working condition and note any faulty equipment.
Typically, pre-starts encompass two to three stages.
Well, that’s how a machinery pre-start is performed. By now, you would have gotten an idea of its significance. Let’s throw more light on that.
Over the years, organizations particularly those that require the use of heavy and complicated machinery have started conducting regular machinery pre-starts. Some prominent reasons behind this shift include the following:
Yes, you guessed it right- the number one reason to perform a machinery pre-start is to keep your workers safe. Machinery pre-starts diagnose the visible and potential problems with the workplace machinery.
Naturally, when a malfunctioning machine isn’t used, you can easily avoid the risk of unfortunate accidents and injuries. Not only does a pre start keep the operators safe, but it also protects the other workers working in the equipment’s vicinity.
The number of workplace injuries and fatalities in Australia has reduced significantly since 2007. Stringent workplace safety programs and performing machinery pre-starts is a substantial factor in this improvement.
In addition, a machinery pre start also increases the machinery’s longevity. Regular checks are a proactive approach to practicing preventive maintenance.
Identifying the defects in the equipment allows you to address them on time. Each dollar that you spend on preventive maintenance saves you thousands of dollars in future replacements and repairs. And of course, the machines stay up and running too.
Imagine the on-site and legal complications and expenses you’d have to go through if a worker gets injured due to operating defective machinery.
Depending on the degree of temporary and permanent impairment, the compensation you are likely to offer to an injured worker ranges between $10,000 to $170,000 and even more. By performing regular machinery pre-starts, you can decrease the likelihood of such predicaments.
Machinery downtime is an annoying and common problem in workplaces. Having an equipment break down unexpectedly, especially in the middle of a task, does create unnecessary chaos. It also adversely affects your productivity.
Executing pre-start checks on a regular basis allows you to understand potential problems before they turn into massive issues. With this approach, you can steer clear of unexpected downtime due to defective equipment as well as due to injured workers.
Machinery pre-starts along with a safety management system are essential to build a safe and reliable work environment. Before doing a machinery pre start, always make sure to have a machinery pre start checklist. The checklist reminds you of the different things to check for in the machines. Regular checks make it easier for you to get timely repairs.
A machinery pre-start checklist includes a list of all tasks or items that need to be examined before using the equipment. This checklist should be available at all times and provided to the workers responsible for conducting the pre-start.
Usually, a machinery pre-start inspection checklist consists of the following:
The pre-start checklist varies from one machine to another. Forklifts have different parts as compared to concrete mixers and bulldozers. So naturally, their pre-start would be dissimilar.
Make sure to make a list of all the machinery that your company uses, and have pre-start checklists prepared accordingly.
Machinery pre-starts cannot prevent all deaths, unfortunate incidents and unexpected expenses. Having said that, they are pivotal in preventing many such occurrences. Moreover, they also enhance the overall safety of your workplace. As a result, it builds employee trust, and in turn, improves involvement and boosts productivity. n
If you are yet to practice regular pre-starts in your workplace, start doing them now.
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