From simple fences to complex systems
Protective enclosures are special partition wall systems, covers or cabins that safely enclose machines and systems or even just safety-relevant system parts in order to minimize the danger that can emanate from them.
Even a machine at rest poses hazards, such as sharp edges, rough surfaces or openings. Machines in motion are more dangerous if dust development, flying sparks or whirling chips are to be expected.
Safety enclosures that are specially tailored to the location and consistently separate people and machines can minimize the hazards posed by the machines. For this reason, they should be used wherever machines and systems pose a danger to employees, but also where machines need to be protected from human intervention or flying parts.
Access to the machines can be ensured by special gates which, depending on requirements, are equipped with a safety device, for example, to shut down the machine. These can be electrically monitored safety fences or safety fences with light barriers. Safety enclosures can be adapted very flexibly to the respective requirements of the plant.
In some plants, a simple mesh fence is sufficient, while others require a complex system including "warrior protection", which is a construction consisting of slats and bellows. Especially for machine tools, for example, there are so-called "bullet-proof" protective enclosures that completely seal off the machine from the outside world and thus ensure safe and undisturbed production. Access to the machine can be via sliding, folding, lifting or rolling doors, as required.
New technologies generate new fields of action
Ever new technologies demand constant adaptation of occupational safety measures in all areas of the value-added process. Complex systems in production and logistics are constantly generating new fields of action for occupational health and safety.
There are around 15 million jobs in the manufacturing industry in Germany. Jobs that will continue to change in their processes due to digitalisation, bringing with them ever new machines and systems. Artificial intelligence will additionally reshape this working world. The safety and health protection of employees, but also the maintenance of the smooth functioning of machines, systems and robots can be satisfied with suitable protective enclosures.
Such protective devices are expressly required by law. Annex I of the European Union Directive 2006/42 sets minimum standards for basic safety and health protection with regard to the design and construction of machines and systems. They are intended to ensure that machines and systems traded and operated within the European Union take certain safety standards into account at the time of their construction. For example, the directive stipulates, among other things, that precautions must be taken to protect workers from parts falling from or ejected by the machinery. Safety enclosures meet these requirements in every way. They are available in a wide variety of designs, precisely tailored to the needs of the respective company.