Page 14 - MetalForming November 2013

Safety Update
Type 4 Light Curtains Slimmed Down for Nonintrusive Installation
Germany-based sensor and control manfuacturer ifm efec- tor, inc., with U.S. offices in Exton, PA, has introduced a new line of compact, low-profile safety light curtains that can provide finger, hand and body protection in a variety of indus- trial applications. ifm Type 4 light curtains provide a multi- beam barrier of infrared light in front of a hazardous area. The light curtain continuously mon- itors itself for faults. A tight effective aperture angle of 2.5 deg. reduces risk of optical short circuits, and the cur- tains include duplicate criti- cal components and circuits in
order to provide a backup system should the primary system fail.
The light curtains are offered in protective heights of 160 to 1510 mm, in 150- mm increments. Their slim housing design measures only 28 by 30 mm for an easy, nonintrusive fit in tight spaces. The 24-V DC units have a protection rating of IP65/IP67 and an infrared wavelength of 950 nm. Options are available for muting and blank-
ing applications.
ifm efector, inc.: 800/441-8246; www.ifm.com/us
Welding Helmet a 2013 Invention Award Winner
The Windmaker welding helmet, developed by metalworker Michael Buckman and recognized as a 2013 Invention Award winner by Popular Science magazine, draws in air through the back and pushes it through a HEPA-rated filter for the wearer to breathe. Because the air is being
circulated into the mask
by a fan, the helmet’s
design cools the skin
and prevents the face-
plate from fogging. The
Windmaker also expels
air, pushing fumes away,
and has LED lights along
its faceplate that illu-
minate the work area.
The helmet, which has yet to be tested by the National Institute of Occupation- al Safety and Health, is designed to create a filtered clean-air space inside, while keeping the user’s view illuminated and clear of obstruction. Photovoltaic cells recharge the helmet’s batteries from the light emitted by welding flash, to increase battery life.
Product-development firm Salient Technologies, Inc. (STI), Bozeman, MT, developed a proof-of-concept prototype—fully functional and including an auto-dimming screen,
LED illumination, filtered air intakes and exhaust system. Using rapid prototyping and RTV molding processes, STI com- bined off-the-shelf components and rapid- molded proprietary components into a functional and aesthetic prototype.
Learn more and view a demonstration video at www.salient-tech.com/helmet.
Hand Hygiene— Important Do’s and Don’ts
Dirt, grit, irritants and harsh chemicals combine with heat, cold and other envi- ronmental factors to create the perfect storm for occupational skin diseases. A skin inflammation resulting from exposure to irritants or allergens, contact der- matitis can range from a slight redden- ing and itching to rashes and sores.
Contact dermatitis annually costs employers billions of dollars. Ongoing medical care associated with the disease adds up to more than $1.4 billion, according to a study from The Society for Investigative Dermatology and The Acad- emy of Dermatology Association. The study also showed contact dermatitis costs another $500 million in productivity losses.
The National Occupational Research Agenda reports that once workers acquire contact dermatitis, an estimated 75 percent of the cases become chronic, requiring ongoing medical care and affecting workers’ well-being. It is impor- tant, therefore, to reduce exposure to common irritants, use products designed to clean and condition tough-soiled hands and following a healthy skin wash- ing and skin care regimen.
Here are tips for proper skin care in manufacturing operations, offered by Gojo Industries, Akron, OH, a manufacturer of skin-care and other hygiene products.
Do’s of Skin Care
• Condition skin often. Before and after work, and after each washing.
• Wash hands regularly.
• Wash with the right kind of cleaner.
12 MetalForming/November 2013
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