Think safe when you automate

摘要

Philip Shardlow of Omron, explains why a simple, holistic, approach is the best solution to balance the operational demands imposed by daily production pressures within a safety control system. As competition increases and pressures on margins continues, manufacturers throughout the UK find themselves with the triple challenge of needing to make more products, at a higher quality, with fewer resources. Increased focus on safety in the workplace makes this challenge even more demanding. While there is a resulting move to progressively automate specific manufacturing processes, historically process and safety control systems have worked independently, often to the detriment of overall machine efficiency. It is therefore crucial within system design to maintain a clear understanding of the plant's overall purpose so as not to compromise either future operational effectiveness or safety control obligations.