W O R K S H O P
SEE-THROUGH
POLYCARBONATES
RESPOND TO NEW GENERATION MACHINERY SAFETY NEEDS
Advances in engineering plastics are delivering new machinery and structural safeguarding
benefits with light and extraordinarily strong see-through materials such as Wearguard
polycarbonates which can be used in place of metals for outstanding protection against hazards.
These transparent
and tough materials -
which simultaneously
facilitate high visibility
of processes at the same time
as providing protection against
hazards - are well suited to industrial
machinery retrofits, updates and
new technology installations as
employers introduce advanced and
often high-speed machinery to gain
the benefits of digital automation
initiatives under Industry 4.0.
“As the pace of industrial change
accelerates, employers have a
commensurate obligation to update
their risk management plans in
accordance with recognised Safe
Work codes and employer Duties
of Care,” says engineering plastics
industry authority Laurie Green.
These changing needs – and the
see-through protective materials
applicable to them – particularly
apply to industries that may
be employing new technology
or introducing new workplace
environments centring on highspeed
production, distribution and
maintenance. The environments
against which employees must be
protected include impact and injury
hazard, moving parts and electrical,
heat and chemical processes
across a diversity of industries –
ranging from mineral processing
and bulk materials handling,
through to metals fabrication,
36 March 2020