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Industrial Hydraulics: Safety Training Every Facility Needs

Industrial hydraulics are mechanical machines that operate by employing force of liquid pressure. In industrial hydraulic-based machines, the mechanical displacement is produced by pumped, contained liquid, typically through piping that displace pistons.

Industrial hydraulics are component mechatronics, it combines electronics, mechanical and software engineering in the design and manufacturing of products. Industrial hydraulics leverage the power and intelligence developed via advanced hydraulics technology to break through limits and set new benchmarks for performance, life span and functionality.

Industrial hydraulics are designed with versatile and high performance monitoring and control components. These devices are tailor-made to meet different industrial applications. High systems performance and energy of the industrial hydraulics application are dependent on the power pack. Some of the systems have hydraulic servo pumps together with frequency converters and pressure sensors to enhance the performance levels and reduce energy consumption and the size of the hydraulic tank and the amount of piping installed.

Difference from Hydraulic Systems Utilized in Other Contexts

Industrial hydraulics are more or less the same us pneumatic systems in operation. Both the systems utilize fluids, but unlike pneumatics, industrial hydraulics utilize liquids rather than gasses. Industrial hydraulics are capable of intense pressure up to 10000 pounds per square inch (psi) unlike other pneumatic systems that can work at 100psi.

The high pressure exhibited by the industrial hydraulics is attributed to the incompressibility of fluid which allow them to achieve extreme power transfer with increased efficiency as energy is dissipated to compression, except in the case of pneumatic systems where air is utilized to fill the hydraulic lines. The fluid that are utilized in industrial hydraulic systems may cool, lubricate and transmit power simultaneously. Pneumatics are multifaceted in nature thus requiring lubrication and cooling.

Reasons Why Safety Training is Essential for all Your Workers

Numerous occupational standards and regulations explicitly requires you as the employer to train all your employee in all the health as safety aspects of their workplace. Occupational health and safety standards makes it your legal responsibility to limit certain tasks to competent, certified or qualified employees: meaning they have completed specialized training to perform specific duties and are aware of the health hazards. However, in any industrial set up it is essential to train all your employees to minimize risk or loss in case any hazard strikes.

Training help limit risks. You should incorporate hydraulic safety training into your company’s health and safety training process. Employee training needs should be based on their exposure to hydraulic systems. It enables them to identify the telltale signs of equipment that require maintenance thus saving time and money that would be incurred when conducting repairs.

Today, less than 1% of the industrial hydraulic systems comply with the OSHA’s Energy Control Procedure 1910.147 ©(4)(i). Training enables you to procedurally document, develop and utilize procedures to control potentially hazardous energy. It ensures that your employees are safe when engaging in their daily operations.

Benefits of Formal Training in Hydraulics

Formal training enables your employees to autonomously carry out daily checks (oil level, leaks, clogging filters) to avoid problems and actively schedule routine maintenance in a safe and efficient manner. It prevents loss of life and valuable equipment. Having certified professionals working for your company will thwart any non-compliance law suits in case of any hydraulic hazard.

It introduces proper safety measures that should be followed during maintenance. For instance, wearing personal protective equipment, refraining from solely relying on hydraulic lift when working on hydraulic components with the systems raised, unless bleeding the machine, it is not advisable to run the machine engine among other cautionary measures that will ensure safety of your workers and equipment.

Employees learn the proper procedures to employ when adjusting or removing any component. Releasing the hydraulic pressure is recommended before adjusting or removing any component. The hot fluid in the systems is normally under high pressure, a worker can sustain burns, cuts, bruises or fluid injection if not keen. Training workers enables them to refrain from mixing low and high pressure coupler components. Such mismatched components can lead to rapture in fitting of hose which can be fatal.

Training cautions your employees not to locate leaks in any hydraulic line using their hands, because, compressed fluid released through any leak can penetrate the skin or eyes, causing injection injuries. Instead, running a piece of paper, cardboard, wood or Plexiglas along the hydraulic line can help determine the location of the leak. Following proper procedures during such situations are properly covered through adequate training.

Does Your Facility Need Hydraulics Safety Training?

NTT Training is dedicated in providing appropriate training to help mitigate and reduce exposure to hydraulic hazards. You should consider enlisting your professionals to the Hydraulic and Systems Troubleshooting course to prepare them to properly thwart or mitigated any hydraulic hazards. Connect with us today for more information!