For at least 15 years we have specialized in retractable guarding to protect factory employees who must work in close proximity to dangerous machinery. In the past, a lot of our work has been in the steel processing industry, a manufacturing segment that has recently been hit hard by the recession. To be frank, in this economy the installation of effective guarding is frequently considered to be a discretionary expense that can be put off until the champagne once again flows — or at least until an OSHA inspector creates a previously absent sense of urgency.So, I've recently been pouring over OSHA reports to see which industry segments have significant guarding violations, hoping to uncover a new market for Extendamatic guarding, and hopefully to do some good at the same time. Among others, the oil drilling companies stood out. It appears that OSHA visits drilling sites on a regular basis. Who knew?
But most intriguing to me was how retractable guarding could be a perfect solution for protecting workers in a hazardous, compact area such as an oil rig. At least in theory. After all, perception is not always reality and I needed to know for certain.
I began calling drilling companies both large and small, some with serious OSHA violations and accompanying fines, and others that were as clean as the proverbial whistle. I was both pleased and surprised at their interest in my spiel, particularly when I uttered the magic word — retractable! It seems that guarding that virtually disappears when not in use is of keen interest to them. As one safety director put it, "If you can blow me away, I'll be calling you back." I gave him the website address and am now staring at the phone in the eager anticipation of his return call.
One word. Retractable. It's power is amazing, because it reveals possibilities that never before existed. What was confined and difficult to guard is now easy — what was potentially dangerous is now safe.
I wonder if Extendamatic guarding will work on submarines?
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