Mecmesin MultiTest-0.5i, Operating Manual

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A Guide to Safe Use of Mains Powered Test Systems
Mecmesin
 17
6. Operator Safety
6.1 Training
Before using either the test system or guarding, it is essential that each person operating
the equipment is fully trained in the safe use of motorised testing systems and the
guarding’s functionality. Training can be arranged by contacting Mecmesin Ltd or an
authorised distributor.
Mecmesin test systems have the ability to generate forces large enough to
cause permanent injury to human limbs, when placed between the
crosshead and the base. Fingers, hands and other parts of the body should be
kept away from the moving crosshead and shroud opening.
Interlocked machine guards should be considered in all test methods as they
provide additional ingress protection to the end user. This helps to reduce
the risk of injuries occurring due to contact between the test system and the
operator.
All tests systems contain dust preventative moving blinds (bellows). These
conceal a potential mechanical hazard and should not be tampered with,
especially when the machine is running.
6.2 Avoid prolonged use of the console or keyboard and mouse
Prolonged use of devices with a touch screen or a keyboard and mouse may
lead to repetitive strain injury. Users should be made aware that excessive
use of the keyboard and mouse or the touch screen should be avoided, and
frequent rest breaks are recommended.
6.3 Eye protection and protective clothing
Although a standard Mecmesin interlocked guard will provide some
protection against projectiles that may be ejected when a brittle sample
fails, the device has primarily been designed to provide ingress protection
to prevent the operator and other items from coming into contact with the
moving test system.
For materials or test methods where there is a potential for high energy
impacts with the guarding, Mecmesin recommend consultation with their
design team, (directly or through a local agent) to correctly specify
application and safety requirements.