Machine Guarding exists to protect the machine operator, provide a designated zone for the machine to safely operate in, and offer protection against slow-moving vehicle damage (such as forklifts). Statistically, one in four Australian workers have close contact with some form of machinery in the workplace every day and all workers should expect to be safeguarded against incidents that could cause injury or loss of life.

What type of machinery guarding should I buy?

This will greatly depend on what machinery you have in your business and what specific guarding it will require. At TSS we specialise in machinery guarding and zoning barricades, generally used for larger machinery, or site-specific applications found in warehouses, factories, distribution centres, or logistics depots. The De-Fence range has varied sizes of mesh panels, polycarbonate infills, and powder coated posts and can be installed at double height reaching close to 2.5m tall. These modular sections can be configured or customised to surround almost any type of machinery, loading zone, or unauthorised access areas.

Where should I install machinery guarding barricades?

The panels and posts of a machine guard barricade should fully enclose the perimeter of the machine. There should be no gaps between the fencing where a person could fit through. If required, the panels should be installed at double height to ensure tall or large machines are safely surrounded. Swing or sliding gates should have their locking mechanism activated prior to the machine being operated.

Along with surrounding machines in operation, sections of mesh panels and posts can be installed to provided zoned walkways between machinery or other hazards.

What type of machine guard gate do I need?

It is always recommended to refer to the Australian Standards for Machinery Guarding (AS 4024.1-2019) to confirm your necessary style of gate. Some will require automated gates that do not allow machinery to operate whilst open, while others are manually operated gates that can be simply latched shut. Depending on space, or location suitability, choices range from both single and double high sliding gates or swing gates. Our TSS De-Fence Gates can be ‘made to order’ on a request basis and will be individually configured to the specifications of our customer’s worksite application.

Industrial mesh panels for interior design and art:

Although our range of modular mesh machine guard panels has been designed with the purpose of keeping workers and machinery protected in the workplace, we have discovered that they are also quite at home in the art gallery and architectural/interior design worlds. Our TSS consultants often get asked if the mesh panels can be used for alternative applications and the answer is ABSOLUTELY! They have been hung both on walls and ceilings to create feature pieces, used to display art and lighting in both galleries and businesses, and as part of a stunning decorative ‘flower wall’ presentation.

The only limit is your imagination!

Australian Standards for Guarding of Machinery (AS/NZS 4024.1:2019 Series):

As stated by Sai Global, the Australian Standard (AS 4024.1-2019), for Safety of machinery series contains 26 Parts that are European (EN) and Internationally based (ISO) safety and design Standards with some modifications to meet Australia’s tough safety practices and regulations.

The series provides designers, manufacturers, suppliers, employers, and users of machinery with guidelines to help reduce the risks of working with, or near, machinery.