If you operate machinery in your facility, you know the importance of ensuring the safety of your workers. One way to do this is by addressing the issue of motivation to defeat, which refers to the potential for workers to intentionally bypass or disable safety equipment in order to perform a task more quickly or easily. But what is motivation to defeat and how is it addressed in machinery safety standards?
Let’s explore!
What is Motivation to Defeat?
Motivation to defeat is the potential for workers to intentionally bypass or disable safety equipment in order to perform a task more quickly or easily. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including time pressures, inadequate training, and a lack of understanding of the importance of safety measures. Motivation to defeat can lead to accidents and injuries, as well as damage to the machinery or process control system.
Relevant ISO and B11 Standards
The ISO and B11 standards are two of the most widely recognized machinery safety standards that address motivation to defeat. The ISO standard, ISO 14119, Safety of machinery – Interlocking devices associated with guards – Principles for design and selection, specifies the minimum requirements for interlocking devices that are used to prevent unintended movements or actions of machinery. The B11 standard, B11.19, Safety of Machinery – Human Body Access to Machinery – Principles for Design, provides guidelines for the design of machinery to prevent injuries caused by unexpected start-ups or restarts of the machinery.
Preventing Motivation to Defeat
There are several ways to prevent motivation to defeat in machinery applications, including the use of safety training, effective communication, and the design of safety equipment. Safety training can help workers understand the importance of safety measures and the consequences of bypassing or disabling safety equipment. Effective communication can help to identify and address the root causes of motivation to defeat. And the design of safety equipment can help to ensure that it is easy to use and understand, reducing the temptation to bypass or disable it.
Talk to an Expert
Fortress Safety has experts who can help you ensure the safety of your workers in machinery applications. Contact us for more information.
All Interlocks
Safety interlocks providing safety to personnel entering safeguarded spaces
