PolycarbonateMachine Guards | Custom Safety Solutions
Why use polycarbonate guards?
Polycarbonate guards are typically used in industries where high levels of hygiene are required, such as the food and pharmaceutical industries. Our polycarbonate guards meet all necessary requirements relating to machine safety and food health and safety.
In the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries, polycarbonate guards withstand regular wash-downs. Furthermore, polycarbonate has good impact resistance, which can be important for viewing windows within machine enclosures, for example. Polycarbonate also tolerates coolants and other process fluids.
Polycarbonate is often specified for perimeter guarding when excellent process visibility is required.
Customized Safety Solutions for Your Machinery
Aluminium and polycarbonate is a popular combination for the pharmaceutical industry, whereas wet environments, such as food, beverage and papermaking, typically use a combination of stainless steel and polycarbonate. Painted or powder-coated mild steel is more likely to be used for the framework when polycarbonate guards are destined for perimeter guarding, machine tool enclosures and similar applications.
Design considerations for
polycarbonate guards
- Dirt traps must be avoided if guards are for use in hygienic environments
- Correct specification of fasteners for impact resistance
- Correct thickness of polycarbonate
- Fume or heat extraction may be required for guards that fully enclose machines
- When to specify a more scratch-resistant material than polycarbonate (eg safety glass for machine tool windows)
- Earthing of guards may be necessary to avoid a hazardous build-up of static electricity
Standards and
compliance
For new machines or pre-owned machines that need to be CE marked before they can be used, polycarbonate guards aid compliance with the Machinery Directive and the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations. For existing machinery, polycarbonate guards can help employers meet their legal obligations under PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations).