Stop-Time Measurement Service

Underscoring its total commitment to worker safety, Rockford Systems LLC announced that a comprehensive stop-time measurement (STM) service conducted by its trained technicians is available to customers using metal-fabricating, metalcutting and turning machines. STM will be a standard service offered by Rockford Systems alongside machine risk assessment, onsite machine safety surveys and equipment compliance proposals.

"Periodic safety distance validation, accomplished through stop-time measurements, ensures that our customers' machines are compliant with OSHA and ANSI standards and, most importantly, are providing the protection their employees on the shop floor deserve," said Joe Nitiss, CEO of Rockford Systems. "By providing these services, we've completely removed the guesswork out of installing safety devices on mechanical and hydraulic presses, press brakes and other types of machines."

Rockford uses STM to determine the stopping ability of customers' industrial machinery. Once captured, the stop-time data is applied to formulas created by either OSHA or ANSI to calculate the minimum safety distance required to install safety devices. Rockford offers this service for newly installed safety devices as well as for the periodic validation of existing safety devices. Stop-time measurements are not only required for compliance with federal and state labor laws, but also may be necessary to abate deficiencies discovered during insurance company loss-control and corporate safety inspections.

Lack of machine guarding or improperly installed safeguarding equipment was one of the top 10 most cited OSHA violations in 2015, resulting in millions of dollars in fines levied against businesses. Injuries, as a result of improperly safeguarded machines, also lead to higher insurance costs, lawsuits and hospital expenses. Although safety equipment and proper machine controls are required by OSHA, many manufacturers sell machinery without either, leaving the business with the responsibility of safeguarding the machine.