Introducing the Shaft Lockout – Preventing Workplace Injuries and Revolutionizing Maintenance

United States, 25th Oct 2023, King NewsWire – SHAFT LOCKOUT, a visionary leader in industrial safety tools, proudly introduces the Shaft Lockout, a game-changing tool designed to enhance safety and productivity for mechanics and service professionals working with belt-driven equipment. With the Shaft Lockout, workers gain a powerful safety measure that mitigates the risk of finger-crushing accidents caused by sudden belt-driven fan rotations.

The Shaft Lockout securely mounts upon a rotating shaft, effectively preventing unintended spinning. Its innovative design features a dual-gap hose-clamp system, hinge plates, and tension screws, all designed to eliminate the common-yet-hazardous issue of unintentional shaft rotation during maintenance.

Key Features/Benefits of the Shaft Lockout:

– Easily applies to motor/rotor shafts of belt-driven equipment.

– Prevents unintentional rotation of shafts and windmill rotation of fans.

– Accommodates common unintentional rotations even when the motor is turned off.

– Eliminates workplace accidents and injuries associated with unintentional rotations.

– Enables faster and safer completion of common maintenance tasks.

– Addresses a critical need for rotation prevention in various industries.

– Removable, unlike permanent mounted shaft locking devices, and applicable to many types of equipment.

“The Shaft Lockout fills a notable gap in the industry, offering a versatile and efficient solution to prevent dangerous shaft rotations,” said Keith Byard, product owner and a veteran tradesman with over two decades of experience.

February 2017- Amputation Risk Associated with Moving HVAC Parts

Objective:

This document, classified as an Operating Experience Level 3 (OE-3), addresses a safety concern relevant to maintenance activities involving equipment incorporating fans, including air handlers, exhaust fans, and various heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems within Department of Energy (DOE) facilities.

Background:

In 2016, two significant incidents were reported to the Occurrence Reporting and Processing System (ORPS) that involved personnel injuries during HVAC equipment maintenance. Similar incidents had been documented in previous years.

1. On October 14, 2016, a technician at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) sustained injuries while conducting preventive maintenance checks on a return air fan. The fan continued to rotate due to airflow after being de-energized (commonly known as “wind milling”). In an attempt to stop the fan’s rotation, the technician placed his gloved hand on the fan pulley, resulting in his glove getting caught between the belt and the pulley. This incident led to the amputation of the technician’s left middle finger above the first knuckle. The decision to use his hand instead of an anti-rotation device contributed to the injury.

2. On June 15, 2016, a worker at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) suffered an injury to his right ring finger while working on an air handler. The worker was conducting preventive maintenance with a simple lockout/tagout (LO/TO) procedure that only isolated the electrical energy for the fan, neglecting the potential hazard of unintended fan or belt movement due to air flow or other energy sources. When the fan unexpectedly started to rotate, the worker placed his right hand on the belt, with his fingers wrapped around it. This action resulted in his hand being pulled into the pulley. The worker managed to reverse the belt manually with his left hand, but the injury included severe trauma and a broken bone in his right ring finger.

3. On September 18, 2012, an incident occurred at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), where a worker’s gloved right hand was trapped in a pinch point between the fan belt and the fan pulley of a large roof-mounted exhaust fan. Following the securement of electrical power and locking the local disconnect switch, a subcontractor removed the guard to inspect the fan belt and pulleys as part of a preventive maintenance task. The worker reported that the belt was barely in motion when he placed his hand on the twin fan belt, resulting in his hand being drawn into the pinch point. This incident caused a hand fracture, requiring surgical intervention.

4. On November 2, 2010, an electrician sustained finger injuries while preparing to replace an electric motor on an air-handling unit. After performing the necessary electrical lockout and removing the fan guard, the electricians noticed a concern related to the moving parts of the equipment.

These incidents underscore the importance of proper safety procedures when working with HVAC equipment containing moving parts.

Indiegogo Campaign Announcement

SHAFT LOCKOUT is excited to announce its upcoming Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, set to launch on 25 Sept, 2023. This campaign aims to gather support from individuals who recognize the importance of workplace safety and efficiency. By contributing to the campaign, backers will not only receive exclusive perks but also play a crucial role in making the workplace safer for mechanics and servicemen.

To learn more about the Shaft Lockout and receive campaign updates, visit www.shaftlockout.com or follow us on social media.

Please help us spread the word about our upcoming Indiegogo campaign to support workplace safety and efficiency

About SHAFT LOCKOUT:

SHAFT LOCKOUT is dedicated to enhancing workplace safety by providing innovative solutions for mechanics and service professionals. With a commitment to preventing accidents and injuries, SHAFT LOCKOUT’s flagship product, the Shaft Lockout, sets a new standard in belt-driven equipment maintenance safety.

Media Contact

Organization: SHAFT LOCKOUT

Contact Person: Keith Byard

Website: https://www.shaftlockout.com

Email: [email protected]

Contact Number: +302-607-5776

Country: United States

Release Id: 2510237319

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