Hazardous Area (HA)

Hazardous Area (HA)

It is an electronic safety system that may reduce risks and accident rates. The HA automatically stops a machine from working when personnel with a safety tag is near the area indicated as “danger zone” or when a person falls onto a conveyor belt. This system indicates the entry of a person and will stop all activities, therefore avoiding accidents or damages.

• Quality of the system prevents false alarms from being generated, due to the regular adjustment of the antennas
• High durability and robustness, not affected by the vibration of the motors, they are not affected by interference between antennas nor by the metal structures of the machines
• Stands out for its ease of installation, and for the possibility of acquiring it as “turnkey project”

The System

The HA Solution automatically prevents a computer, such as a crusher, when a person with the corresponding tag enters the area marked as a “danger zone” or when a individual falls inside a conveyor belt, likely as a result of being knocked off, fainting or similar.

This solution creates a secure protocol that specifies that all action must stop upon entry of a individual thus preventing injuries or damages.

The Function

The device is responsible for detecting when an operator-carried safety tag reaches the area configured as a “danger zone.” In that case the computer mounted there and specially designed under this solution is stopped immediately. The contact between the key ring of the staff and the mounted antenna-whether it is in a crusher, compactor or some other similar machine-is automatically created without the need for permanent human control. It offers greater protection in areas which are typically particularly vulnerable to workplace injuries.

The device also records the date and time the computer stopped, as well as the number of tags found in the danger zone, in order to enforce protection measures in this respect and in the future to prevent similar situations. Furthermore, this approach provides the possibility to check that the device is operational as an essential condition for secure working within the perimeter of the unit.

The Application

The HA device is designed primarily for use in areas containing pits, presses, crushers or compactors, among other extremely dangerous devices. It is also sometimes used in areas surrounding broad conveyor belts.

The Components

The HA system consists of the units:

• PERSONAL TAG: It is the tool which is responsible for shielding users, stopping the computer when the RFID activator detects it.
• DRIVER INHIBITOR: This part cancels the driver’s detection while inside the vehicle, preventing unwanted notifications or errors in reading the alerts.
• TEST-TAG: integrated tool that ensures the system is working correctly
• RFID ACTIVATOR: A component located in the machine that creates a protection zone around it using low frequency signals.
• TAG VERIFICATION ANTENNA: designed to test and document the system’s proper functioning
• CONTROL PANEL: It is a control box in which the system status and the faults/alarms that occur during the workday are reported and recorded.