Review our comprehensive FAQs section to address common questions & concerns regarding machine safety and MPSA services. 


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About MPSA

What does MPSA stand for?

MPSA stands for Machine & Process Safety Assessment group. Our core mission is assisting companies to provide safe and productive work environments — and getting mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters home safely at the end of each day.

What industries have used MPSA?

We have worked in a wide variety of industries including automotive, metal fabrication, aerospace, chemical, pharmaceutical, medical devices, food, beverage, distribution, and logistics. If your facility has machinery that needs safeguarding, we're here to help.

Can MPSA sell safety components for my company to install ourselves?

Yes. We offer a full range of safety components from a variety of manufacturers. But it is important to make sure your staff understands how to select and install these components in a safe and compliant manner. If you need any assistance selecting or installing your components, please contact us.

Does MPSA perform machine safety risk assessments?

We perform safety risk assessments through our affiliation with a leading risk assessment consultant, Schmersal. We also use a software that can provide an ANSI, ISO or RIA compliant methodology.

What's the difference between a Safety Survey and Risk Assessment? How do I know which one I need?

Both the Safety Survey and Risk Assessment identify hazards in your machinery and processes.

The Safety Survey is performed by MPSA, is shorter (takes approximately one hour per machine), and can determine if the investment in a full Risk Assessment is warranted. If a Safety Survey is completed and shows a full Risk Assessment is not warranted, you would save thousands of dollars.

In some cases, a more thorough analysis is warranted and we may recommend a full Risk Assessment. This takes six to eight hours per machine and is completed through our affiliation with a leading Risk Assessment consultant, Schmersal.

If you’re unsure of which assessment you require, don’t worry – when you request a hazard assessment through MPSA, we will provide a consultation to understand your machinery and application. Together we will determine the appropriate approach.

Can MPSA use a safety risk assessment completed by another party?

This depends based on the level of detail contained in the risk assessment and specifically the analysis of any safety controls systems. If gaps are noted in the risk assessment, it may be our recommendation to conduct another risk assessment.

After getting MPSA's Recommendation Report, do we have to fix everything on the list?

No, although applicable safety standards may legally require you to perform the listed items. MPSA does not require you to complete any items listed on our Recommendation Report, but we will recommend mitigating risks that could result in life-changing or fatal injuries. To help prioritize items that should receive immediate attention, we provide a survey score next to each of our recommendations listed in the report.

Does MPSA do stop time measurement?

Yes. To calculate the safety distance of presence-sensing devices from hazardous point of operation, we use a computer-based analyzer to accurately measure machine stop times and distances. Being aware of these parameters gives takes any “guesswork” out of applying important safety devices to meet applicable safety standards.

Can MPSA perform installation after hours or on weekends?

Yes. Our Field Installation Team is accustomed to working flexible hours to meet your production needs.

Where is MPSA located?

MPSA is a division of Airline Hydraulics, headquartered in Bensalem, PA (just north of Philadelphia, PA).

What locations does MPSA cover?

MPSA can provide turnkey machine guarding solutions anywhere throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. We also have technical associates based in Belgium that can serve customers in Europe.

Can MPSA handle large companies with multiple facilities?

Yes. MPSA excels in the management of large-scale projects, often involving multiple production lines in a number of different facilities. 

Can MPSA work with legacy equipment?

Yes. Airline’s engineering team can reverse-engineer legacy equipment in cases where the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) documentation, drawings, or schematics are lost or simply don’t exist.

Does MPSA make guards for machine shop equipment?

Yes. We offer a variety of prefabricated guards for typical workshop equipment, both old and new. These guards can be modified to fit your equipment, or we can provide a custom-fabricated guard.

What documentation is provided with MPSA's safety solutions?

We offer detailed engineering packages broken into two phases: Up Front Engineering and Final Engineering. They typically include a project outline; bill of materials; CAD drawings, including plan views and elevation views; safety system electrical findings; and controls scope statements. Learn more.

How much does MPSA’s services cost?

Costs vary depending on the scale of the individual project, but MPSA provides a total cost estimate early on in our process to give stakeholders the opportunity to acquire approvals.

To provide this estimate, we first conduct a hazard assessment (which can be a safety survey, or if needed, a full risk assessment). We then provide a Recommendation Report, which includes descriptions of the proposed solutions, estimated cost of mechanical engineering, guarding, fabrication, electrical engineering, materials, and labor cost. We also include the survey score, which helps prioritize the projects with the most severe hazards.

To get your quote, please request a hazard assessment.

What happens if I delay the project to seek funding approvals from my management?

It’s no problem. Our process is specifically designed to accommodate this common need.

Does MPSA provide technical training seminars?

Yes. We offer standardized and customized safety training sessions through our affiliation with Schmersal, a global leader in safety controls and automation controls. We also train operators and stakeholders in the operation and maintenance of our installed safety solutions.

About Machine Safety

I have a new machine. Doesn't it come properly guarded?

No. It is always important to get a safety assessment whenever you acquire a new machine.

End users are responsible for machine safety and compliance, not the machine’s manufacturer (who are under no obligation to meet safety standards on the products they sell). Most safety standards require a safety assessment in order for a machine to be considered compliant, regardless of its age. 

If you require a risk assessment for new or legacy machinery, simply request a hazard assessment from MPSA.

How do I verify if my safety controls & wiring are compliant?

This can be complicated if you don’t have experience with the design and verification of control reliable circuitry. We have several highly experienced safety control engineers on our staff. We encourage you to contact us so we can provide feedback based on your specific machinery and application.

Which safety standards should I adhere to?

This varies per machine and application. We suggest you review our list of safety standards and regulations, and if you need additional assistance, contact us. We can help pinpoint which standards are relevant to your machinery and processes and bring you into compliance with those standards.

Will guarding make my machine more difficult to use?

This depends on the safety provider. With MPSA, we tailor our safety solutions to be easily maintained and operated. We will address any questions and concerns during the design process to ensure the safety devices do not inhibit the machine’s operation. After the solution is installed and validated, we will also provide training on its proper operation and maintenance.

No one has been injured in our facility. Do we still need a safety assessment?

Yes. A hazard assessment is not only an important step in ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, but it is often a legal requirement. And just because no one has been injured yet, doesn’t mean there aren’t hidden hazards within your machinery and processes. The goal is to avoid a life-changing or fatal injury before it happens – not after.

Will my operations be disrupted during my safety assessment or remediation services?

This depends on the level of flexibility, organization and project management provided by the safety provider.

MPSA performs hazard assessments and upgrades with little to no disruption to your operations. Each job has a project manager who finalizes the schedule of the safety assessments, installation, integration, and validation plan well in advance of the start of activities. These assessments and upgrades are scheduled around your production schedule and can be performed during scheduled shutdowns, off-hours, weekends, or any other time that best suits your schedule.

Glossary of Safety Terms

Awareness Device

A noticeable (distinctive by sound or intensity) audible or visual signal to warn of an approaching or present hazard.

Complementary Equipment

Devices or methods used to ensure or augment the proper operation of safeguarding. Examples are safety blocks, chain locks, locking pins, work holding equipment, stopping performance monitors.

Compliance

The practice of adhering strictly to published safety standards.

Emergency Stop Devices

Devices that remove all power the to entire machine and sustain it until a full reset.

Enclosure

Safeguarding by fixed physical barriers mounted on or around a machine to prevent access to the moving parts.

Guard

A barrier designed for hazard control at the point of operation. Construction material must be of sufficient strength to protect from the hazards. Consider the risk of reaching over, around, or through the guard to access the hazard.

Location

Safeguarding by location results when a hazard is physically inaccessible under normal operating conditions or permitted only if the other precautionary restrictions can be met.

Point of Operation

The area on a machine where material is positioned for processing or where work is actually being performed on the material.

Power of Transmission

Includes all mechanical parts such as gears, cams, shafts, pulley, belts, clutches, brakes and rods that transmit energy and motion from a source of power to equipment or machine.

Safeguarding

Any means of preventing or controlling personnel from coming in contact with the moving parts of machinery or equipment that would potentially cause physical harm.

Safeguarding Device

Detects or prevents inadvertent access to a hazard. Examples include movable barrier devices, pull-back and restraint devices, presence-sensing safeguarding devices, two-hand operating trip and control devices, safety mats or edges, and probe detection devices.

Turnkey

To be built, supplied, and installed complete and ready to operate.

Provide a compliant and safe working environment.

Take the first step. Ask MPSA to identify your machine safety and compliance issues. We can do the rest. 

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