Safety

ESI’s safety experts are trained and experienced in a wide range of safety related issues. The capabilities of our safety division encompass accident prevention and forensic assignments for both products and environments, including analysis of the man/machine interface and system safety analyses to reduce and control hazards and demonstrate compliance with federal, state, local, and voluntary codes and standards. We also conduct evaluations of safety signs, as well as safety information on products and product literature. Our staff has

extensive experience in consumer, residential, municipal, industrial, construction and on/off shore safety requirements. We are involved in numerous safety standards development committees and take active leadership roles in these areas. Many have direct experience managing product and personnel safety programs in industry.

The Safety Group members come from a variety of disciplines and industry experiences, such as electrical, chemical, environmental, biomechanical, fire and explosion, automotive,

aviation, process industry, product design, manufacturing, etc. Combined with educational experience, and certifications, we have the technical and hands-on experience to address the key safety areas of any incident situation as it relates to product or system performance and how humans interact with them. In turn, this allows us to be a better partner in discussing the general safety principles and how they apply to specific product, process, or location. We regularly address the interaction and role of designing for minimum risk, safeguarding, and warnings and instructions

Areas of Specialization

Accident Investigation/Reconstruction

Accident Prevention Analyses

Design Reviews

Falls From Height & Fall Protection

Field Safety

Human Factors

Ergonomics

Instructions & Warnings

Job Safety Analysis

Lock Out / Tag Out

Machine Guarding

Product Hazard Analyses & Testing

Risk Analysis

Safety Regulation Compliance

Safety Signs & Labels

Slip, Trip & Fall

Safety Standards & Audits

Representative Projects

Fall Protection

ESI was retained to investigate a fall from a significant height. One of the issues was the performance of the fall protection system in use at the time of the accident. ESI evaluated the components and assessed whether or not they

complied with safety standards, as well as reviewed the training and actions of the individuals involved.

Power Tool ESI was asked to evaluate the effectiveness of a guard on a commercially available electric table saw involved in an accident. ESI’s product safety and human factors specialists reconstructed the accident and performed specialized testing and engineering analysis of the existing guard and proposed alternatives.

Design Review

ESI was retained by a large furniture manufacturer to review the ease of user assembly of a series of their products, as well as the potential for misassembly that could be hazardous. ESI evaluated the human interaction with the product pieces, as well as reviewed the instructions and associated warnings for possible misunderstandings and the ability to create unsafe assemblies.

Product Hazard Analysis ESI was retained to perform a series of product hazard analyses for a anufacturer of outdoor consumer products. Using software specifically designed for this type of evaluation, ESI performed a comprehensive review of potential hazards and the product failure modes. Laboratory testing was also

conducted to further support and refine the analysis.

Outdoor Power Equipment ESI investigated an accident where an individual was injured while working with an industrial tree chipper. ESI evaluated the machine with respect to safety design features, the warnings and instructions provided on the machine and in the product manual, and the training received by the injured party. ESI reported its findings and opinions through courtroom testimony.

Industrial Equipment ESI was retained to evaluate the “lock out – tag out” procedures on a large piece of industrial equipment and determine whether the machine safeguarding present in normal operation

offered equivalent alternative protection for minor servicing operations.

Compliance with safety standards and federal OSHA regulations was a critical issue in the project