MTS 318 Load Unit - Manual (Page 40)

318 Load Unit 40 Safety
Do not disturb sensors
Do not bump, wiggle, adjust, disconnect, or otherwise disturb a sensor (such as
an accelerometer or extensometer) or its connecting cable when hydraulic
pressure is applied.
Ensure secure cables
Do not change any cable connections when electrical power or hydraulic pressure
is applied. If you attempt to change a cable connection while the system is in
operation, an open control loop condition can result. An open control loop
condition can cause a rapid, unexpected system response which can result in
severe personal injury, death, or damage to equipment. Also, ensure that all
cables are connected after you make any changes in the system configuration.
Stay alert
Avoid long periods of work without adequate rest. In addition, avoid long periods
of repetitious, unvarying, or monotonous work because these conditions can
contribute to accidents and hazardous situations. If you are too familiar with the
work environment, it is easy to overlook potential hazards that exist in that
environment.
Contain small leaks
Do not use your fingers or hands to stop small leaks in hydraulic or pneumatic
hoses. Substantial pressures can build up, especially if the hole is small. These
high pressures can cause the oil or gas to penetrate your skin, causing painful and
dangerously infected wounds. Turn off the hydraulic supply and allow the
hydraulic pressure to dissipate before you remove and replace the hose or any
pressurized component.
Stay clear of moving
equipment/avoid crush
points
Stay clear of mechanical linkages, connecting cables, and hoses that move
because you can get pinched, crushed, tangled, or dragged along with the
equipment. High forces generated by the system can pinch, cut, or crush anything
in the path of the equipment and cause serious injury. Stay clear of any potential
crush points. Most test systems can produce sudden, high-force motion. Never
assume that your reactions are fast enough to allow you to escape injury when a
system fails.
Know the causes of
unexpected actuator
motions
The high force and velocity capabilities of MTS actuators can be destructive and
dangerous (especially if actuator motion is unexpected). The most likely causes
of unexpected actuator response are operator error and equipment failure due to
damage or abuse (such as broken, cut, or crushed cables and hoses; shorted wires;
overstressed feedback devices; and damaged components within the servocontrol
loop). Eliminate any condition that could cause unexpected actuator motion.
Do not use RF
transmitters
Keep radio frequency (RF) transmitters away from the workstation computers,
remote terminals, and electronics consoles. Intense RF fields can cause erratic
operation of the more sensitive circuits in the system.