From salespeople to fitters to operators, anybody working with or around hydraulics should be aware of the potential safety concerns involved, and what can be done to better manage the risks. Understanding the normal operating behaviour of these systems means workers are better able to identify and troubleshoot issues more quickly.
This is where the Gates Safe Hydraulics program comes in. For nearly two decades, the program has been leading the way in teaching robust safety protocols, drawing on comprehensive training and resources to provide an essential foundation for anybody working with hydraulic systems.
What is Gates Safe Hydraulics?
• Developed in 1995 by Gates’ Industrial Replacement in response to a growing societal emphasis on workplace safety.
• One of the first programs globally to highlight safety critical training associated with fluid power products.
• Aligned with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and MSHA’s (Mine Safety and Health Administration) requirements for safety maintenance meetings.
• Designed as a “foot in the door” to spread Gates’ hydraulic expertise throughout the industry.
• The program is not a sales pitch for Gates products but covers topics everyone working with hydraulic assemblies should be familiar with, including hose and coupling identification, assembly fabrication, and routing and installation.
Operating pressures of hydraulic systems can reach up to 10,000psi.
Under this pressure, hydraulic fluid can create a range of hazards, including:
• Pinhole – Fluid under pressure can be almost invisible escaping from a pinhole, but can pierce the skin and cause serious injury.
• Leak – Leaking hydraulic fluid is not just unsightly, it can lead to slippery floors, fire risk, and environmental contamination.
• Burst – Whether a result of damage or misuse, a ruptured hose can cause serious burns, cuts, or even potentially fatal oil injection.
• Coupling blowoff – An improperly manufactured or installed assembly can lead to a coupling blowing off and hitting a worker.
• Whipping hose – If a hose end or fitting comes apart under pressure, the loose hose can whip around with damaging force.
The Gates Safe Hydraulics program has been positioned to provide practical safety training for anybody working with or around hydraulics in their day-to-day. This includes:
• Salespeople – Anybody selling hydraulics products is ultimately the one responsible for deciding which solutions are right for a customer’s application. This makes a comprehensive understanding of safety paramount.
• Fabricators – Those responsible for manufacturing a hose assembly, while never working directly with a hydraulic system, need to be able to select the appropriate hoses and fittings, and know how to select and use the right crimper.
• Fitters – Likewise, those tasked with maintenance, such as replacement of hoses, must be aware of potential hazards such as accumulated pressure in a hydraulic system.
• Operators – Equipment operators should have a good sense of a hydraulic system’s normal operation. This enables them to quickly identify potential problems if something doesn’t look, sound, or smell right during morning checks.
• Reach out to the Motion team to indicate an interest in the program.
• Participate in the Gates hydraulic products workshop, complete the Gates hydraulic products exam with a score of 85% or higher.
• Co-facilitate a safe hydraulics training session for co-workers or clients / prospective clients with a certified Gates safe hydraulics trainer.
• Complete the safe hydraulics exam with a minimum score of 97%.
For more information, you can reach out to your local certified trainer:
Gates Certified trainers
Arshad Ashroff – Product Manager
Victor Cheng – Product Application Specialist
Rob Mold – Business Development Manager, WA
Wayne Adams – Business Development Manager, VIC/TAS/SA
Chris MacGregor – Business Development Manager, NSW
Martin Shaw – Business Development Manager, QLD
Motion certified trainers
Ian Dodd – National Support Manager
Ollie Matheson – Sales Manager, 1800 Hose Van