blog

Spoilers ahead: We shouldn't have to do this for a movie released in 1991, but don't say you weren't warned.

As far as automated killing machines go, you could find worse than Skynet. They have an army of unfeeling androids, time travel capabilities, and just whatever it is that the T-1000 is made of. If you're like most reasonable people, you'll probably be pretending that James Cameron's Terminator franchise ended with the second installment.

While this film is unquestionably the greatest of all time (citation needed), we can't help but wonder if that final climactic scene could have gone differently if the factory in question had some semblance of health and safety measures. Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor was the hero of the day, but the overwhelming abundance of safety hazards surely played a role in the defeat of Skynet.

Flooring

There was certainly no shortage of metal grating covering the ample staircases and catwalks of the steel mill in the film. We can't fault the mill there, the flooring was probably strong enough to handle most human equivalent loads. Did the designers of the factory skimp on materials, opting for something that looked strong but wasn't really? Or was it a matter of poor installation?

Either way, we can promise you that it is not supposed to bend and buckle at the slightest point of stress. Locker Group's range of industrial flooring solutions would hold up against this kind of pressure. In fact, we guarantee there is not an artificially intelligent death-bot on Earth that could inflict that kind of damage on our products.

"I need to inspect your clothes, your boots, and your motorcycle."

Railing

This may come as a surprise to the T-800's and T-1000's of the world, but good safety railing doesn't come loose when you pull or push on it. In fact, safety railing is generally designed to do the opposite. How do we know? Well, we've been manufacturing products like this for decades.

General housekeeping

Safety in manufacturing isn't just about "doing your best" but whoever is in charge of the steel mill in Terminator 2 isn't really even trying. To start with, there are too many angles in this scene that show off seemingly random bits of equipment emitting sparks. If your factory has something dangling from the ceiling spitting sparks everywhere, you should probably sort that out.

Further, if you have an enormous churning gear that an Arnold Schwarzenegger can merrily ride on – put a safety barrier or even a wire mesh enclosure around it. Finally, Locker Group would like to advise against an unrailed platform that hangs over a pool of molten steel like a diving board. This might be the very definition of workplace hazard, and recent studies have found that having employees who are consistently alive is the first step towards creating a safe and effective working environment.

No one wants a Terminator in their factory, but poor materials might be just as dangerous. If the steel mill in question was geared more towards health and safety, John Connor might have got to keep his socially awkward mechanical friend. For more information on how our perforated metal products can contribute towards health and safety, or if you want to talk about robots for a while, contact Locker Group today.

Industry 4.0 is coming. The next logical step in the evolution of manufacturing from a human labour-based industry to one that's technologically automated, the changes ahead will reshape the very factory space itself. Industry 4.0 will also change the sector's job structure from a significant proportion of low-skilled blue collar labourers to highly skilled interpersonal workers.

Indeed, Mr Jeff Connolly, Chair of the Prime Minister's Industry 4.0 Taskforce, said in a speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia 'it [Industry 4.0] need not be seen as a threat to manufacturing jobs – even though the jobs will definitely evolve. Indeed, Australia should see the fourth industrial revolution as an opportunity.'

Although Industry 4.0 will undoubtedly have a huge affect on industry, there will always remain a need for quality industrial products that guarantee the efficient operation of your production line and ensures your workers can operate in the work space safely. Locker Group has more than 60 years of experience in developing quality industrial products and these reliable industrial products will be much-needed in the changes to come.

Improving efficiency

With Industry 4.0, basic jobs previously reserved for manual labour will be completed by machines and human managers working together. This will ensure processes are completed quicker and more effectively, while still retaining adequate quality control. Efficiency in production will also be achieved by working with effective industrial products that will make the manufacturing process more streamlined.

Locker's industrial range, including perforated metal, Expanded wire mesh and woven wire fabric are durable and tough, designed to stand up to the rigours of rapid production. While automation will change the infrastructure of production, Locker Group 's range is guaranteed to be up to the challenge.

Guaranteeing safety

Industry 4.0's evolutionary changes will remove the need for human involvement in the more dangerous mechanical processes. However, maintaining and repairing malfunctioning equipment will remain a very human role, while access to all areas of the manufacturing space will still be required. Locker Group have a range of safety products, like Safe T Perf, designed to ensure that equipment operators and managers are able to safely navigate the workspace.

Even after automating basic manufacturing roles, durable industrial materials will still be essential.

Grating products like Gridwalk and Gripspan are steel flooring options designed to ensure maximum grip for pedestrian access and prevent dangerous conditions underfoot. We also have a range of walkway kits, prefabricated and ready for installation, that enable workers to navigate heights safely. Ensuring safe human management is vital to making the operation of automated machinery more effective.

Industry 4.0 will bring a lot of changes to bear on the workings of Australian manufacturing – but what will not change is the need for quality products that bring optimal production quality and guarantee safety for workers. Locker Group's range of products are industry-noted, so go on and contact us today – prepare for the future!