Rockford Systems Ramps Up PROTECTOR™ Series Shields to Capture Growth Opportunities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – ROCKFORD, IL, JUNE 21, 2021 — Rockford Systems, LLC, is accelerating investment in its PROTECTOR™ Series Shields, the world’s most innovative line of machine safeguarding shields, resulting in the introduction of new models for smaller floor and benchtop drill presses and milling machines.

Launched in 2020, Rockford Systems PROTECTOR Series Shields have proven to deliver superior safety to machine operators from sharp flying chips, disengaged workpieces, swarf, lubricants, coolants, and loose drill bits – all while eliminating the cost and complexity of shield configuration with a modular design featuring over 60,000 combinations to ensure a highly precise, customized fit. Safeguarding machinery with PROTECTOR shields can also prevent loose clothing or long hair from being entangled in the drill bit.

“Last year, citations due to noncompliance of the 1910.212 Machine Guarding standard ranked among OSHA’s top 10 most cited violations,” said Matt Brenner, Vice President and General Manager – Rockford Systems Machine Safeguarding. With experts anticipating Machine Guarding to be a top-cited violation again in 2021, we’ve added two new shield models for smaller drill presses and mills, along with new octagonal shields without handles to meet space-restricted clearance requirements.

The first new PROTECTOR shield is a two-sided model that measures 6” x 6” x 6” — ideal for bench-mounted machinery. The second is a three-sided shield that measures 16” x 8” x 5”. Both models can be upgraded with LED lighting, a feature much appreciated by operators that require bright, non-reflective illumination of the work area during operation. White LEDs light up when the shield is in its “run” position and will change to red while in the “stop” position. Additionally, each shield can be equipped with a safety interlock switch, preventing accidental machine start-up when the shield is not closed, and thereby eliminating the possibility of operator bypassing at the point of operation.

Compatible with most commercially-available drill presses and mills, PROTECTOR shields are constructed of 14-gauge powder-coated steel and 3/16″ polycarbonate providing maximum resistance against danger, while improving worker productivity. The one year guarantee provides peace of mind from a trusted brand.

Rockford Systems is also now offering aftermarket replacement polycarbonate shields for its installed base of PROTECTOR shields. It is recommended that shields be replaced when visibility has been reduced by being struck repeatedly by debris.

In absence of proper safeguarding, a drill press can prove to be a dangerous piece of equipment. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that over 2,500 people are treated at hospitals annually for injuries caused by drill presses. Most injuries involved lacerations and punctures to fingers and hands. Other injuries included corneal abrasions, foreign bodies in the eye, and hand and finger contusions. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1) makes it the employer’s responsibility to provide safeguarding on machinery and provide periodic training to prevent the occurrence of accidents.

To contact Rockford Systems, visit www.rockfordsystems.com or call 1-800-922-7533.

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ABOUT ROCKFORD SYSTEMS LLC
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Headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, Rockford Systems LLC delivers industrial plant safety solutions for organizations using metalworking, automation, material handling or thermal processing in their operations. Since 1971, Rockford Systems has specialized in the design and installation of over 25,000 safeguarding solutions for industrial fabrication equipment and manufacturing systems that exceed applicable safety regulations and standards.

Rockford Systems offers trusted industrial turnkey safeguarding solutions including scalable assessments, audits and inspections, training and education, consulting and policy development, and over 10,000 safeguarding products. Rockford Systems also provides turnkey combustion safety solutions including assessments and inspections, as well as standardized and customized valve safety trains. These extensive risk reduction solutions enable organizations to dramatically improve compliance and worker safety while maintaining productivity.