CASWA AccessPack access control system for industrial equipment

The AccessPack access control system is designed by CASWA to reduce OHS and business risk associated with the use of industrial equipment.

The system uses smart-card technology to prevent unauthorised operators, and machines will work only when the user has a valid RFID card. The RFID card is programmed with ‘tokens’ for each respective piece/type of equipment that a particular operator can use, based on the person’s inductions/training/certifications and associated expiry dates. As soon as the logged-in user finishes using the equipment, the user is automatically logged out to prevent usage by unauthorised personnel.

Unlike traditional access control hardware that relies on communication between the access control point and a central management computer running a database of permissions, AccessPack is a stand-alone system with all the information required to grant/deny access being contained on the user’s RFID card.

Suitable for a range of high-risk or critical equipment such as cranes, production-critical machines, hydraulic power packs, lathes, presses, CNC plant and breakout machines, the system can also be used on vehicles such as forklifts, diggers and elevated lifting platforms. There is also no limitation to the number of units or different equipment types on a site. Installations can be a single machine on one site, a type of machine across multiple sites, or a total enterprise solution for all types of critical or hazardous equipment.

The system also records who uses the equipment and provides HSE staff with access to information required for effective incident investigation and proactive training needs analysis. Other features include the ability to track when maintenance or servicing is due and adminstration is simply enabled with a secure web interface. Equipment can also be tagged out if this is required for any reason. In this mode, no operator, certified or otherwise, can physically use the equipment until it is safe to do so.

A wide range of applications kits have been developed so AccessPack is currently able to be fitted to any equipment powered from 2 to 415 V, AC or DC.