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Bespoke Plastic Machine Guarding Solutions
Dipec is a leading expert in the fabrication of custom machine guards, providing businesses with high-quality bespoke plastic guarding solutions to enhance workplace safety and ensure compliance with UK health and safety regulations. Our expertly crafted machine safety guards help protect operators from the risks associated with moving machinery parts, preventing workplace accidents and ensuring that your equipment meets the highest safety standards.
Custom-Fabricated Plastic Machine Guards
Our plastic machine guards are engineered from high-performance materials, including polycarbonate, acrylic, PETG, and PVC. These materials are selected for their durability, impact resistance, optical clarity, and ability to withstand industrial environments.
We understand that every machine has unique requirements, which is why we offer tailor-made solutions designed to fit seamlessly with your equipment. Whether you operate in manufacturing, automotive, food processing, or other industries, our bespoke machine guarding solutions provide the safety and protection your business needs.
Why Choose Plastic Machine Guards?
- High impact resistance – Protects against accidental damage and heavy-duty use.
- Optical clarity – Ensures clear visibility for monitoring machinery operations.
- Lightweight and durable – Easier to install and maintain compared to metal guards.
- Chemical and moisture resistance – Ideal for food processing and medical industries.
Types of Plastic Machine Guards
Dipec manufactures a wide range of custom plastic machine guards, designed for different applications.
- Fixed Guards: Permanently attached safety barriers that provide continuous protection from hazardous machine components.
- Adjustable Guards: Hinged or movable guards that allow access for maintenance while ensuring protection when in use.
- Enclosed Guards: Fully enclosed safety covers designed to completely shield machinery, offering maximum protection.
- Interlocking Guards: Modular safety panels that can be configured to fit around different machine types, providing flexible guarding solutions.
With our customisable machine guarding options, we can fabricate bespoke protective barriers suited to your exact requirements, ensuring a perfect fit for your workplace safety needs.
Industries We Serve
Our custom plastic machine guards are trusted by businesses across multiple industries, including:
- Printing and Packaging – Safeguarding automated printing and packaging machinery.
- Food Processing – Hygienic and chemical-resistant guarding solutions for food industry equipment.
- Automotive Manufacturing – Protective barriers for CNC machines, presses, and assembly lines.
- Beverages and Cosmetics – Transparent plastic guards for bottling and packaging systems.
- Electronics & Engineering – Precision-engineered safety guards for delicate electronic components.
No matter your industry, we provide high-quality machine safety guards to ensure compliance with legally required HSE safety regulations while improving workplace efficiency and operator safety.
Ensure Compliance with Machine Guarding Regulations
In the UK, machine safety guarding is legally required under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). Our bespoke plastic machine guards help businesses comply with HSE guidelines by reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring equipment operates within safety regulations.
By choosing Dipec’s custom safety guards, you not only enhance worker safety but also demonstrate compliance with workplace safety laws, reducing liability and downtime due to injuries.
Get a Quote
If you’re looking for bespoke plastic machine guards tailored to your equipment, Dipec is here to help. Ensure the highest levels of workplace safety – designed to protect, comply, and perform.
Get in touch to discuss your requirements.
FAQs
What are machine guards, and why are they necessary?
Machine guards are protective barriers designed to prevent direct contact with hazardous machine components, such as moving parts, rotating mechanisms, and cutting tools. They serve as a crucial safety measure to reduce the risk of workplace injuries, including entanglements, crushing incidents, and flying debris.
Legally, machine guarding is a requirement in many industries to comply with workplace health and safety regulations, such as the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) in the UK. Properly designed guards not only protect operators but also enhance productivity by allowing the safe and efficient operation of machinery.
What types of plastic are used for machine guards, and which is the best option?
At Dipec, all of our plastic fabrication services utilise various high-quality plastics, including:
- Polycarbonate – The most impact-resistant option, offering exceptional durability and clarity. Ideal for high-risk environments requiring maximum strength.
- Acrylic (PMMA) – Provides excellent optical clarity and scratch resistance, making it a great choice for environments where visibility is crucial.
- PETG – A strong yet flexible material with good chemical resistance, often used in food processing industries.
- PVC – A cost-effective option that offers good strength and resistance to chemicals, commonly used in industrial applications.
The best material depends on your specific application, operating conditions, and safety requirements. Our experts can assess your needs and recommend the most suitable plastic for your machine guards.
Can you manufacture custom guards for any type of machine?
Yes. Our machine guards are entirely bespoke, designed and fabricated to fit a wide range of machines across various industries. Whether you need a simple fixed barrier, an interlocking guard system, or a fully enclosed protective casing, we tailor each solution to your exact specifications.
We can work with CAD drawings, measurements, or even on-site assessments to ensure a precise fit that meets all safety standards.
Are plastic machine guards better than metal alternatives?
Both plastic and metal guards have their advantages, and the best choice depends on the specific application:
✅ Advantages of Plastic Machine Guards:
- Lightweight yet strong, reducing stress on machine components.
- High optical clarity, allowing for clear visibility of machine operations.
- Corrosion-resistant and ideal for wet or chemically exposed environments.
- Customisable and easier to fabricate into complex shapes compared to metal.
✅ Advantages of Metal Machine Guards:
- Extremely durable and resistant to extreme impacts.
- Better suited for heavy-duty industrial machinery in high-risk environments.
For many applications, plastic will provide the perfect balance of strength, visibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Do plastic machine guards meet health and safety regulations?
Yes. Our machine guards are designed to comply with key workplace safety standards, including:
- PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) – Ensures that machinery is properly safeguarded to prevent injury.
- HSE Guidelines – Our guards align with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommendations for workplace safety.
- Industry-Specific Compliance – We manufacture guards to meet the specific safety standards required in industries such as food processing, general manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.
We work closely with clients to ensure that their machine guarding solutions meet all regulatory requirements.
Can machine guards be designed for food processing or cleanroom environments?
Absolutely. We fabricate machine guards from food-safe plastics such as PETG and polycarbonate, which are compliant with food industry regulations.
These materials offer:
- High impact resistance for durability in busy production environments.
- Chemical resistance to withstand cleaning agents and sanitisation procedures.
- Smooth, non-porous surfaces to prevent bacterial buildup.
For cleanroom applications, we ensure that guards are precision-manufactured to minimise contamination risks.
How long do plastic machine guards last?
The lifespan of a plastic machine guard depends on factors such as the type of plastic, environmental conditions, and frequency of use.
Generally:
- Polycarbonate guards can last 5-10 years or more, even in demanding environments.
- Acrylic guards are highly durable but may require replacement sooner in high-impact areas.
- PETG and PVC guards offer good longevity but may degrade faster when exposed to harsh chemicals or extreme temperatures.
Regular inspections and maintenance will ensure optimal performance and safety over time.
Do you offer replacement machine guards for existing equipment?
Yes, we can fabricate replacement guards for outdated, damaged, or worn-out machine guards. If you have an existing guard that needs replacing, we can replicate it based on its dimensions or improve upon the design with enhanced materials for better durability and safety.
How do I get a quote for a custom machine guard?
To request a quote, simply contact us via sales@dipec.co.uk or call 029 2059 8393. You can also fill out our enquiry form on our website.
For the most accurate quote, please provide:
- Machine type and dimensions.
- Required material (if known).
- Specific safety or regulatory requirements.
- Any design preferences or existing drawings.
Our team will work with you to develop a tailored solution that fits your needs.