Industrial microwave equipment comprises many systems which must be assessed for safety. Apart from the high profile of microwave exposure, there are high voltages (medium and EHT), hot surfaces and steam, and mechanical power drives with both slow- and fast-moving machinery. All these represent a hazard, but no more so than for other more conventional machinery; and the microwave component, correctly handled, is probably the least risk. It often raises anxiety and fear in people who are unfamiliar with it; they cannot see it, and because it is sometimes classified as radiation there is a confused feeling of risk of a radioactive nature.

Inspec keywords: machinery; hazards

Other keywords: equipment safety; steam; mechanical power drives; slow-moving machinery; microwave exposure; industrial microwave equipment; fast-moving machinery; hot surfaces; microwave component

Subjects: Mechanical machinery