sewing machines

Sewing machine

by TBrous&Chip - 2017-05-25 06:24:06

Document everything.

You have performed this job with the PM and without incident for a long period of time.  

Get written documentation for each step your employer is taking in this process.  There should be documentation in your employee file.  You have a right to review this file.  If there is not documentation in your employee file request it be added.

Write your own notes of each meeting. 

The occ. health doctor may not be up to date with safety parameters of today's pacemakers.  Get your cardiologist to write his/her medical opinion and work authorization.

If this is not resolved to your satisfaction you might consider getting an attorney.

Motors

by bhdavis - 2017-05-25 08:31:54

I seriously doubt a sewing machine motor........even an industrial sewing machine........would emit enough of an electrical fied to affect a pacemaker.  I've was given clearance by the St. Jude's (Abbot Labratories) engineering staff on multiple occasions to continue working around high speed AC and DC motors.  This included 15 hp motors which have to be sgnificantly more powerful that what you are using.

Best bet is to call the techinical help line for your brand pacemaker.

BH

what!?!?!

by The real Patch - 2017-05-25 17:18:01

What did I miss, what does Angina have to do with this? And not to argue but blod flow not getting to the heart is called a heart attack, or Myocardial Infarction, not Angina. I have had numerous heart attacks and unstable angina is part of my daily routine, I kinda know.

You're right, this is overkill. Try to get the manufacturer to write you something to help with your employer. Before I was stricken I wrote a detailed letter describing an employee's duties and had his Cardiologist sign off that he was not at risk...problem solved with my insurer

Where's the help when you need it?

by Gotrhythm - 2017-05-25 18:06:21

I hope someone with UK experience chimes in. Until then, a couple of thoughts.

1. In the US, you have to fight paper with paper. Their paper says "You can't.", You get a piece of paper that says you can. The side with the most paper wins.

2. It's silly to guess whether there's danger at a distance of 2 feet. Electromagnetic fields can be measured, and the tools for doing it are readily available. I think you can buy them at Lowes. I know I've seen them online. A piece of paper graphing the field strength at various distances should be instructive. It's possible that the field is undetectable.

legal protection

by dwelch - 2017-05-30 04:56:09

yes this is legal proteciton on their part, I dont expect the sewing machine vendor to help, if they are smart they are going to protect themselves to.  Your pacer vendor might not help either other than to say the strength of the field to avoid.  Get or rent a good meter, not a cheapy one like they sometimes advertise at this site for $20 or whatever, and measure it.  I would be impressed if any sewing machine even at the body of the machine is putting out that strong of a field.  But, you will have to see.  And then also ask the pacer vendor if there is a vest or shield you can wear (even aliuminum foil should work, but dont start wearing aluminum foil wrapped around you, folks will think you have a different condition).

Google is your friend

by LondonAndy - 2017-06-05 19:06:46

I googled "Pacemakers and industrial sewing machines" and found this Medtronic guide that says 15cm (6") distance:

http://www.phoenixicd.org.uk/EMC_Chart%20Medtronic%20ICDs.pdf