Machine Guards
by
Dr. Isabel Perry, “The Safety Doctor”
362 words
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
requires that a company protect machine operators and anyone who might be in
the vicinity of hazards associated with the operation of those machines. Potential hazards exist at points of
operation, in-going nip points, and wherever there are rotating parts, flying
chips or sparks.
Training is a necessary part of any good Health and
Safety Plan. Teaching people to follow safety procedures and to look for
potential problems will create a safe working environment for everyone. Training
should include:
¨
Description and identification of specific hazards
related to machines
¨
Description of safeguards and how they function
¨
How to use the safeguards
¨
When it is appropriate to remove safeguards, and
how to remove them safely
¨
What to do when a safeguard is missing
Machine safeguards should be installed and maintained
to prevent contact, and be secure enough that they cannot be easily removed or
tampered with. Safeguards should not only protect machine operators, but keep
objects from falling into moving parts. Take
care that the safeguard does not impede the worker from doing his job, or
create a new hazard. It should be
possible to lubricate or maintain the machine without removing the safeguard.
Types of Safeguards
Signs and other aids that warn of a possible danger
area
Barriers which prevent direct contact with the
machine
Feeding and ejection processes that eliminate the handling
of machine parts in the hazard zone.
Mechanical and electronic devices which either
restrain or restrict contact. Examples of these are two-hand controls, gates,
tripping devices, and sensors
Types of Potentially Hazardous Operations
¨
Bending – tube benders, press brakes, or plate
rolls
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Punching – notchers and punch presses
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Shearing – hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical
shears
¨
Cutters – bandsaws, drills and lathes and
milling machines
Types of Potentially Hazardous Moving Points
¨
Rotating – couplings, spindles, shaft ends,
in-running nip points
¨
Reciprocating – up and down or back and forth
¨
Transverse – any movement that is in a straight
continuous line
Workplace accidents result in lost productivity, loss of
employee morale, and sometimes in lawsuits.
Avoid accidents by installing and maintaining appropriate safeguards,
and by creating and enforcing safety procedures.
Dr. Isabel Perry is
an internationally-known safety expert, motivational speaker, author, and
safety educator. Based in Orlando, Florida, she can be reached at 407-291-1209 or via e-mail at
[email protected]