Machine Guarding Safety
Machine Guarding Safety
1. Moving machine parts have the potential to cause severe workplace injuries, such as crushed fingers
or hands, amputations, burns, or blindness. Any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury
must be safeguarded. Safeguards are essential for protection from these preventable injuries.
reaching in to open equipment, not using lockout/tag out, unauthorized persons doing maintenance or
using the machines, and missing or loose machine guards.
The Point of Operation: The point on the machine where work is performed
ii. Power Transmission Apparatus: All components of the mechanical system which transmit energy.
iii. Moving parts: All parts of the machine that move while the machine is working.
i. Prevent Contact: A good safeguarding system eliminates the possibility of the operator or another
worker placing parts of their bodies near hazardous moving parts.
ii. Secure: Operators should not be able to easily remove or tamper with the safeguard,
iii. Protect from Falling Objects: The guard should ensure that no objects can fall into moving parts.
iv. Create No Interference: Any guard that impedes an operator from performing the job quickly and
comfortably might soon be overridden or disregarded.
v. Allow Safe Lubrication: Operators should be able to lubricate the machine without removing the
guards.
5. Types of machine guards that you should be aware of and know the difference between.
i. Fixed Guard
i. Keep all machines in good condition with regular maintenance, using SOP.
ii. Inspect the machines for cleanliness, freely operating parts and damage using SOP.