Crushed hands and arms,
severed fingers and limbs, lacerations and abrasions -
the list of possible
machinery-related injuries is long and horrifying. Many hazards
are created by moving machine
parts. Safeguards are essential
for protecting workers from preventable injuries.
The following standards have been established to ensure the
safety of machine operators and other employees in the area:
For a printable sample employer self-inspection checklist
for safeguards and other hazards, please see Appendix
G.
Machine
Guarding |
The purpose of machine guarding is to protect the machine operator
and other employees in the work area from hazards created by ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and
sparks. Some examples of this are barrier guards, light curtains, two-hand operating
devices etc. [29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1)]
General
Requirements: [29 CFR
1910.212(a)(2)]
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Guards must not create potential hazards and must be attached to the machine where
possible.
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If guards cannot be attached to the machine, attach
elsewhere.
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Point
of Operation Guarding |
The point of operation is the area on a
machine where work is performed. [29
CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(i)]
Machines that expose an employee to injury
must be guarded. The guarding device must:
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If specific standards are not available, the
machine construction should prevent the operator from
having any part of his/her body in the danger zone during the
operating cycle. [29 CFR
1910.212(a)(3)(ii)]
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Press Brake Operation
Click on image to view video
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Special handtools used for placing and removing
material from point of operation areas must allow easy handling of
the material without the operator placing a hand in the
danger zone. Such tools must not replace guards required by
this section. [29 CFR
1910.212(a)(3)(iii)]
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Additional Guarding |
The following is a list of machines
that usually require point of operation guarding:
[29 CFR
1910.212(a)(3)(iv)]
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Guillotine cutters
(a)
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Shears
(b)
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Alligator shears
(c)
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Power presses
(d)
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Milling machines
(e)
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Power saws
(f)
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Jointers (g)
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Portable power tools (h)
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Forming rolls and calenders (i)
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Press brake cycle
Click on image to view animation
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Exposure of Blades |
When
the periphery of the blades of a fan is less
than seven (7) feet above the floor or working
level, the blades must be guarded. The guard
must not have openings larger than one-half (½)
inch. [29 CFR
1910.212(a)(5)]
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Running Fan
Click on image to view animation
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Eye and Face Protection |
Eye and face protection must be provided to
each employee when exposed to eye or face hazards from
flying particles. [29
CFR 1910.133(a)]
For more information, please refer to:
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Safety Goggles |
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Lockout/Tagout |
The employer must establish an energy
control program consisting of energy control procedures,
employee training, and periodic inspections to ensure that
before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on
a machine or equipment, the machine or equipment is isolated
from the energy source and rendered inoperative. [29 CFR
1910.147(c)(1)]
For more information, refer to:
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