Machine Safeguarding

Study Notes

Machine-related injuries can be severe, including crushed hands and arms, cut off fingers, and blindness, hence safeguards are essential to protect workers.

The point of operation is where work is performed on the material, such as cutting, shaping, boring, or forming of stock, and it must be guarded.

In-running nip points, belts, pulleys, chains, and sprockets are rotating parts that require safeguarding.

Fixed Guard: Provides a permanent barrier, preferable to all other types of guards.
Interlocked Guard: Automatically shuts off or disengages the machine when opened or removed, and cannot cycle or be started until the guard is back in place.
Adjustable Guard: Provides a barrier that can be adjusted to facilitate various production operations.
Self-Adjusting Guard: Automatically adjusts to different sizes or shapes of material being processed.
Pullback Device: Utilizes a series of cables attached to the operator's hands, wrists, and/or arms to withdraw hands when the slide/ram begins to descend.
Restraint Device: Uses cables or straps attached to the operator's hands and a fixed point to restrict access to the point of operation.
Gate: A movable barrier device that protects the operator at the point of operation before the machine cycle can be started.

Locate machines or their dangerous moving parts to make them inaccessible or non-hazardous to workers during normal operation.
Maintain a safe distance from the danger area.

Machines that load and unload stock, assemble parts, transfer objects, or perform other tasks, best used in high-production processes requiring repeated routines to prevent hazards to employees.