Machine guarding is a crucial aspect of industrial equipment safety. It is designed to protect workers from accidents and injuries caused by moving parts of the machinery. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), machinery and equipment are a leading cause of workplace injuries, and proper machine guarding can prevent these accidents.
The OSHA standards for machine guarding can be found in 29 CFR 1910.212. This regulation states that all moving parts of a machine must be guarded to protect workers from accidental contact. The OSHA standards also require that machine guards be securely attached to the machine and be strong enough to withstand the forces that may be applied to them.
In addition to OSHA regulations, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) also provides guidelines for machine guarding. ANSI B11.19-2010 provides requirements for the design, construction, installation, and use of machine guards. This standard is intended to reduce the risk of injury from hazardous mechanical motions and forces, as well as from hazardous machine operations.
There are several types of machine guards, including
Fixed guards - are permanent and cannot be removed or adjusted.
Adjustable guards - can be moved or removed to allow for maintenance or operation, but they must be returned to their proper position after the work is completed.
Interlocked guards - are designed to automatically shut off or disengage the machinery when the guard is opened or removed.
Proper machine guarding is essential to the safety of workers. Employers should ensure that all machinery and equipment in the workplace are properly guarded and that workers are trained on the safe use of the machinery. By following OSHA and ANSI guidelines, employers can help prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.
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