23 May Machine Guard Safety

Machine Guard Safety

Machine guard safety protects workers from moving parts, points of operation, and other machine hazards that can cause crushing, cutting, entanglement, amputation, or other serious injuries. If any machine part, function, or process can injure an employee, it must be properly safeguarded.

Before Operating a Machine

Before beginning work, inspect the machine and its safeguards. Checking guards should be part of the normal pre-use inspection.

Make sure:

• All required guards are securely in place.
• Guards are properly adjusted and functioning as intended.
• Guards do not create an additional hazard.
• Interlocks and other safety devices are operating properly.
• Emergency stops are accessible and functional.
• No one is within the machine’s danger zone.
• The work area is clean and free of unnecessary materials.

If a guard is missing, damaged, loose, or not functioning properly, do not operate the machine. Remove the equipment from service when appropriate and notify your supervisor.

Never Remove or Bypass Guards

Machine guards must never be removed, defeated, altered, blocked open, or bypassed while equipment is operating.

Never:

• Reach around, over, under, or through a guard.
• Disable an interlock or other safety device.
• Operate machinery with a missing or damaged guard.
• Modify a guard without authorization.
• Assume a quick task can safely be performed without the guard.

If a guard must be removed for authorized servicing, cleaning, adjustment, or repair, it must be properly reinstalled before the machine is returned to operation.

Lockout/Tagout and Blockout

Do not allow a jam, breakdown, or production delay to cause you to bypass hazardous-energy-control procedures.

Before removing guards or placing any part of your body into a machine danger zone for servicing or maintenance:

• Shut down the equipment according to established procedures.
• Isolate hazardous energy sources.
• Apply required locks and tags.
• Release or control stored energy.
• Block or restrain parts that could move, fall, or shift.
• Verify that hazardous energy has been effectively isolated before beginning work.

Simply turning off the machine’s operating switch is not a substitute for lockout/tagout when hazardous-energy-control procedures are required.

Training and Authorization

Only employees who have received appropriate training and authorization may operate machinery.

Employees must understand:

• The hazards associated with the machine.
• The purpose and function of its guards and safety devices.
• Proper operating procedures.
• Required personal protective equipment.
• Actions to take when a guard or safety device is damaged or malfunctioning.
• When lockout/tagout or other hazardous-energy controls are required.

Clothing and Personal Safety

Keep your hands and body away from moving machine parts. Secure long hair and avoid loose clothing, jewelry, lanyards, or other items that could become caught in machinery.

Required PPE should be worn, but PPE does not replace machine guarding. Be especially cautious with gloves around rotating machinery because they can become caught and pull the hand into the equipment.

After Maintenance or Repair

Before returning machinery to service:

• Reinstall all guards and safety devices.
• Verify that guards are properly secured.
• Remove tools and unnecessary materials.
• Make sure employees are clear of the equipment.
• Follow established procedures for removing lockout/tagout devices.
• Test the machine and safeguards as required before normal operation resumes.

Remember

Machine guards are installed for a reason. Never operate equipment without its required safeguards, and never sacrifice protection to save a few seconds or make a task easier.