23 Nov Machine Safety – Safe Machine Operation

Machine Safety – Safe Machine Operation

Machine safety requires proper training, functioning safeguards, safe work practices, and constant attention whenever employees operate or work around machinery. Moving machine parts can pinch, cut, crush, amputate, or entangle body parts, and serious injuries can happen in seconds.

Only employees who have been trained and authorized may operate machinery.

Before Starting a Machine

Before starting any machine, understand how it operates, its hazards, and how to stop it safely. Conduct a pre-use check and make sure:

• Everyone is clear of the machine and its danger zones.
• Required guards and safety devices are installed, properly adjusted, and functioning.
• Emergency stops and controls are accessible.
• The work area is clean and adequately illuminated.
• Tools, materials, and other objects will not interfere with operation.
• You are wearing the required personal protective equipment.

Never start a machine when a guard or safety device is missing, damaged, or malfunctioning.

Guards and Safety Devices

Machine guards and safety devices are installed to protect employees from points of operation, rotating parts, nip points, flying materials, and other hazards.

• Never remove, bypass, block, tie down, or defeat a guard or safety device.
• Never reach around, under, over, or through a guard.
• Do not operate equipment with missing or damaged safeguards.
• Report defective guards or safety devices immediately.
• Make sure guards removed for authorized maintenance are replaced before the machine is returned to service.

Production demands or saving time are never reasons to bypass a safeguard.

Clearing Jams and Performing Maintenance

Never use your hands to clear material from moving machinery.

When servicing, maintaining, cleaning, adjusting, or clearing jams exposes an employee to unexpected startup or hazardous energy:

• Shut down the machine.
• Isolate all hazardous energy sources.
• Apply required lockout/tagout devices.
• Release, block, restrain, or otherwise control stored energy.
• Verify that energy isolation is effective before beginning work.

Never attempt to stop a moving blade, wheel, shaft, or other component with your hand, a tool, or a makeshift device. Allow moving parts to come to a complete stop.

Clothing and Personal Hazards

Loose clothing and personal items can become caught in moving equipment and pull a worker into the machine.

When operating or working near machinery:

• Secure long hair.
• Avoid loose or dangling clothing.
• Remove jewelry, lanyards, scarves, neckties, and similar items that could become entangled.
• Wear appropriate eye, face, foot, and other required protection.
• Use caution with gloves around rotating machinery because gloves can become caught and pulled into moving parts.

Safe Machine Operation

• Operate equipment only as intended by the manufacturer.
• Keep hands and other body parts away from danger zones.
• Never distract or startle someone operating machinery.
• Stay focused on the task and avoid unnecessary distractions.
• Keep the machine and surrounding work area clean.
• Never leave operating equipment unattended unless it is specifically designed for unattended operation and company procedures permit it.
• Stop work and report unusual noises, vibration, damaged components, or other unsafe conditions.

Remember

Even familiar or seemingly simple machines can cause serious injuries. Training, machine guards, hazardous-energy controls, and safe operating procedures work together to protect employees