MACHINE GUARDING

29 CFR 1910.211 to 1910.219

RULE OF THUMB

Any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury must be safeguarded.

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

Regulatory requirements found in 29 CFR 1910, Subpart OApplies to specific types of equipmentDescribes general requirements

WHERE MECHANICAL HAZARDS OCCUR

The point of operationIn the power transmission apparatusOther moving parts

REQUIREMENTS FORSAFEGUARDS

Minimum general requirements include:

– Prevent contact– Secure– Protect from falling objects– Create no new hazards– Create no interference

PREVENT CONTACT

The safeguard must prevent hands, arms, and any other part of an operator’s body from making contact with dangerous moving parts. The safeguarding system should eliminate the possibility of the operator or another worker placing parts of their bodies near hazardous moving parts.

SECURE

Operators should not be able to easily remove or tamper with safeguardsGuards should be made with a durable material that will withstand normal wear and tear.Guards must be firmly secured to the machine.

PROTECT FROM FALLINGPARTS

Safeguard should ensure that no objects can fall into moving parts.A small tool dropped into a cycling machine could become a projectile that would strike and injure someone.

CREATE NO NEWHAZARDS

A safeguard defeats its own purpose if it creates new hazards such as a jagged edge or an unfinished surface that could cause a laceration.The edges of the guard, for example, should be rolled or bolted so that sharp edges are eliminated.

CREATE NOINTERFERENCE

A safeguard that impedes an operator from performing the job quickly and comfortably may be overridden or disregarded.Proper safeguarding may actually enhance efficiency since it relieves the operator’s apprehensions about the injury.

TYPES OF GUARDS

FixedAdjustableSelf-adjustable

FIXED GUARDS

A permanent part of the machineNot dependant on any other part to perform the functionUsually made of sheet metal, screen bars or other material which will withstand the anticipated impactConsidered the preferred type of guardSimple and durable

ADJUSTABLE GUARDS

Very flexible to accommodate various types of stockManually adjusted

SELF-ADJUSTABLEGUARDS

The opening is determined by the movement of the stock through the guard. Does not always provide maximum protection.

MACHINES REQUIRING GUARDING

BandsawsCircular SawsGrindersFlat fillersTransplanters

Soil MixersPot fillersFansPTOs (Power Take Off)

BANDSAWS

CIRCULAR SAW

GRINDERS

FLAT FILLERS

FLAT FILLERS (CONT.)

TRANSPLANTERS

SOIL MIXERS

POT FILLERS

FANS

POWER TAKE OFF (PTO)SHIELDS/GUARDS

Every component of the PTO should be shielded for maximum protection. For this reason, engineers have developed four different types of shields:

– master shields– stub shaft shields– shaft shields– implement shields.

POWER TAKE OFFSHIELDS/GUARDS (Cont.)

PRECAUTIONS WITH PTO SHIELDS/GUARDS

Never remove PTO shields. Shield all PTOs completely by installing shaft shields, master shields, and implement shields. Always replace bent or damaged guards. Safety decals must be present on the tractor and PTO driven equipment.Do not perform maintenance on any equipment until the engine is shut off and the PTO and other machinery parts have completely stopped moving.

EXAMPLES OF POWER TAKE OFF GUARDING

WHEN IS EMPLOYEE TRAINING REQUIRED?

For new operators and maintenance or setup personnelWhen any new or altered safeguards are put in serviceWhen operators are assigned to a new machine or operation

REQUIREMENTS FOREMPLOYEE TRAINING

Description and identification of hazards associated with particular machinesThe safeguards themselves, how they provide protection, and the hazards for which they are intendedHow to use the safeguards and why

REQUIREMENTS FOREMPLOYEE TRAINING (Cont.)

How and under what circumstances safeguards can be removed, and by whom (in most cases, repair or maintenance personnel only)What to do if a safeguard is damaged, missing or unable to provide adequate protection

SUMMARY

Where mechanical hazards occurRequirements for safeguardsTypes of guardsMachines requiring guarding (pictures)Employee training

REFERENCES FORMORE INFORMATION

http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/menu/topic/machinery_guarding.htmlhttp://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0994_2.htmlhttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/machineguarding/index.html#eTools

LET’S SEE WHATYOU’VE LEARNED

Quiz time!!!

QUESTION 1

Mechanical hazards occur at the point of operation, in the power transmission apparatus, and ___________________.Answer: Mechanical hazards occur at the point of operation, in the power transmission apparatus, and in any other moving parts.

QUESTION 2

Any moving part on a piece of equipment that could injure an employee should be guarded.

True or FalseAnswer: True. All moving parts that create a hazard should be guarded.

QUESTION 3

Employees should be trained when new safeguards are put in service.

True or FalseAnswer: True. Employees should be trained when new or altered safeguards are put in service.

QUESTION 4

The blades of a fan located less than 7 feet from the ground shall be guarded and the guard shall have openings no larger than _______ inch(es).Answer: The blades of a fan located less than 7 feet from the ground shall be guarded and the guard shall have openings no larger than one-half (1/2) inch.

QUESTION 5

As long as the guards remain in place, operators should not be trained on machine guarding.

True or FalseAnswer: False. If operators work with equipment containing safeguards, they should be adequately trained on how to use them.

QUESTION 6

Some guards may not prevent parts of the worker’s body and clothing from making contact with dangerous parts.

True or FalseAnswer: False. All guards must prevent contact.

QUESTION 7

Fixed guards are a permanent part of the machine.

True or FalseAnswer: True. Fixed guards are a permanent part of the machine and to deter easy removal, a fixed guard must require the aid of an appropriate tool to open, remove, replace, perform maintenance or repair work.

QUESTION 8

Name one minimum general requirement for safeguards.Answers– prevent contact – be secure – protect from falling parts– create no new hazards– create no interference

QUESTION 9

Keep any shielding on PTO’s in place or replace immediately after servicing.

True or FalseAnswer: True. If the removal of a guard is absolutely necessary for maintenance or repair, replace the guard immediately when finished.

QUESTION 10

List the types of guards common to our industry.Answer: Fixed, adjustable, and self-adjustable.

THE END