There are many dangers and hazards that can be present in an industrial work environment.

This is particularly true in a machine shop area. Machine guarding is a critical method that can be used to protect workers from the many dangers that can be present. Injuries such as the loss of toes and fingers can result along with injuries to the ears and eyes can occur without the proper use of industrial safety equipment.

The primary purpose of a machine guard is to ensure that the worker’s body does not come into contact with dangerous moving parts. There are three primary areas that are present on all machines. They are the power transmission, the operation point and the operating controls. All of these areas represent danger to the worker due to moving parts.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration, otherwise known as OSHA, dictates that any machine part that can cause injury to a worker must be safeguarded. Employers are responsible for complying with requirements set forth by OSHA in order to ensure that workers are protected from any risks that may be present within the work area.

Machine guards are meant to protect the machine operator as well as any other workers who may be present in that area from potential hazards. Such hazards include flying chips and sparks that may be created by rotating parts. In some instances, custom machine guarding may be necessary for adequate protection, including fencing and custom made barriers or curtains. Plastic guards may also be used in some circumstances for protection. It should be kept in mind that the size of the machine is immaterial to the amount of danger that could be presented. Even a small machine can still result in a hazard. In order to increase protection, professional installation of guards is high recommended.

OSHA regularly conducts audits in industrial areas to ensure that regulations intended for the safety of workers are followed. Machine guarding ensures that all workers within an industrial environment are adequately protected, which can help to reduce lost work time and improve productivity. Taking the proper precautions can help to ensure that your workers are protected and your business is as productive as possible.

For information in OSHA Machine Guarding standards click here