When it comes to machine guarding, does more guarding result in fewer accidents? I have often wondered that. It might depend upon how you define ‘accident’. Is a mishap where no injury occurs considered an accident? How about if it results in damage to the machinery or the work piece?
I recall when lap seat belts in cars were first encouraged there was criticism that though the seat belts would indeed keep people from flying through the windshields it didn’t necessarily make them safer. The drivers and passengers would still bend forward and their heads would collide with steering wheels and dashboards. The seat belts have been upgraded since with a locking over-the-shoulder harness. Softer dashboards, front and side air bags have also been added.
These safe guards have made a difference in fatalities. In Minnesota, 85% of the drivers wear their seat belts. Of the car accidents that result in a fatality, upwards of 55% involve people who weren’t wearing their safety belt. That 15% of the population who don’t wear their seat belt provide a disproportionately high amount of the car accident fatalities.
So if the fatalities resulting from an auto accident are down, is the number of accidents as a whole down because of seat belt use? Are the minor injuries also reduced? Some experts theorized with the advent of seat belts that more accidents would actually result. They theorized that people would feel safer while wearing a seat belt and then feel more invincible, causing them to drive more recklessly. This recklessness might appear as driving at faster speeds or trying to multitask by also talking on a cell phone or hunt for a radio station while driving.
I have seen this theory affirmed when taking hikes with a Boy Scout troop. Most of the hikes the troop takes are along well defined paths. When walking on these trails, a scout feels relatively safe and doesn’t really pay much attention to where he is stepping. On these hikes the scouts will often stumble over the odd tree root or rock that they failed to notice. Sometimes this led to a minor twisted ankle. These are accidents but not serious or life threatening.
On a couple of occasions the troop has hiked over very rugged terrain. The scouts have climbed over rock falls where sharp ridges of rock are protruding, and where it would be very easy to twist an ankle. If they should happen to fall, a serious accident could result. During these hikes I noticed the scouts paid close attention to what they were doing. They stepped carefully, kept their arms out for balance and were prepared to catch themselves by reaching out and grabbing on to something to prevent a fall.
As a leader and an adult in a position of responsibility there would be lots of butterflies in my stomach during these hikes. I would imagine all the possible accidents that could occur. Fortunately, during these more dangerous excursions, accidents did not occur.
So how does this translate into the world of machine guarding? It stands to reason that installing guards on shop machines might not reduce the number of accidents, but would make them less serious in nature. The accident might result in a cut or scratch rather than a lost digit.
Thanks to Andy Goettsch
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Machine Guarding Basics
You might wonder why you would have to install guards on your woodworking or metal working machines. Aren't manufacturers required to install guards on the machines they sell? The short answer to that is no.
Many manufacturers continue to build and sell their tools without the necessary safeguards and electrical controls required by OSHA and various safety regulations. Current laws do not require the machine manufacturers to do so. OSHA requires that the employer make sure all of the machines that are used in the workplace comply with current standards.
Simply stated, it is up to you to make sure your machines are properly guarded so you do not get hurt or hurt anyone around you. Unfortunately, not every machine will perform the intended function without posing an injury hazard to the operator. Therefore, you must make a reasonable effort to protect the operator from its inherent hazards.
So where do most mechanical hazards occur? Moving parts pose hazards in three main places - The Point of Operation, Power Transmission and Other Moving Parts.
The Point of Operation is the place where machine's purpose takes place. For example, where a saw blade cuts wood or where a drill bit bores a hole. Common injuries include cuts ranging from minor to fatal, flying material chips, ejected parts and puncture wounds. These areas need to be guarded with chip shield or rigid barriers.
The Power Transmission is the point where power is transferred from the machine's motor to its point of operation. Belts, pulley and lead screws are a major source of crushed hands, entangled hair and clothing. These accidents occur quickly and often cause serious injury or fatalities. Exposed belts and pulleys should be covered with a panel that cannot be easily removed to protect the operator.
Other Moving Parts include any other machine part that moves in a rotating, reciprocating or feeding motion.
You might ask, “How do I know if a machine requires a safety guard? A good rule to remember is, "Any machine part, function, or process which may cause injury must be safeguarded. When the operation of a machine or accidental contact with it can injure the operator or others in the vicinity, the hazard must either be controlled or eliminated." (From the OSHA Machine-Guarding Standard)
After assessing the machines in your shop and performing necessary guarding, you should be confident that the machines are guarded to the relevant standards. If you are not sure that they are, it may be time to seek help from an expert.
The purpose of hiring an expert is to help you provide a workplace free of machine hazards. Working with your safety committee, the machine guarding company will provide a thorough assessment of machine hazards. Next, they will implement a machine-guarding program that meets all manufacturing and regulatory requirements.
The result is an enhanced bottom line due to the increased productivity, efficiency and morale of your company’s most valuable asset, your employees.
Motor controls are another important item to review when performing a safety audit on a cutting or turning machine.
The first step is to determine if the machine’s motor controls meet current standards. OSHA and ANSI standards require that machines have an emergency stop within the operator’s reach. It should be red, latch when pushed and have a yellow background. The standards also require that there must be a way to disconnect power coming to the machine. The switch must be able to be pad-locked in the off position.
All machines must be equipped with a power outage device that does not allow the machine to restart automatically after a power outage. The operator must take an action, such as pushing the start button to restart the machine. Image the possibilities if a machine were to restart by itself when the power turns back on.
The safety expert you choose will help you provide a safe workplace with OSHA Compliant Hazard Guards and encourage employee involvement through a custom machine guarding program. The result is an enhanced bottom line due to the increased productivity, efficiency and morale of your company's most valuable asset, your employees.
More information at http://www.lovegreen.com/
Many manufacturers continue to build and sell their tools without the necessary safeguards and electrical controls required by OSHA and various safety regulations. Current laws do not require the machine manufacturers to do so. OSHA requires that the employer make sure all of the machines that are used in the workplace comply with current standards.
Simply stated, it is up to you to make sure your machines are properly guarded so you do not get hurt or hurt anyone around you. Unfortunately, not every machine will perform the intended function without posing an injury hazard to the operator. Therefore, you must make a reasonable effort to protect the operator from its inherent hazards.
So where do most mechanical hazards occur? Moving parts pose hazards in three main places - The Point of Operation, Power Transmission and Other Moving Parts.
The Point of Operation is the place where machine's purpose takes place. For example, where a saw blade cuts wood or where a drill bit bores a hole. Common injuries include cuts ranging from minor to fatal, flying material chips, ejected parts and puncture wounds. These areas need to be guarded with chip shield or rigid barriers.
The Power Transmission is the point where power is transferred from the machine's motor to its point of operation. Belts, pulley and lead screws are a major source of crushed hands, entangled hair and clothing. These accidents occur quickly and often cause serious injury or fatalities. Exposed belts and pulleys should be covered with a panel that cannot be easily removed to protect the operator.
Other Moving Parts include any other machine part that moves in a rotating, reciprocating or feeding motion.
You might ask, “How do I know if a machine requires a safety guard? A good rule to remember is, "Any machine part, function, or process which may cause injury must be safeguarded. When the operation of a machine or accidental contact with it can injure the operator or others in the vicinity, the hazard must either be controlled or eliminated." (From the OSHA Machine-Guarding Standard)
After assessing the machines in your shop and performing necessary guarding, you should be confident that the machines are guarded to the relevant standards. If you are not sure that they are, it may be time to seek help from an expert.
The purpose of hiring an expert is to help you provide a workplace free of machine hazards. Working with your safety committee, the machine guarding company will provide a thorough assessment of machine hazards. Next, they will implement a machine-guarding program that meets all manufacturing and regulatory requirements.
The result is an enhanced bottom line due to the increased productivity, efficiency and morale of your company’s most valuable asset, your employees.
Motor controls are another important item to review when performing a safety audit on a cutting or turning machine.
The first step is to determine if the machine’s motor controls meet current standards. OSHA and ANSI standards require that machines have an emergency stop within the operator’s reach. It should be red, latch when pushed and have a yellow background. The standards also require that there must be a way to disconnect power coming to the machine. The switch must be able to be pad-locked in the off position.
All machines must be equipped with a power outage device that does not allow the machine to restart automatically after a power outage. The operator must take an action, such as pushing the start button to restart the machine. Image the possibilities if a machine were to restart by itself when the power turns back on.
The safety expert you choose will help you provide a safe workplace with OSHA Compliant Hazard Guards and encourage employee involvement through a custom machine guarding program. The result is an enhanced bottom line due to the increased productivity, efficiency and morale of your company's most valuable asset, your employees.
More information at http://www.lovegreen.com/
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