Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Employees from Amputations

The following article is from the OSHA website and contains valuable information on how to implement a machine guarding program to protect your most valuable asset, your employees from machine related amputations at work.

This publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced, fully or partially, without permission. Source credit is requested, but not required. The full, 60 page handbook is available as a free download here.

Amputations are among the most severe and dis-abling workplace injuries that often result in permanent disability. They are widespread and involve various activities and equipment. (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2005 annual survey data indicated that there were 8,450 non-fatal amputation cases – involving days away from work – for all private industry.

Anyone responsible for the operation, servicing, and maintenance (also known as use and care) of machines (which, for purposes of this publication includes equipment) — employers, employees, safety professionals, and industrial hygienists— should read this publication.

This guide can help you, the small business employer, identify and manage common amputation hazards associated with the operation and care of machines.

To prevent employee amputations, you and your employees must first be able to recognize the con-tributing factors, such as the hazardous energy associated with your machinery and the specific employee activities performed with the mechanical operation.

Understanding the mechanical components of machinery, the hazardous mechanical motion that occurs at or near these components and specific employee activities performed in conjunction with machinery operation will help employees avoid injury.

Consult these standards directly to ensure full compliance with the provisions as this publication is not a substitute for the standards. States with OSHA-approved plans have at least equivalent standards. Contact your state office for more information.

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Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s employees by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.

This publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced, fully or partially, without permission. Source credit is requested, but not required.

This information is available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693- 1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.
Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Occupational Safety and Health

More machine guarding safety information at Lovegreen Machine Guarding

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Are there machines in your facility that violate OSHA safeguarding standards? We can help you find out with an on-site, machine safety survey. Our trained professionals will come to your site and perform a Machine Safeguarding Evaluation at 50% off the regular price.

From now until December 31st, 2009, Lovegreen Risk Management is offering you a chance to have your machines inspected for safety and regulatory compliance at 50% off our normal rates.

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Hazard Analysis & Machine Guarding

As an employer, you are concerned about maintaining productivity, efficiency, and employee morale. Companies that institute a comprehensive safety and machine guarding program are amazed at the positive effects on the company's business and employee attitudes! Our trained professionals will come to your site, perform a Hazard Analysis Safety Audit, and recommend proactive preventive measures.

So what is Hazard Analysis? The first thing to do is to identify potential machine hazards by determining how serious the hazard is. Will an employee be injured if this hazard is not reduced? Secondly, how likely is it that the hazard will result in an accident? Finally, how often is the machine used? A combination of all three variables results in an assessment of risk score. The higher the total score is, the higher the probability of an occurrence with the machine.

Once the hazard analysis has generated a risk score, it needs to be determined if the risk can be eliminated all together. Sometimes the fix is as simple as installing a panel over the hazard with tamper proof hardware. In most cases, if the safety risk must be managed if it cannot be eliminated. Guarding the hazard with physical barriers and electronic devices can reduce the level of risk and probability of an accident.

There are several areas of interest 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 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.

Another area to survey is the point of operation. This is the place where the machine does its work. For example, where a drill bit enters a piece of wood. This area must have a shield that protects the operator from chips, broken bits and coolant.

One area that needs special attention is the power-transmission components. This includes belts, pulleys, gears, couplings and rotating shafts. These items create pinch and entanglement hazards and require careful inspection. All areas power transmission items up to 7 feet from the floor must be guarded.

A final category is everything else that has not been covered yet. You need to make sure that the machine is securely anchored to the floor, a workbench or is on a mobile cart that has locking wheels. Make sure that all OEM parts, guards and labels are in place. Areas that cannot be guarded must have a sign that warns the operator.

Download a FREE Machine Safety Survey Tool to conduct your own surveys to uncover the most common problems on your woodworking and metal working machines. It is easy to use and to understand.

Lovegreen Machine Guarding