What Happens Once the Safeguarding is Complete?

Even the best machine guarding system will not be effective without employee approval. The machine operator needs to understand why the guarding was installed and how it will protect them from the inherent hazards.Our experience has taught us that when the workers are included in a machine safeguarding initative, acceptance of the changes is much greater than cases when it is thrust upon them.

Therefore, machine specific training is an important part of any effort to provide safeguarding against machine-related hazards. Each machine operator should receive hands-on safety training that includes the following topics.

Identification of the hazards associated with a particular machine – This includes a review of the point of operation, the power transmission elements and power controls.

Introduction to the installed safeguards – How will the new guards, shields or process controls protect the operator from the identified hazards? What hazards have not been eliminated?

How to use the safeguards – How can the worker operate the machine while the guards are in place? How do the light curtains, interlocks or scanners control the machine functions? Can the machine be run at low speeds while the doors are open?

Who can remove the safeguards and the procedures that must be followed before this happens.

Is a lockout / tagout program required?

What to do if a safeguard is broken , lock, or doesn't work as advertised.

This kind of safety training is necessary for machine operators and maintenance or setup personnel, when any new or altered safeguards are put in service, or when workers are assigned to a new machine or operation.

Lovegreen Risk Management offers safety training programs, classes and resources to help you understand and comply with government regulations, including OSHA and ANSI. We offer specialized training programs that meet your specific needs.

For more information about machine specific training, or to discuss your machine safeguarding needs, please contact me at fschmidt@lovegreen.com or by calling me at 800-262-8284.

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

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/

Welcome to Machine Guarding Today

This blog is devoted to discussing problems faced when trying to guard wood and metal working machines.

Good site to visit to learn machine guarding basics