Ensuring Worker Safety: Understanding the Role of Guards in Protecting Workers

Key Takeaways:

• Machine guards play a vital role in protecting workers from potential hazards and injuries in the workplace.
• OSHA regulations outline requirements for machine guarding to ensure worker safety.
• Hazards related to rotating, reciprocating, and transverse motions, as well as cutting and punching actions, must be identified and addressed through proper machine guarding.
• Machine safeguards must prevent contact with moving parts, be secure and durable, protect from falling objects, and create no new hazards.
• Guards and safety devices are two main types of safeguards, each serving different purposes and offering specific protection.
• Guards include fixed guards, interlocked guards, adjustable guards, and self-adjusting guards.
• Devices, such as presence-sensing devices, electromechanical sensing devices, pullback devices, and safety trip controls, provide additional safety measures.

Introduction: Prioritizing Worker Safety Through Effective Guarding

Worker safety is a paramount concern in any workplace, and ensuring the protection of workers from potential hazards and injuries is a responsibility that employers must take seriously. When it comes to machinery and equipment, the presence of moving parts can pose significant risks to workers. This is where machine guards come into play. Machine guards are essential safety measures designed to protect workers by preventing access to dangerous areas and reducing the likelihood of accidents. In this article, we will explore the role of guards in protecting workers and delve into the various types of guards used in different workplaces.

1. Understanding OSHA Requirements for Machine Guarding

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established regulations regarding machine guarding to ensure the safety of workers. These requirements can be found in 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910 Subpart O, Machinery and Machine Guarding. Adhering to these regulations is crucial for employers to create a safe work environment and protect their employees from potential hazards.

The OSHA requirements for machine guarding are outlined in various sections of 1910 Subpart O, including:

• 1910.211 — Definitions
• 1910.212 — General requirements for all machines
• 1910.213 — Woodworking machinery
• 1910.214 — Cooperage machinery [Reserved]
• 1910.215 — Abrasive wheel machinery
• 1910.216 — Mills and calendars in the rubber/plastics industries
• 1910.217 — Mechanical power presses
• 1910.218 — Forging machines
• 1910.219 — Mechanical power-transmission apparatus

These regulations provide guidelines and standards that employers must follow to ensure proper machine guarding and protect workers from potential hazards.

2. Identifying Hazardous Mechanical Motions and Actions

To effectively protect workers, it is essential to identify the hazardous mechanical motions and actions associated with machinery and equipment. Understanding these motions and actions helps employers develop appropriate safeguarding measures.

The basic types of hazardous mechanical motions are:

• Rotating motion: This involves the movement of machine parts in a circular motion. Even smooth, slowly rotating shafts can pose a danger by gripping clothing or forcing a worker’s body part into a dangerous position.
• Reciprocating motion: This back-and-forth or up-and-down action can result in workers being struck or caught between moving and stationary parts.
• Transverse motion: This involves movement in a straight continuous line and can lead to workers being caught or struck in pinch points or shear points.

Hazardous mechanical actions, on the other hand, are specific activities that can lead to injuries or accidents. Examples include cutting actions, punching actions, shearing actions, and bendingactions. These actions involve rotating, reciprocating, or transverse motions and can result in finger, head, or arm injuries, as well as flying chips and scrap material that can strike a worker’s eyes or face.

By understanding the hazardous mechanical motions and actions associated with machinery, employers can take appropriate measures to mitigate the risks and protect workers from potential injuries.

3. Requirements for Safeguards: Preventing Contact and Creating Safety Measures

Machine safeguards must meet certain requirements to effectively protect workers. These requirements aim to prevent contact with dangerous moving parts and create a safe working environment. Some key requirements for safeguards include:

• Preventing contact: Safeguards must prevent workers’ hands, arms, or any other part of their bodies from contacting dangerous moving parts.
• Security and durability: Safeguards should be secure and durable, ensuring that workers cannot easily remove or tamper with them. They should be made of materials that can withstand normal use and be firmly attached to the machine or secured elsewhere if attachment to the machine is not possible.
• Protection from falling objects: Safeguards should ensure that no objects can fall into moving parts, further reducing the risk of injury.
• No new hazards: Safeguards should not create new hazards such as shear points, jagged edges, or unfinished surfaces. Edges of safeguards should be rolled or bolted to eliminate sharp edges.
• No interference: Safeguards should not impede workers from performing their tasks efficiently. When safeguards hinder job performance, workers may bypass or disregard them, compromising their safety.
• Safe lubrication: If possible, machines should allow for lubrication without the need to remove the safeguards. Locating oil reservoirs outside the guard, with a line leading to the lubrication point, reduces the need for workers to enter hazardous areas.

By adhering to these requirements, employers can ensure that safeguards effectively protect workers while not hindering their productivity or creating additional hazards.

4. Exploring Different Types of Safeguarding: Guards and Devices

There are two main categories of safeguards used in machine guarding: guards and devices. Each category serves a specific purpose and offers unique protection to workers.

Guards: Guards are physical barriers that prevent access to dangerous areas of machinery. They can be categorized into four general types:

• Fixed guards: These guards are permanent parts of the machine and are designed to be simple and permanent. They offer continuous protection by physically blocking access to hazardous areas.
• Interlocked guards: Interlocked guards are designed to automatically shut off or disengage power when opened or removed. This ensures that the machine cannot cycle or start until the guard is replaced, providing an additional layer of safety.
• Adjustable guards: Adjustable guards can accommodate various sizes of stock or materials being processed. They are designed to be versatile and allow for different configurations based on the specific requirements of the machine and the task at hand.
• Self-adjusting guards: Self-adjusting guards are designed to move or adjust according to the movement of the stock or material being processed. As the operator moves the stock into the danger area, the guard is pushed away, creating an opening that is only large enough for the stock. This type of guard provides a customized and flexible solution for different workpieces.

Employers should select the appropriate type of guard based on the specific requirements of their machinery and the tasks performed by workers. Each type offers unique benefits and is suitable for different applications.

Devices: Safety devices are another category of safeguards used in machine guarding. These devices perform various functions to enhance worker safety. Some common types of safety devices include:

• Presence-sensing devices: These devices use light sources or radiofrequency/capacitance technology to interrupt the machine’s operating cycle when a body part is detected in the danger area. They help prevent accidental contactwith moving parts by quickly stopping or deactivating the machine.
• Electromechanical sensing devices: These devices have a probe or contact bar that descends to a predetermined distance when the machine cycle is initiated. If there is an obstruction preventing the full descent of the probe, the control circuit prevents the machine from starting. This type of device ensures that workers’ hands or objects are clear of the danger area before the machine operates.
• Pullback devices: Pullback devices use cables attached to the operator’s hands, wrists, or arms. They are primarily used on machines with stroking-action hazards. When the slide or ram is up (between cycles), the operator has access to the point of operation. As the slide or ram begins to descend, a mechanical link automatically moves the operator’s hands away from the danger area, preventing contact with the moving parts.
• Restraint (hold-back) devices: These devices restrict the movement of the operator’s hands to a predetermined safe area and prevent them from reaching into the danger area. Cables or straps are attached to the operator’s hands and a fixed point, ensuring that the hands stay clear of hazardous areas.
• Safety trip controls: Safety trip controls, such as pressure-sensitive body bars, safety tripods, and safety tripwire cables, quickly deactivate a machine in emergencies. They provide an immediate means of stopping the machine’s operation if a worker’s presence is detected in the danger zone.
• Two-hand controls: Two-hand controls require both of the operator’s hands to be in constant contact with the controls for the machine to operate. This ensures that the operator’s hands are kept out of the danger area during the machine’s operation.
• Two-hand trip: Two-hand trip systems require the operator to simultaneously press control buttons to initiate the machine cycle. This ensures that both hands are clear of the danger area before the machine starts. These systems prevent workers from using one hand or other body parts to activate the machine, further enhancing safety.
• Gates: Gates are movable barriers placed at the point of operation to protect the operator before the machine cycle starts. To be effective, gates must be interlocked, meaning the machine cannot start a cycle unless the gate guard is in place. Gates provide a physical barrier that prevents access to hazardous areas until it is safe to do so.

Employers should assess the specific hazards associated with their machinery and select the appropriate safety devices to supplement their machine guarding efforts. Each type of device offers unique safety features and benefits.

5. Location and Distance as Safeguarding Techniques

While not actual guards or devices, the strategic placement of machines in infrequently traveled areas or inaccessible locations can contribute to worker safety. By positioning machinery away from high-traffic areas or ensuring that dangerous moving parts are not accessible, employers can minimize the risk of accidental contact and reduce the need for physical guards or devices. This safeguarding technique should be employed in conjunction with other safeguards and should be based on a thorough hazard analysis of each machine and work area.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Worker Safety Through Effective Guarding Measures

Protecting workers from potential hazards and injuries is a crucial responsibility for employers. Machine guards play a significant role in ensuring worker safety by preventing access to dangerous areas and minimizing the risk of accidents caused by moving parts. By adhering to OSHA requirements, identifying hazardous mechanical motions and actions, and implementing appropriate safeguards, employers can create a safe work environment and protect their employees.

Understanding the different types of guards, such as fixed guards, interlocked guards, adjustable guards, and self-adjusting guards, allows employers to select the most suitable solution for their machinery. Additionally, employing safety devices like presence-sensing devices, electromechanical sensing devices, pullback devices, and safety trip controls provides additional layers of protection.

By prioritizing worker safety and implementing effective machine guarding measures, employers can promote a culture of safety and reduce the risk of workplace injuries. Regular inspections, training programs, and ongoing maintenance of safeguards are essential to ensure their effectiveness over time.

Remember, safeguarding is not a one-time task. As technology evolves and work processes change, it’s important to reassess and update safeguarding measures accordingly. By continuously improving machine guarding practices and staying abreast of industry best practices, employers can create a safer work environment for their employees and prevent avoidable accidents.

Protecting workers should always be a top priority, and investing in proper machine guarding measures is a crucial step toward achieving that goal. By following OSHA regulations, identifying hazards, implementing appropriate safeguards, and regularly evaluating and updating safety measures, employers can protect their most valuable asset—their workers—and foster a culture of safety in the workplace.