Machine Guarding
Machine guarding is a critical aspect of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA) designed to protect workers from injuries caused by moving machine parts. According to OSHA regulations, machine guarding must be provided to protect operators and other employees from hazards such as point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips, and sparks.
Here are some key points about machine guarding:
Types of Guards
Common methods include barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, and electronic safety devices.
Recognizing Requirements
Guards must be affixed to the machine where possible and must prevent access to dangerous parts of the machine
Purpose
The primary goal is to prevent severe injuries like crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, or blindness.