Are Your Machines Safe or Unsafe?
The answer is usually somewhere between the two choices. By their nature,
machines can be dangerous even when used in a proper manner. Many manufacturers
continue to build and sell their tools without the necessary safeguards
and electrical controls required by OSHA and various safety regulations.
Our experience shows that improper guarding can slow down production
and create a safety hazard.
This article is an introduction to machine safeguarding. The reader
can download a free, simple survey that will allow them to check for
common machine guarding violations including improper point of operation
protection and incorrect motor controls.
Do you know what an accident can cost you?
A single accident can mess up your finances for years. Money set aside
for a new car or vacation is spent on doctor bills. You may be off work
for months or unable to return at all. You will spend your free time
battling your insurance company to get a fair settlement. If the accident
happens at work, a legal judgment against an employer can easily bankrupt
an otherwise healthy company.
Why Install Machine Guards?
Simply stated, so you do not get hurt or hurt anyone around you. Machine
use can be dangerous, even when you are careful. Unfortunately, not
every machine will perform the intended function without posing an injury
hazard to the operator. By installing machine guards at work, an employer
can save money by reducing insurance rates, increasing productivity
and protecting employees.
Machine manufacturers are not required to provide motor controllers
and safeguarding equipment that meets OSHA standards. OSHA requires
that you the employer make sure all of the machines in the workplace
comply with relevant regulations.
How do I know if my machines comply with current safety standards?
Most machine hazards occur in three main places. The point of operation,
(where a blade cuts a piece of wood), power transmission, (belt and
pulleys) and power controllers. Performing a safeguarding evaluation
on each machine will help uncover the most common safety problems with
woodworking and metal working machines.
So what is a Safeguarding Evaluation?
The first thing we do is to identify potential machine hazards by determining
how serious the hazard is. How severely can an employee be injured if
this hazard is not reduced. Secondly, how likely is it that the hazard
will result in an accident? And finally, how often is the machine used?
A combination of all three variables result in an assessment of risk
score. The higher the score, the higher the probability of an occurrence
with the machine. A basic machine guarding survey form may be downloaded
here. For example, if you have a drill press, the page on drill
presses lists the most common areas that need attention. Answer each
question either yes or no to determine the machine's potential hazards
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 the safety risk cannot be eliminated so it must
be managed. This may be accomplished by guarding the hazard with physical
barriers and electronic devices. Barriers and shields are used to reduce
the level of risk and probability of an accident.
During the evaluation, our professionals will inspect perimeter guarding,
point-of-operation protection, and power transmission guarding. The
machines' electrical system will also be inspected for emergency stop
compliance. We will provide you with an illustrated, written report
detailing each machine's risk factors.
Next, we provide you with written recommendations for safeguarding your
machine to ensure compliance with current standards. These recommendations
may include physical barriers, light curtains, electrical controls or
a combination of other options. We will then install safeguarding systems
on your equipment or supply your maintenance department with the proper
guarding supplies if your choose to have your maintenance department
perform the guarding work.
What do I do if I uncover a problem?
A machine's safeguarding is usually neither safe nor unsafe, but somewhere
in between. Your job is to find ways to manage the risk and provide
a safe and healthful working environment. Sometimes the fix is as simple
as installing a panel over the hazard with tamper proof hardware.
In most cases, the safety risk cannot be eliminated so it must be managed.
This is accomplished by guarding the hazard with physical barriers and
electronic devices. Barriers and shields are used to reduce the level
of risk and probability of an accident.
If you do find a problem that you do not know how to fix you can we
can help you decide on how to safeguard your machine so that it complies
with relevant standards.
If you like more information, please email
us today.
