Machine Guards

The Machine Guard Program is designed to protect Employees from hazards of moving machinery. All hazardous areas of a machine shall be guarded to prevent accidental “caught in” situations.

It is crucial to understand why machine and equipment safe guards are to be used on machines. Workers need to be trained in procedures to follow if they notice guards are damaged, missing or inadequate.

Machine & Equipment Hazards

Electrical Hazards – equipment that uses electricity as a power source is a potential electrocution hazard. Check power cords, switches and connections.

Amputation & Caught-in Hazards– machine guards on equipment are installed to protect our employees from moving parts.

Chemical Hazards– Leaks can cause slip hazards as well as possible exposure to harmful chemicals. Hoses that leak could create a respiratory problem from vapors

Sharp Edges– check equipment mounting brackets, sign edges and control boxes to see if sharp edges are present.

Eye Hazards– tools and equipment that create chips, sparks or dust are potential eye hazards. These types of eye hazards are generally controlled by safety glasses, goggles and face shields.

PPE– personal protective equipment should be considered a secondary line of defense against equipment hazards.

Maintenance workers must also know when to LOCK OUT the machines. This is extremely critical when repairs are being done on the machine.

 

Toolbox talk based on NMGC submitted by Mark Massey – P66 Bayway