Posted on 03/16/2022 at 10:28 amViewed 656 times
In most industrial workplaces, there are necessary hazards that are a side effect of that industry’s processes or machinery. As such, there are safety measures put in place to minimize the risk to workers and prevent accidents or injuries on-site. Here is where machine guards in factories are commonly found to provide the greatest amount of safety.
Machine Guarding Procedures
Machine guards in factories are commonly found on all machinery that requires an operator. There shall always be one or more methods to protect both the operator and other employees working around the machinery. Machine guarding can refer to a physical barrier—such as protective cages, handrails, and more—or they can refer to emergency devices such as two-hand tripping devices or electronic safety devices that will immediately halt machinery the moment they are tripped.
Types of Machine Guarding
To elaborate on the types of custom machine guarding you will commonly encounter, let’s get into some further specifics.
- Fixed Guards – These are the physical barriers we previously mentioned. They separate employees from points of operation like power trains and other moving components. In addition to fences, gates, or handrails, fixed guards include covers for components, like blades.
- Adjustable Guard – Barriers that can be adjusted to cover multiple different operations.
- Interlocked Guard – A guard that disengages the power source of machinery when the guard is not in place. The machinery cannot be turned back on until the guard is replaced.
- Self-Adjusting Guard – Guards that can self-adjust according to the size and position of machinery or the workplace.
Maximizing Worker Safety
In order to maximize the safety of your workers, there are some good rules to keep in mind in addition to providing machine guards for industrial workplaces. In regard to machinery:
- Ensure workers and objects are kept clear of moving mechanisms.
- Moving, overheard components like pulleys should always be monitored so as not to become a potential hazard.
- Ensure guards are securely placed at all points where workers could come into contact with the moving parts of a machine.
Regarding your employees, rules to enforce include:
- Remove all jewelry or loose clothing that could be caught in a machine.
- Read and understand the user manual for machines before operating them.
- Feed material into machines with push sticks, never your hands.
- Be aware of how a machine powers on and off should an emergency occur.
