The Importance of Machine Guarding
Machine guarding is basically guarding or protecting machine parts that are the most dangerous. Any machine part, function, or process which may cause injury must be safeguarded. Machine guarding reduces the likelihood that an accident will occur because of things like mechanical failure, human error, electrical failure, or poor design.
Using a machine safely, to avoid a potential injury, entails many factors. There are many different types of machine safeguards. The type of guard that has to be used depends on the machine and the hazards it can pose. Before using any equipment the operator should be trained in how to use the safeguards, where the safeguards are located, the kind of protection they provide and which hazards they protect against. Operators need to know how and under what circumstances guards can be removed and they should be able to identify when guards are damaged, missing or inadequate.
Machine guarding helps to prevent amputations, lacerations, crushing injuries and abrasions. Without such guarding, the resulting injury can be severe or even fatal. There’s never a good reason to remove a guard on a machine that you’re using, even if you think you can work faster without it. Guards are there to protect you!
This belt drive is missing its protective guard and could cause an injury.
This information is provided as a service to you by Compliance Consultants, Inc.
