The Role of Machine Guarding in Workplace Safety

 

The Role of Machine Guarding in Workplace Safety

The Role of Machine Guarding in Workplace Safety

Machine guarding is one of the essential aspects of workplace safety in any kind of industry. In the industrial workplaces, heavy machinery and equipment pose significant risks to employees who operates or working with these machines, making it crucial to ensure that proper safety measures are in place. Machine guarding having many types and generally refers to the physical barriers, shields, or other devices used to protect workers from the hazardous energy sources of machinery.

Many injuries including the serve injures happens across the industries annually. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that approximately 18,000 employees or operators suffer injuries from machines annually. The injuries can range from small cuts and bruises to more severe injuries such as amputations, crushed limbs, and even fatalities. These accidents can occur when employees or operators come in contact with moving parts, rotating equipment, or other hazardous energy sources.

We need to prevent these accidents from happening, that is our primary goal of machine guarding. The use of machine guards can reduce the risk of injuries by creating a physical barrier between the worker and the hazardous energy source. These guards or physical barrier can prevent employees or operator from accidentally coming in contact with the moving parts of machinery and can also prevent objects from being ejected from machines, reducing the risk of projectile injuries.

Machine guarding not only protecting the employees or operator, it is also plays a critical role in preventing equipment damage. In some cases, machinery can be damaged when foreign objects get caught in the moving parts. These objects can cause the machine to malfunction, leading to unplanned breakdown and repair costs and resulting the lack of achievement of the production targets. Machine guards can prevent these incidents by keeping foreign objects away from the moving parts of the equipment and ensures the machines are in continuous operation for the production.

Machine Guarding - Types

There are many types of machine guards that can be used to protect employees or operators from hazardous energy sources. These guards can be classified into four primary categories:

Fixed Type Machine Guards: 

Fixed guards are permanent barriers that physically separate employees or operators from the hazardous energy source. These guards are usually made of metal or other durable materials and are bolted or welded to the machine area. Fixed guards are effective in preventing employees or operators from coming in contact with the moving parts of machinery but can also make maintenance and cleaning tasks more challenging since some parts of the machine may not be accessible for condition monitoring or any inspection and every time its need to remove & fixed again which takes extra time.

Interlocked Type Machine Guards: 

Interlocked guards are designed to shut off the machine when the guard is opened or removed. These guards are usually used in situations where workers need to access the hazardous energy source during maintenance or cleaning. Interlocked guards are effective in preventing accidental contact with the moving parts of the equipment.

Adjustable Type Machine Guards: 

Adjustable guards are designed to be easily moved or adjusted to accommodate different sizes of machinery or to allow employees or operators to access the hazardous energy source during maintenance or cleaning. These guards are typically made of lightweight materials and can be quickly removed when the equipment needs to be serviced.

Self Adjusting Type Machine Guards: Self adjusting guards are designed to move or adjust automatically as the machinery operates. These guards are effective in preventing accidental contact with the moving parts of the equipment and can also improve productivity by reducing the time required for maintenance and cleaning tasks. This is one of the effective machine guarding types.

Machine Guarding Best Practices

To ensure the effectiveness of machine guarding, it is essential to follow best practices when implementing these safety measures. Here are some best practices for machine guarding:

Conduct a hazard assessment: 

Before installing machine guards, conduct a hazard assessment to identify potential hazards and determine the appropriate type of guard needed to protect workers.

Install guards correctly: 

Ensure that machine guards are installed correctly and are securely attached to the equipment.

Conduct regular maintenance: 

Regular maintenance and inspections of machine guards are critical to ensure their effectiveness. Check guards regularly for damage or wear and replace them as necessary.

Train Employees: 

Train workers on the importance of machine guarding and how to use them correctly. Ensure that workers know how to inspect guards for damage and wear and understand the procedures for reporting any issues.

Review and update policies and procedures: Regularly review and update policies and procedures related to machine guarding to ensure that they are up to date with current industry standards and regulations.

Conclusion

Machine guarding is an essential aspect of workplace safety in industrial settings. By implementing proper machine guarding, employers can reduce the risk of injuries, equipment damage, and unplanned downtime. There are several types of machine guards available, including fixed guards, interlocked guards, adjustable guards, and self-adjusting guards. Each type of guard has its advantages and is suitable for different types of machinery and applications.

To ensure the effectiveness of machine guarding, employers must follow best practices, such as conducting hazard assessments, installing guards correctly, conducting regular maintenance, training workers, and reviewing and updating policies and procedures.

Machine guarding is an essential aspect of workplace safety that cannot be overlooked. By implementing proper machine guarding measures, employers can protect their workers, prevent equipment damage, and improve productivity. Investing in machine guarding is an investment in the safety and well-being of workers and the success of the business.