You’ve likely heard stories of workers removing machine guards so that they can do their jobs faster. That is a huge mistake and one that has cost many workers their lives, their limbs, and their livelihoods. Employers have also been hit with huge fines for allowing workers to remove machine guards.
Machine guards are not there to slow you down. They are there to protect you from the moving parts of the equipment. These are the parts that can grab your hair, clothing, and body parts. Guards can also protect you from getting cut or burned.
Machine guards are seen in pretty much every industry as a way to protect workers from making contact with rotating parts, cutting surfaces, pinch points, and flying sparks or debris.
Some examples of machine guards are:
- “dead-man switches” that require users to hold down a certain button for the machine to work. Never rig these to stay on automatically!
- Barriers that prevent you from reaching moving parts- such as chain guards or blade covers. Always use LOTO before removing a barrier!
- Automatic Sensors that shut off the equipment when someone enters the area. Many times this requires a manual reset\restart of the equipment.
- Automatic guards that respond when they make contact with body parts.
- Mesh grills or plastic covers that prevent you from sticking your hands where they don’t belong.
Machine guards are there to protect you. Never remove them. Always use LOTO if repairs need to be made to the equipment.
Make sure you are working safely around equipment. Keep your long hair secured and make sure your clothes fits properly. There are a ton of videos online showing what can happen if your clothes or hair gets caught in the machine.
It only takes one bad decision- one second of your life- before you’re immortalized in a video forever.
The machine guards are installed for your protection but the best guard for your safety is you. Make sure you use proper safety awareness and develop safe work habits. Don’t work on any machines that have broken or missing guards. Report unguarded equipment to your supervisor immediately.
Guard yourself from injury!
That’s it for now. Until next time – Safety First!