What are the two types of machine guarding?

Manufacturers design machines to safeguard operators from hazardous parts. Despite these efforts, machines cause over 18,000 injuries annually in the United States, including amputations, lacerations, and crushing injuries. Unsafe operation or improper maintenance often contributes to these injuries. Machine guards, or barriers between the operator and dangerous parts, are a commonly used strategy to improve tool safety.

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Types of Machine Guards

Machine guards come in various forms to prevent direct contact with moving parts and other dangers. Some also protect workers from shavings, flying debris, or sparks. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates guarding any machine part that could cause injury. The design and material vary across different machines and tools. The most common types of machine guards are:

• Fixed guards
• Interlocking guards
• Adjustable guards
• Self-adjusting guards

Fixed Guards

Fixed guards are permanently attached to a machine or tool, featuring no moving parts, and cannot be moved while the machine is in use. They commonly enclose the point of operation or other significant hazards like fan blades or flywheels. Because fixed guards are permanent, they must be disassembled for any adjustments or maintenance work.

Adjustable Guards

Similar to fixed guards, adjustable guards are permanent but can be manually adjusted to handle different material sizes. Operators must be trained on their correct use because failure to properly adjust or lock them can lead to injury.

Self-Adjusting Guards

Self-adjusting guards serve the same purpose as adjustable guards but automatically adapt to the material's size. When the machine is at rest, these guards sit fully down. When the machine is in use, material fed into the machine opens the guard just enough to allow entry. These guards are common on table saws and woodworking tools.

Interlocking Guards

Also known as barrier guards, interlocking guards automatically shut off or disengage the power source when opened or removed. These are especially useful when operators need regular access to the guarded parts, such as when clearing jams. They allow access without total disassembly of the machine but require careful adjustment and maintenance, as they can be easily opened accidentally.

General Safety Precautions

Proper training is crucial for employees before they operate machines or power tools. Employees must never operate machinery without prior training. Employees must:

• Inspect all tools and guards before each use
• Follow all proper lockout/tag-out procedures
• Use proper procedures when setting up, adjusting, clearing jams, and cleaning or lubricating parts
• Never remove guards while operating a machine
• Tag all damaged guards and machinery “Do Not Use” and report them immediately

Summary

Most machine-related injuries are preventable. To ensure a safe workplace and avoid costly injuries and lawsuits, provide proper training and maintain regular upkeep of machinery and guards. Instruct employees never to remove machine guards while operating a machine.

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Types of Machine Safeguarding: Important Items to Know

Machines have both mechanical and non-mechanical parts that can cause injuries, ranging from minor abrasions to severe accidents like lacerations, fractures, and amputations. Installing adequate safeguards is essential to prevent such incidents.

Choosing appropriate types of machine safeguarding can be challenging. Here, we discuss 5 types of machine safeguards and the parts of a machine that must be guarded, ensuring you pick the most effective and practical method.

1. Guards

Guards are physical barriers designed to prevent direct contact between workers and dangerous machine parts. Lock fasteners, bolts, and screws typically secure guards, which often don't obstruct the machine operator’s view.

Common types are fence guards, gate guards, and door guards.

General Classifications of Machine Guards

There are four general types of guards:

Fixed Guards – Permanent guards that can’t be moved and don’t consist of moving parts. Fixed guards need to be disassembled for maintenance.
Adjustable Guards – Permanent barriers that can be manually adjusted and locked to handle different material sizes. Employees must be well-trained to ensure proper adjustment.
Self-Adjusting Guards – Automatically adjust based on the material size.
Interlocking Guards – Barrier guards that shut off power and stop moving parts when opened.

2. Devices

These safety devices can:

• Stop machinery if a body part enters the hazard area.
• Create a barrier that synchronizes with the machine's operating cycle.
• Require the use of both hands for control, ensuring body and hand safety.
• Withdraw or restrain hands during machine operations.

Types of Devices

Devices use different controls or sensors to limit risk exposure:

• Photoelectric: Uses light sources to stop operation when interrupted.
• Radiofrequency: Uses capacitance fields to stop machinery when interrupted.
• Electromechanical: Uses a probe/bar that descends when a cycle is initiated, stopping if obstructed.
• Pullback: Cables pull the operator’s arms away when the machine starts.
• Restraint or Hold-Back: Straps or cables restrict movement within a safe area.
• Safety Trip Controls: Pressure-sensitive bars stop the machine when pressure is applied.
• Two-Hand Control: Requires both hands on control buttons to start the machine.
• Two-Hand Trip: Similar to Two-Hand Control, used for machines with full-revolution clutches.
• Gate: Creates a movable barrier to protect before machine operation.

3. Machine Location/Distance

Positioning machines and their hazardous parts away from the operator or working area can prevent accidents. Inaccessibility to dangerous parts during operation is key.

4. Automated Feeding & Ejection Methods

Automating feeding and ejection methods enhances protection by removing the operator’s involvement in hazardous areas. Robots can load, unload, transfer objects, and perform tasks in high-production environments.

5. Miscellaneous Aids

Though not providing complete protection, miscellaneous aids can enhance safety:

• Awareness barriers to warn workers about hazards.
• Protective shields to contain flying debris.
• Hand-feeding tools for safe material handling.

Factors That Affect the Type of Machine Safeguard You Should Install

The safeguard type and design depend on:

• Machine operation type
• Stock size, shape, and material
• Handling method
• Work area layout
• Production requirements

Types of Hazards: Which Parts of a Machine Must Be Guarded?

Identifying hazards is crucial for workspace safety. Here are the main hazardous mechanical motions and actions:

Hazardous Motions

• Rotating Motions: Can grip clothes and force arms into dangerous positions.
• Reciprocating Motions: Up-and-down or back-and-forth actions that can hit or catch a person.
• Transversing Motions: Straight-line movements that can hit or catch a person.
• In-Running Nip Points: Caused by meshed gears, calendars, and rotating parts.

Hazardous Actions

• Cutting Actions: Rotating, transversing, or reciprocating motions that could cause injuries.
• Punching Actions: Actions involving power application for stamping, drawing, or blanking stocks.
• Bending Actions: Similar to punching actions but for stamping or drawing.
• Shearing: Dangers in areas where stocks are inserted, held, and withdrawn.

Review more on specific machine hazards and safeguarding here. For a comprehensive discussion on machine safeguarding, refer to this guide.

FAQs

What are the two types of primary safeguarding methods by OSHA?

The primary methods are guards and devices, greatly reducing or preventing amputation injuries.

What are the three basic areas of a machine that require safeguarding?

OSHA specifies three fundamental areas:

• 1. Point of Operation: Where any work is done, such as cutting or shaping.
• 2. Power Transmission Components: Any part that transfers energy like pulleys, belts, and gears.
• 3. Operating Controls: Any part that moves, including rotating parts and feed mechanisms.

Safeguarding requirements differ based on the operator’s involvement and machine characteristics.

How many methods of machine guarding are there?

There are five main categories: guards, devices, by location or distance, ejection and feeding methods, and miscellaneous aids.

Understand Your Machine's Safeguarding Needs Better With Expert Assistance

Improperly installed safeguards can create new hazards and fail to protect workers. Expert technicians at RPF Environmental offer evaluations and guidance to help you operate safely. We have assisted numerous clients across New England and the country.

Contact us for more details!

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