Which machines need guarding? OSHA has stated a useful rule of thumb for this question. “Any machine part, function, or process which may cause injury must be safeguarded.”
Whenever operation of a machine or any activity in its vicinity poses the risk of injury to workers, safety mechanisms must be put in place. OSHA has prepared detailed guidelines that are very useful in identifying as well as rectifying any errors and loopholes in industrial machinery. We’ll be discussing these factors as well as a solution that can help tackle this problem, for good.
Mechanical Hotspots
OSHA states that mechanical hazards are most likely to occur in three major areas:
There are several mechanical motions that pose risks to workers. These include moving belts, arms, cutting teeth, meshing gear and so on.
The motions may be classified in terms of:
In addition, actions such as cutting, punching and bending pose significant threat to operators and nearby workers.
Requirements for Safeguards
OSHA has set out a few general requirements that a safeguard must meet in order to ensure maximum protection.
The safeguarding system must have the following features:
Non-mechanical hazards
In addition to the mechanical risks posed by moving machinery, there are plenty of non-mechanical hazards as well that may injure workers.
These include, but are not limited to:
Almost all of an industry’s machinery is driven by electrical power, in one way or the other. The equipment therefore poses a shock-risk, which may prove fatal. Therefore, effective grounding should be in place, or the safeguarding must ensure complete isolation during operation.
Machines often produce noise, which may become unbearable after a certain amount of time. Noise can not only disrupt concentration, but it can also have harmful effects such as nausea, fatigue and reduced muscle control. It is therefore stated that ear plugs and muffs should be provided for adequate hearing protection.
Many machines require frequent maintenance operations such as cutting fluids, coolants, etc. Exposure to these chemicals may cause diseases & illnesses. Therefore, specially constructed safeguards, ventilation systems and protective clothing should be offered to workers.
Safeguarding Mechanism
It can be concluded from the above-mentioned rules that an effective guarding system must be in place, one that is durable, reliable and covers all vulnerable spots. Husky Rack & Wire provides the optimum guarding enclosure fit for guaranteeing safety of workers. The highlights of their product are:
The guarding is available in either 6ft. or 8ft. panels, whereas other dimensions may be ordered as well. The panels can be stacked, one over the other, which allows safeguarding machines irrespective of their size. Each panel has connectors that bind the vertical framing members strongly. However, if needed, these connectors can be removed easily for modifications.
In addition, the wire mesh is capable of withstanding almost all kinds of tampering, whereas the line posts are universally pinched to make them compatible with all types of panels and doors.
Most importantly, Husky’s guarding hardware strictly follows OSHA’s rules and regulations, making it an ideal choice for heavy-duty sites.
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