MACHINE GUARDING POLICY
AND PRACTICES
- Training Program -
PURPOSE OF POLICY
- Protect employees, contractors and visitors from
any machine related hazards such as:
* Point of Operation
* Rotating parts
* Flying chips
* Sparks
- Comply with related regulatory standards (OSHA)
Where Mechanical Hazards Occur
- The point of operation, or point where work is
performed on the material:
* Cutting, shaping, boring, forming
- Power transmission apparatus, or components
of mechanical system that transfer energy:
* Flywheels, cams, clutches, cranks
- Other moving parts, or parts that move while unit
is working: Feed mechanisms, auxiliary parts
-
Hazardous Mechanical Motions & Actions
- Rotating Motions
Smooth & rotating shafts, collars, flywheels, shaft ends,
spindles, couplings.
- In Running Nip Points
* Parts rotating in opposite directions or in close contact
* Rotating & tangentially moving parts (i.e. belt & pulley)
* Rotating & fixed parts, creating a shearing or crushing
action (i.e. spoked handwheels)
Hazard Motions & Actions (continued)
- Recipricating Motions
Back/Forth or Up/Down motions.
- Transverse Motion
Straight and continuous line.
- Cutting Motion
Involves machines with rotating, recipricating or transverse
motion (i.e. bandsaws, circular saws, lathes, milling devices).
Hazard Motions & Actions (continued)
- Punching Action
Danger where power applied to slide/ram for stamping or
drawing metal or other materials (i.e. power presses).
- Shearing Action
Power to slide or knife to trim or shear metal, wood, plastic,
etc. (i.e. mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic shears).
- Bending Action
Similiar danger to punching action (i.e. power presses, press
brakes, tubing benders).
Guarding Requirements
All guarding must meet these minimum requirements:
- Prevent accidental contact.
- Should be secure, not easy to remove or alter.
- Protect from falling objects.
- Create no new hazards.
- Create no interference with the job involved.
Guarding Requirements (continued)
Procedures and policies to be in place to support efforts:
- Description and identification of hazards with certain
machines.
- How guards provide protection and hazards for which they
are intended.
- How to use guards and why.
- How & when guards can be removed and by whom.
- What to do if guard is found damaged, missing or does not
provide enough protection.
CLASSIFICATION OF GUARDS
Toro Riverside has chosen to group guarding into
four classes:
GUARD DEFINITIONS
FIXED ENCLOSURE
- Primary guarding option.
- Prevents access by completely enclosing hazard.
- Can be constructed to be adjustable to various tools & dies.
However, once adjusted guard is to be fixed.
INTERLOCKING GUARD
- Utilize electrical or mechanical interlocking connection.
- Prevents operation until guard is in “closed” position.
- Can be opened to feed parts and adjusted as operation
requires.
GUARD DEFINITIONS CONTINUED
AUTOMATIC GUARD
- Used when enclosure or interlocking is inappropriate.
- Acts independently of operator, repeating cycle as long
as machine operates.
- Keeps body parts out of “danger zone” as it cycles.
- Example is a “sweep/push away” device or moving barrier.
TWO HANDED GUARD
- Activates the machine cycles, common to fixtures.
- Requires simultaneous use of both hands to activate device.
- Uses electrical switch buttons, air logic, computer logic, etc.
- Must be designed to prevent controls being “tied-down”.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Engineering controls are the FIRST choice for eliminating any
machine hazards. However, where they are not available or
can’t fully protect, personal protective equipment is used :
- Safety glasses, goggles, face shields
- Hearing Protection
- Hardhats, hairnets, caps
- Gloves, arm sleeves
- Coveralls, aprons, vests, body suits
- Toe covers, steel toed shoes
General Safety Rules
NEVER let overconfidence lead you to take unneeded risks.
Apply these simple rules with ANY machine or power tool:
- Keep work area well lit, dry and CLEAN
- Maintain tools properly at all times
- Use appropriate safety features (i.e. 3-prong plugs, safety
switches, double insulated tools)
- Use personal protective equipment when necessary
- Dress right. No loose clothing or jewelry worn
- Installation or repairs done by qualified staff ONLY!
- Use the right tool for the job
- Keep electric cables & cords clean, un-frayed
- MAKE SURE EQUIPMENT IS GROUNDED!!!
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Engineering/Tech Ops staff responsible to monitor
assembly guarding issues regarding:
- Existing equipment
- New equipment
- Maintenance Department monitors their dept’s
equipment and some others.
- Team Leader in area to work with Tech Staff to
assure guarding issues resolved prior to the
machinery released to production. Safety/Health
Manager to assist all parties in efforts.
- ALL OF US ARE RESPONSIBLE IN PREVENTION!!
WHAT CAN WE EACH DO TO
CONTRIBUTE?
- Follow the training procedures that you receive on use of
ANY piece of equipment. If unsure of any aspects of it’s
use, STOP and ask questions!!
- If you notice ANY problem, big or small, STOP and report
it to your Team Leader, Cell Leader or a Technician.
- DO NOT perform repairs on your own, get a Technician
involved to assess and correct the problem.
CONTRIBUTIONS CONTINUED. . .
- Recognize and celebrate each day’s accomplishments, no
matter what they are !!
- Look at not just how we do the tasks NOW, but how can
we do it better in the FUTURE.
- You each make a contribution to producing a quality
product and do so with SAFELY in mind.
- EACH DAY IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT, AN
IMPORTANT PART OF THE OVERALL JOURNEY
TO SUCCESS . . . . .
- LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES
AND CELEBRATE THEM !!
- ….. It’s as simple as saying, “Thank You”