In response to the obvious risks associated with worksite machinery, OSHA created Standard 1910.212. This standard regulates what types of machine guarding are required for the many types of machines in use today. Any guards used should not, in themselves, be hazardous.

The types of hazards which must be guarded against are: “those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks,” among others. So what you need to keep in mind when ensuring you have effective guards in place, is that the regulation covers a lot of territory.

Any machine guarding used in your facility should be attached to the machine, when at all possible. This ensures the best protection for employees. When it is impossible to affix the guarding to the machine, then it is to be secured elsewhere.

The most common machines which require point of operation guarding are as follows: guillotine cutters, shears, alligator shears, power presses, milling machines, power saws, and jointers. If your facility uses any of these devices and you do not have a specific plan in place for their guarding, consider hiring a professional consulting firm to help you. The first step to consider is a full third party audit to ensure there are no other potential issues with your safety plan.

If you have any questions about machine guards, and when you need them, please contact us so that we can help. If you have anything to add about the importance of utilizing machine guards, please leave a comment.