Machine Guarding And Pinch Points Training

When used properly, various types of machine guarding and safety devices allow machine operators to perform the jobs safely and efficiently; unfortunately, many operators choose to cheat, defeat or override these types of safety devices, often resulting in severe injury and death.

This is why operators have a responsibility to respect the power of their equipment and the hazards it can present. This responsibility includes understanding the hazards presented by the specific equipment in their work area and following the necessary precautions and safe work practices required to prevent injury.

This program explains these hazards and discussed how injuries can be avoided through the proper use of machine guarding, safety devices and safe work practices.

The purpose of machine guarding is to protect the machine operator and other employees in the work area from hazards created by ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Some examples of this are barrier guards, light curtains, two-hand operating devices etc.

• You must be trained and authorized to operate each machine you intend to use. Attempting to operate tools equipment or machines with which you are not familiar can quickly lead to an injury.
• Safe machine operation requires your undivided attention. You simply cannot allow distractions to cause you to lose focus on your work. It only takes a brief moment of inattention for an injury to occur.
• Operators must always practice good housekeeping. For example, eliminating excess materials and debris from near the point of operation can help prevent flying debris hazards and keeping walkways and work areas clear of tripping
• Hazards can prevent a trip or fall, which can be very dangerous near running machinery.
• Be aware that long hair, loose clothing and jewelry should be not be worn around any type of moving machinery or equipment.
• These types of items can easily get past a guard and into the moving parts of running equipment, where they can easily become entangled and pull you into the machine’s action or quickly amputate a finger or detach a scalp.
• Be aware that gloves can also become an entanglement hazard and should not be worn when operating machinery unless the material being handled is sharp and presents a greater hazard. Check with your supervisor before wearing gloves near any moving equipment.
• Always maintain an awareness of where you are placing your hands and avoid placing them near the point of operation or any type of in-running nip point or material feed.
• Whenever possible, use push sticks or other approved tools to feed material or retrieve parts from the machine.
• Always guard against complacency. Don’t allow the routine nature of certain tasks to lull you into a false sense of security around machine hazards.