Are Your Machines Safe or Unsafe? The answer is usually somewhere between the two choices. By their nature, machines can be dangerous even when used in a proper manner. Many manufacturers continue to build and sell their tools without the necessary safeguards and electrical controls required by OSHA and various safety regulations. Our experience shows that improper guarding can slow down production and create a safety hazard. This article is an introduction to machine safeguarding. The reader can download a free, simple survey that will allow them to check for common machine guarding violations including improper point of operation protection and incorrect motor controls. Do you know what an accident can cost you? A single accident can mess up your finances for years. Money set aside for a new car or vacation is spent on doctor bills. You may be off work for months or unable to return at all. You will spend your free time battling your insurance company to get a fair settlement. If the accident happens at work, a legal judgment against an employer can easily bankrupt an otherwise healthy company. Why Install Machine Guards? Simply stated, so you do not get hurt or hurt anyone around you. Machine use can be dangerous, even when you are careful. Unfortunately, not every machine will perform the intended function without posing an injury hazard to the operator. By installing machine guards at work, an employer can save money by reducing insurance rates, increasing productivity and protecting employees. Machine manufacturers are not required to provide motor controllers and safeguarding equipment that meets OSHA standards. OSHA requires that you the employer make sure all of the machines in the workplace comply with relevant regulations. How do I know if my machines comply with current safety standards? Most machine hazards occur in three main places. The point of operation, (where a blade cuts a piece of wood), power transmission, (belt and pulleys) and power controllers. Just download the free machine survey at http://www.lovegreen.com/safety_survey and find out quickly. Following the survey will help you uncover the most common safety problems with woodworking and metal working machines. For example, if you have a drill press, the page on drill presses lists the most common areas that need attention. Answer each question either yes or no to determine if safeguarding is required. What do I do if I uncover a problem? A machine's safeguarding is usually neither safe nor unsafe, but somewhere in between. Your job is to find ways to manage the risk and provide a safe and healthful working environment. Sometimes the fix is as simple as installing a panel over the hazard with tamper proof hardware. In most cases, the safety risk cannot be eliminated so it must be managed. This is accomplished by guarding the hazard with physical barriers and electronic devices. Barriers and shields are used to reduce the level of risk and probability of an accident. If you do find a problem that you do not know how to fix you can we can help you decide on how to safeguard your machine so that it complies with relevant standards.
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