Safeguards

Machines with moving parts and machines that could potentially send objects flying in the event of failure are dangerous and employers and employees must take proper precautions. Physical contact with or objects thrown from machines are responsible for serious injuries and death. Although safeguarding is not the only tool available to prevent incidents, it's an important one, and required by law.

Hazards associated with machinery include contact with:

• Moving parts
• Flying objects (fragment from an abrasive wheel)
• Electricity
• Heat or cold
• Gas or liquid under pressure
• Materials, chemicals or other substances

Common injuries from working with and around machinery include crushing, amputations, burns, lacerations and electric shock. This document only provides guidance on preventing injuries associated with contact with moving machinery or machine parts.

The main machine movements that can cause injuries include:

• Rotation - rotating parts of the machine creates nip points that can grip clothing, jewelry, appendages (hands, arms, feet, and legs), hair and other dangling objects. The item that is gripped can be dragged into the machine, causing further damage or severe injury. A lathe is an example of this type of machine.

• Sliding - motions that involve the movement of one part along a stationary part, or the movement of one part over another part that is moving in the opposite direction of the first part. These types of motions can entrap, cut, crush, or strike an individual. An example of this type of machine is a four-slide metal working machine.

• Shearing - motions involve the application of a force on an object perpendicular to its surface. If a force is applied perpendicularly, in two opposing directions at the same time, and in the same place on an object, the object will be cut (a similar action is cutting with scissors). An example of this type of machine is a die cutting machine.

• Crushing - occurs as a result of at least two objects moving in opposing directions toward one another, or one object moving toward a stationary object. An example of this type of machine is a mechanical break press.

• Punching - motions are used to create indentations or holes in materials. It typically involves the perpendicular movement of a small item onto the surface of a material. Both crush and shear injuries can also occur at these points of contact. An example of this type of machine is a punch press.

To protect employees from coming into contact with these movements and other harmful conditions, safeguards need to be in place or other controls must be taken. Safeguards can be in the form of:

• Barrier guards - physically prevent an employee from reaching around, over, under, and through the guard to the danger area. Fixed barrier guards are used when access to the danger area is not required during normal operation. When accessing the danger area during production, the barrier guard can be interlocked with the machine's control system. This interlock prevents the machine from moving while the guard is removed.
• Safeguarding devices - are designed to allow employees access to a danger zone, without having to remove physical guarding. These devices do not allow the machine to start operating, or they stop the machine from operating while an employee or part of an employee is in the danger zone. These types of controls include:
  • Presence-sensing devices - light curtains, pressure sensitive mats, and photoelectric devices.
  • Alternative operating modes - limit the machine movement or travel at a safe range or speed. This option is ideal for machine set-ups or die changes.
  • Emergency stop devices - sense when an operator is or has entered the danger zone and immediately stops the machine cycle.
  • Placement of Controls - by placing controls in locations away from the danger zone, the employee is protected while the machine is operating. Controls that fall in this category include the “hold-to-run control”, “deadman”, or, “operator-maintained” control.
• Location - Control by location involves designing the machine so access to the machine's danger zones (moving parts) is eliminated during normal operation. Keep methods of access to the machine such as walkways, access platforms, or service ladders at a specific distance from the danger zone.
• Administrative controls - Control through training, supervision and procedures, including lockout procedures.

[Reference: WorkSafeBC: Safeguarding Machinery and Equipment: General Requirements]

As an employer, you must:

• Ensure machines are erected, installed, assembled, started, operated, used, handled, stored, stopped, serviced, tested, cleaned, adjusted, maintained, repaired and dismantled in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. [Reg. 91-191, S.235(1)]
• Ensure that the manufacturer's rated capacity or other limitation of operations of the machine are not exceeded. [Reg. 91-191, S.235(2)]
• Regularly inspect for defective machines and remove from service until repaired. [Reg. 91-191, S.236]
• Guard any pedal that is used to activate a control device on a machine. [Reg. 91-191, S.237(2)]
• Provide sufficient space around a machine when it is in operation or when employees do the cleaning, maintenance, adjustments, or repairs. [Reg. 91-191, S.241(1)]
• Provide adequate safeguards to protect employees from contacting moving parts of the machinery except when the machine is equipped with a device that stops the machine automatically before an employee comes into contact with a moving part. [Reg. 91-191, S.242(1) to (2)]
• Provide a safeguard strong enough to contain or deflect any flying object. [Reg. 91-191, S.242(3)]
• Ensure that a safeguard that interlocks with the machinery controls is not altered to prevent its operation. [Reg. 91-191, S.242(4)]
• Physically modify the machine when it has been determined that an adequate safeguard is not possible, or develop a safe work procedure to protect employees. [Reg. 91-191, S.242(5)]
• Never allow anyone to remove or render ineffective a safeguard for a machine unless it is necessary to enable cleaning, maintenance, adjustment or repair. [Reg. 91-191, S.243(1)]
• Ensure that an abrasive wheel is checked for flaws before being installed, fitted with a protective hood of sufficient strength, and mounted in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. [Reg. 91-191 S.244(2)]
• Use abrasive wheels as recommended by the manufacturer's specifications.
• Ensure gears and sprockets are completely enclosed or enclosed on exposed sides if there is a hazard from exposed spokes. [Reg. 91-191, S.249]
• Guard with casting that completely encloses the shaft any exposed parts of a permanently installed shaft that is within 2.1 m of an access point.
• Guard with a non-rotating cap or safety sleeve any shaft ends that project more than half their diameter.

While the employer is ultimately responsible for all the provisions mentioned above, the supervisor has a vital role to play in the safety of their teams. As a supervisor, you must:

• Acquaint your employees with the hazards and control measures associated with their work
• Provide the information and instruction necessary to ensure their health and safety
• Enforce company safety rules, programs, codes of practice and procedures, including ensuring employees comply with the requirements below.

As an employee, you must:

• Wear close fitting clothing, confine or cut head and facial hair, and not wear jewellery, rings, dangling neckwear or similar items around moving machinery parts. [Reg. 91-191, S.241(2)]
• Not exceed the manufacturer's rated capacity or other limitations of the machine. [Reg. 91-191, S.235(3)]
• Never remove or render ineffective a safeguard for a machine unless it is necessary to enable cleaning, maintenance, adjustment or repair. [Reg. 91-191, S.243(1)]
• When you remove or render ineffective a safeguard, replace the safeguard and ensure it is functioning properly before leaving the machine. [Reg. 91-191, S.243(2)]
• Put the machine in a zero energy state and lockout or follow the code of practice before removing or rendering ineffective the safeguard if you cannot directly control the machine. [Reg. 91-191, S.243(3)]
• Never operate abrasive wheels at a speed exceeding the manufacturer's specifications. [Reg. 91-191, S.244(5)(a)]
• Not grind on the side of an abrasive wheel unless the wheel is designed for that purpose. [Reg. 91-191, S.244(5)(b)]
• Not adjust a tool rest while an abrasive wheel is in motion. [Reg. 91-191, S.244(5)(c)]
• Report to the employer or supervisor any safeguarding hazards. [OHS Act. S.12(c)]