OSHA machine guarding is a set of occupational safety and health regulations that covers the protection of workers from injuries caused by machines. Machine guarding includes fences, barriers, shields, or guards to protect operators and other employees from contact with moving parts or sparks.
According to OSHA machine guarding the operator and other employees in the machine area must be protected from risks such as point of operation, ingoing nip points, spinning parts, flying chips, and sparks using one or more types of machine guarding.
Each employer is responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for his employees. He is also responsible for complying with all applicable safety and health standards. Employees are required to comply with all applicable standards, rules, regulations, and orders as well.
What does OSHA stand for?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created in 1970 to ensure safe working conditions for American workers. OSHA sets standards for workplace safety, provides training and education on healthy work practices, and investigates workplace accidents. In addition, OSHA has the power to issue citations and fines to companies that do not comply with its regulations. OSHA actually comes into existence largely as a result of America’s industrialization during the late 19th century.
What are the requirements of OSHA machine guarding?
Employers have the responsibility of providing the safest possible work environment for their employees. Employees are responsible for following all safety rules and regulations that apply to their job. Employers are also required to provide, at no cost to the employee, appropriate personal protective equipment,] in environments where there is a danger of injury.
OSHA standards are rules that describe the methods that employers must use to protect their employees from injuries and illnesses. Each standard contains general provisions that describe definitions, scope, and responsibilities of the employer and employees; the specific requirements for protecting employees from workplace hazards; and a means for employers to monitor progress and maintain compliance with the standard.
The employer may not require, tolerate or accept the employee’s exposure to an existing hazard and must, therefore, provide the employee with a safe place to do the work. Moreover, the employer must comply with every applicable standard that applies to his own operations and to the performance of his employees, including those standards in Industry Standards. The same obligations are imposed on each employee.
Which of the following machine parts always require guards OSHA?
Power transmission with flywheels, shafting, belts, pulleys, chain drives, and other components, less than 7 feet from the floor or working platform must be guarded.
During the operation of a machine, several components move around. Amputations, blindness, crushed hands or fingers, and burns can all result from these moving pieces in the job. Protecting workers from these avoidable injuries necessitates the use of safeguards.
Whether the machine is used in a workroom or in the field, guards must be provided for all: (1) point of operation areas; (2) gears, sprockets, and chain drives; (3) flywheels; (4) shafting; (5) belts, pulleys, and line shafts. Guards must also protect personnel from coming into contact with hazardous parts such as gears and drives, flywheels, etc. When this is not possible, the guard must prevent contact by placing the part behind a fixed barrier or keeping it at a distance through some other positive means.
