MACHINE SAFETY

 

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·       MACHINE DESIGN

·       MACHINE OPERATION

·       OPERATING CONTROLS

·       CLOTHING

·       LOCKOUT

Ø    Procedure

Ø    Lock removal

Ø    Group lockout

 

MACHINE DESIGN

Employer must ensure equipment is of sufficient size, strength and design to withstand operation and can perform its intended function. Employer must ensure that rated capacity is not exceeded, that modifications are performed in accordance with manufacturer’s or professional engineer’s instructions, and that equipment is installed, maintained and repaired according to manufacturer’s or professional engineer’s specifications.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 12)

 

MACHINE OPERATION

The employer must ensure that a worker is not in danger because the machines are close to each other. (Occupational Health and Safety Code, 363)

 

The employer must ensure that an alarm system is installed if a machine operator does not have a clear view of the machine from the control panel and moving machine parts may endanger workers.

 

Before starting machinery, the operator must ensure that starting the machinery will not endanger the operator or another worker. While operating machinery, the operator must ensure that its operation will not endanger another worker.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 367)

 

OPERATING CONTROLS

The employer must ensure that an operational control on equipment is designed, located or protected to prevent unintentional activation and is suitably identified to indicate the nature or function of the control. (Occupational Health and Safety Code, 368)

 

CLOTHING

If contact between moving parts and a worker’s clothing is likely, the employer must ensure that the worker’s clothing fits closely to the body, the worker does not wear jewelry, the worker’s head and facial hair is short or confined.

 

If contact between moving parts and a worker’s clothing is likely, the worker must wear clothing that fits closely to the body, not wear jewelry, and confine head and facial hair.

 

A worker may wear a medical alert bracelet with a breakaway band.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 362)

 

LOCKOUT

If equipment is to be serviced or repaired, the employer must ensure no worker works on the equipment until it has come to a complete stop and a worker has locked out the equipment and removed any hazardous conditions or otherwise made the equipment inoperative such that it provides equal protection.

 

The employer must ensure that the lock used has a unique mark that identifies the worker to whom it is assigned.

 

The worker must not perform work until the equipment is tested to ensure it is inoperative and the worker is assured it is inoperative.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 212)

 

Procedure

The employer must develop and implement procedures and controls that ensure the equipment is serviced safely if the manufacturer’s specifications require the equipment to remain operative when it is serviced. (Occupational Health and Safety Code, 212)

 

Lock removal

Only the worker that installed a lock may remove it from equipment.

 

In an emergency, or if the worker who installed it is not available, a competent worker may remove the lock.

 

A worker must not remove the lock until the worker ensures that no workers will be in danger if it is removed.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 215)

 

Group lockout

If a group lockout procedure is used, the employer must designate a competent worker as responsible for locking out the energy isolating devices, securing the keys to a key securing system such as a lock box and completing, signing and posting a checklist that identifies the equipment covered by the lockout.

 

Each worker must apply a personal lock to the key securing system before working on the equipment and remove the personal lock after completing work.

 

When all personal locks are removed from the key securing system, the competent worker must ensure that it is safe to end the group lockout.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 213)

 

 

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