MACHINE SAFETY

 

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·        GUARDING

Ø      Requirement

Ø      Design

·        MACHINE OPERATION

·        OPERATING CONTROLS

·        PHYSICAL HAZARDS

·        LOCKOUT

Ø      Procedure

Ø      Locks not required

 

GUARDING

Requirement

Any machine or transmission equipment that has an exposed moving part that may endanger the safety of any worker, must be equipped with, and be guarded by, a guard or other device that prevents access to the moving part.

 

An in-running nip hazard or any part of a machine, device or thing that may endanger the safety of any worker shall be equipped with and guarded by a guard or other device that prevents access to the pinch point. (Industrial Establishment Regulation 851/90, 24 – 25)

 

Design

A machine shall be shielded or guarded so that the product, material being processed or waste stock will not endanger the safety of any worker. (Industrial Establishment Regulation 851/90, 26)

 

MACHINE OPERATION

Workers having long hair that could become entangled with moving parts must confine their hair. Machine operators may not wear jewelry or clothing that could become entangled. (Industrial Establishment Regulation 851/90, 83)

 

OPERATING CONTROLS

Emergency stops (e-stops) must be conspicuously identified and located within the easy reach of the operator.

 

Operating controls that act as a guard for a machine that is not otherwise guarded, must be located so their operation doesn’t endanger the worker and can’t be operated accidentally. (Industrial Establishment Regulation 851/90, 27 - 28)

 

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

Maintain a safe clearance around moving equipment to ensure worker safety. (Industrial Establishment Regulation 851/90, 12)

 

LOCKOUT

Control switches and other control mechanisms must be locked out in circumstances where the start-up of machinery or other devices may endanger a worker’s safety.

 

A part of a machine or equipment may be cleaned, oiled, adjusted, repaired or have maintenance work performed on it only when,  (a) motion that may endanger a worker has stopped; and (b) any part that has been stopped and that could subsequently move and endanger a worker has been blocked to prevent its movement. (Industrial Establishment Regulation 851/90, 75 - 76)

 

Procedure

The power supply for equipment must be disconnected, locked out and tagged before any work is done near live exposed parts. The Worker must ensure that power is locked out.

 

The employer must establish and implement written lockout procedures. (Industrial Establishment Regulation 851/90, 42)

 

Locks not required

Lockout is not required if electrical conductors are adequately grounded with a visible grounding mechanism. Additionally, lockout is not required if the voltage is less than 300 volts, there is no lock for the circuit breakers or fuses, AND procedures are in place to ensure that the circuit is not inadvertently energized. (Industrial Establishment Regulation 851/90, 42)

 

 

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