MACHINE SAFETY

 

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·       PROVIDE SAFE EQUIPMENT

·       GUARD

Ø    Requirement

·       MACHINE OPERATION

·       OPERATING CONTROLS

·       LOCKOUT

Ø    Procedure

Ø    Lock removal

Ø    Worker responsibilities

 

PROVIDE SAFE EQUIPMENT

Equipment requiring approval must have the identification mark of the approving agency affixed. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 24)  

 

The employer must maintain equipment to ensure that it is safe. When a defect is found, the health and safety of the worker must be protected until the defect is fixed. Equipment must be fixed by a competent person as soon as practicable. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 25)  

 

GUARDING

Requirement

Where a worker may contact a dangerous moving part, a pinch point, a flame, a surface that exceeds 80oC, or a surface colder than –80oC an effective safeguard must be provided. The safeguard must remain in place at all times. A safeguard is not required when a safety device stops the machine before contact.

 

A guard that is removed for maintenance must be replaced before a worker operates the machine. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 137)

 

MACHINE OPERATION

The employer must ensure that machines are only operated by a competent worker, that workers are informed of the risk and trained in safe use. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 134)

 

OPERATING CONTROLS

The employer must ensure that operating controls are within easy reach and cannot be activated accidentally.

A stopping device must be located in direct view and within easy reach of the operator. A stop must be readily identified. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 135)

 

If a worker may be endangered by a machine startup and the operator does not have clear view of all areas of machine, an audible alarm or visual signal must warn of machine startup. There must also be warning signs at each place where a machine starts automatically. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 138)

 

LOCKOUT

If the maintenance, repair, or adjustment of a machine may put a worker at risk, the machine must be locked out and remain locked out for the duration of the work. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 139)

 

Procedure

A written lock out procedure must be provided to each worker required to work on a machine. When the lock out procedure uses a lock, the worker must be issued a lock with only one duplicate key. When the lock out process does not use a lock, a person must be designated to coordinate the process. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 139)

 

If a machine requires cleaning, lubrication or adjustment while in motion, the employer must develop work practices and procedures to ensure safe work. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 140)

 

Lock removal

No person may remove the lock out device except the person who installed it or the designated person.

 

The designated person must keep the duplicate key and ensure that it is available only to the worker. The designated person with the duplicate key may remove the lock if it is determined why the worker key is not available, it is determined safe to remove the lock and start the machine, and the JHSC co-chair or representative is informed of its use prior.

 

A logbook must be used to record the use of the duplicate key and reasons for its use. The designated person must record the reason for use, and date and sign the book on each use.

(Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 139)

 

Worker responsibilities

Before performing any maintenance, repairs, adjustments, or other work, the worker must lockout the machine. After locking out, the worker must check that the machine is inoperative. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 139)

             

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