MACHINE GUARDING

OSHA 1910, SUBPART O

INTRODUCTION
This course covers OSHAs machine
guarding requirements. We will begin with a
discussion of the general principles of
machine guarding. Next, we will cover some
of the requirements of OSHAs machine
guarding regulations. We will examine
moving parts, hazardous motions, and types
of machine guarding. We will look at some
important OSHA directives for specific
machine guarding issues. Finally, we will
look at OSHAs new initiative to reduce and
eliminate hazards on machines that cause,
or are likely to cause, amputations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Understand the basics of machine

guarding, where hazards occur,
hazardous machine motions, machine
actions, requirements for safeguards,
and employee training.

Learn what OSHA machine guarding

requirements are including general
requirements for all machines,
woodworking machines, abrasive wheel
machinery, mechanical power presses,
and mechanical power-transmission
apparatus.

Learn what types of safeguards are

available, and what their common
applications are.

KEY TERMS

The point of operation

where work is performed on material, such as
cutting, shaping, boring, or forming of stock

Power transmission apparatus:

all components of the mechanical system which
transmit energy to the part of the machine
performing the work. These components
include flywheels, pulleys, belts, connecting
rods, couplings, cams, spindles, chains, cranks,
and gears.

Push stick:
means a narrow strip of wood or other soft
material with a notch cut into one end and
which is used to push short pieces of material
through saws.

KEY TERMS

Abrasive wheel:
means a cutting tool consisting of abrasive grains
held together by organic or inorganic bonds.
Diamond and reinforced wheels are included.

Inorganic wheels:
means wheels which are bonded by means of
inorganic material such as clay, glass, porcelain,
sodium silicate, magnesium oxychloride, or
metal. Wheels bonded with clay, glass, porcelain,
or related ceramic materials are characterized as
"vitrified bonded wheels.

Bolster plate:
means the plate attached to the top of the bed of
the press having drilled holes or T-slots for
attaching the lower die or die shoe.

KEY TERMS

Pinch point:
means any point other than the point of
operation at which it is possible for a part of the
body to be caught between the moving parts of
a press or auxiliary equipment

Press:
means a mechanically powered machine that
shears, punches, forms or assembles metal or
other material by means of cutting, shaping, or
combination dies attached to slides.

Slide:
means the main reciprocating press member. A
slide is also called a ram, plunger, or platen.

LESSON 1

PRINCIPLES OF
MACHINE GUARDING
This lesson focuses on the following topics:

Principles of machine guarding

Hazardous motions and actions

Requirements of safeguarding

Employee training

LESSON 1

PRINCIPLES OF
MACHINE GUARDING
Crushed hands and arms, severed fingers,
blindness -- the list of possible machinery-related
injuries is as long as it is horrifying.
There seem to be as many hazards created by
moving machine parts as there are types of
machines. Safety guards are essential for
protecting workers from needless and
preventable injuries.
This man lost his finger when a machine in a
foundry cut it off. There was no safety guard in
place, as required by federal law, to keep his
hand out of the point of operation.

LESSON 1

PRINCIPLES OF MACHINE
GUARDING
Where Mechanical Hazards Occur
Dangerous moving parts require safeguarding. Scroll over each area to find
out more about:
The point of operation
Power transmission apparatus
Other moving parts

LESSON 1

PRINCIPLES OF
MACHINE GUARDING
The point of operation:
that point where work is performed on the material, such as cutting, shaping,
boring, or forming of stock.
Power transmission apparatus:
all components of the mechanical system which transmit energy to the part
of the machine performing the work. These components include flywheels,
pulleys, belts, connecting rods, couplings, cams, spindles, chains, cranks,
and gears.
Other moving parts:
all parts of the machine that move while the machine is working. These can
include reciprocating, rotating, and transverse moving parts, as well as feed
mechanisms and auxiliary parts of the machine.

LESSON 1

HAZARDOUS MOTIONS
AND ACTIONS
A variety of mechanical motions and actions may present hazards to the
worker. These can include the movement of rotating members, reciprocating
arms, moving belts, meshing gears, cutting teeth, and any parts that impact
or shear. The basic types of hazardous mechanical motions and actions are
the following:
Motions
rotating (including in-running nip points)
reciprocating
transversing

LESSON 1

HAZARDOUS MOTIONS
AND ACTIONS
Actions
Cutting
Punching
shearing
bending

LESSON 1

HAZARDOUS MOTIONS
AND ACTIONS
Motions
Rotating motion can be dangerous. Even
smooth, slowly rotating shafts can grip clothing,
and through mere skin contact, force an arm or
hand into a dangerous position. Some examples
of common rotating mechanisms which may be
hazardous are:

Collars
Couplings
Cams
Clutches
Flywheels

LESSON 1

HAZARDOUS MOTIONS
AND ACTIONS

Shaft ends
Spindles
Meshing gears
Horizontal or vertical shafting

The danger increases when projections such as

set screws, bolts, nicks, abrasions, and
projecting keys are exposed on rotating parts.

LESSON 1

HAZARDOUS MOTIONS
AND ACTIONS
Nip Points
Nip points are also created between rotating and
tangentially moving parts. Some examples would
be: the point of contact between a power
transmission belt and its pulley, a chain and a
sprocket, and a rack and pinion
Nip points can also occur between rotating and
fixed parts which create a shearing, crushing, or
abrading action. Examples are: spooked handwheels or flywheels, screw conveyors, or the
periphery of an abrasive wheel and an incorrectly
adjusted work rest.

Transverse motion (movement in a straight, continuous line) creates a

hazard because a worker may be struck or caught in a pinch or shear point
by the moving part.

LESSON 1

HAZARDOUS MOTIONS
AND ACTIONS
Cutting Action
Cutting action may involve rotating,
reciprocating, or transverse motion. The danger
of cutting action exists at the point of operation
where finger, arm and body injuries can occur
and where flying chips or scrap material can
strike the head, particularly in the area of the
eyes or face. Such hazards are present at the
point of operation in cutting wood, metal, or other
materials.
Examples of mechanisms involving cutting
hazards include band saws, circular saws, boring
or drilling machines, turning machines (lathes),
or milling machines.

LESSON 1

HAZARDOUS MOTIONS
AND ACTIONS
Punching Action
Punching action results when power is applied to a slide (ram) for
blanking, drawing, or stamping metal or other materials. The danger of
this type of action occurs at the point of operation where stock is
inserted, held, and withdrawn by hand. Typical machines used for
punching operations are power presses.

LESSON 1

HAZARDOUS MOTIONS
AND ACTIONS
Shearing Action

Shearing action involves applying power

to a slide or knife in order to trim or shear
metal or other materials. A hazard occurs
at the point of operation where stock is
actually inserted, held, and withdrawn.
Examples of machines used for shearing
operations are mechanically, hydraulically,
or pneumatically powered shears.

LESSON 1

HAZARDOUS MOTIONS
AND ACTIONS
Bending Action

Bending action results when power is

applied to a slide in order to draw or
stamp metal or other materials. A
hazard occurs at the point of operation
where stock is inserted, held, and
withdrawn.
Equipment that uses bending action
includes power presses, press brakes,
and tubing benders.

LESSON 1

REQUIREMENTS OF
SAFEGUARDING
What must a safety guard do to protect workers against mechanical hazards?
Safety guards must meet minimum general requirements. Scroll over each
requirement below to find out more:
Prevent contact
Be secure
Protect from falling objects
Create no new hazards
Create no interference
Allow safe lubrication

LESSON 1

REQUIREMENTS OF
SAFEGUARDING

Prevent contact:
The safety guard must prevent hands, arms, and any other part of a
worker's body from making contact with dangerous moving parts.

Be secure:
Workers should not be able to easily remove or tamper with the
safety guard, because a safety guard that can easily be made
ineffective is no safety guard at all. Guards and safety devices
should be made of durable material that will withstand the conditions
of normal use. They must be firmly secured to the machine.

Protect from falling objects:

The safety guard should ensure that no objects could fall into moving
parts. A small tool which is dropped into a cycling machine could
easily become a projectile that could strike and injure someone.

LESSON 1

REQUIREMENTS OF
SAFEGUARDING

Create no new hazards: .

A safety guard defeats its own purpose if it creates a hazard of its own
such as a shear point, a jagged edge, or an unfinished surface which
can cause a laceration. The edges of guards, for instance, should be
rolled or bolted in such a way that they eliminate sharp edges.

Create no interference:
Any safety guard which impedes a worker from performing the job
quickly and comfortably might soon be overridden or disregarded.
Proper safety guarding can actually enhance efficiency since it can
relieve the worker's apprehensions about injury.

Allow safe lubrication:

If possible, one should be able to lubricate the machine without
removing the safety guards. Locating oil reservoirs outside the guard,
with a line leading to the lubrication point, will reduce the need for the
operator or maintenance worker to enter the hazardous area.

LESSON 1

EMPLOYEE TRAINING

Training
Even the most elaborate safety guarding system cannot offer effective
protection unless the worker knows how to use it and why. Specific and
detailed training is therefore a crucial part of any effort to provide safety
guarding against machine-related hazards.

LESSON 1

EMPLOYEE TRAINING
Thorough operator training should involve instruction and/or hands-on
training in the following:

A description and identification of the hazards associated with

particular machines
The safety guards themselves, how they provide protection, and
the hazards for which they are intended
How to use the safety guards and why

LESSON 1

EMPLOYEE TRAINING

How and under what circumstances safety guards can be

removed, and by whom (in most cases, repair or maintenance
personnel only)
What to do (e.g., contact the supervisor) if a safety guard is
damaged, missing, or unable to provide adequate protection.

This kind of safety training is necessary for new operators and

maintenance or setup personnel, when any new or altered safety guards
are put in service, or when workers are assigned to a new machine or
operation.

LESSON 2

OSHA MACHINE
GUARDING REQUIREMENTS
This lesson focuses on the following topics:

General Requirements For All Machines

Woodworking Machinery Requirements

Abrasive Wheel Machinery

LESSON 2

GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS
FOR ALL MACHINES

OSHAs fundamental requirement for employers is that one or more

methods of machine guarding be provided to protect the operator
and other employees in the machine area from hazards.

These include such hazards as those created by point of operation,

in-going nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Examples
of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices,
etc.

LESSON 2

GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS
FOR ALL MACHINES

General requirements for machine guards

Guards shall be affixed to the machine where possible and secured

elsewhere if for any reason attachment to the machine is not
possible. The guard shall be such that it does not offer an accident
hazard in itself.

The point of operation of machines, whose operation exposes an

employee to injury, must be guarded and be designed and
constructed to prevent the operator from having any part of his body
in the danger zone during the operating cycle.

LESSON 2

GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS
FOR ALL MACHINES

OSHA encourages the use of special hand tools such as push sticks
to allow for easy handling of material without the operator having to
put his hand in the danger zone.

Another general requirement for all machines is that machines

designed for a fixed location shall be securely anchored to prevent
"walking" or "moving".
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Safety committees or an individual (s) with responsibility for plant safety should
perform regular safety audits of machine areas to ensure guards have not been
removed, discarded, or are in need of repair or replacement. Machines generally
should not be operated unless all the guards are securely in place.

LESSON 2

GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS
FOR ALL MACHINES

General requirement for guarding fan blades

When the periphery of the blades of a fan is less than 7 feet above the
floor or working level, the blades shall be guarded.

The guard shall have openings no larger than 1/2 inch.

The use of concentric rings with spacing between them not exceeding a
1/2 inch are acceptable provided that sufficient radial spokes and firm
mountings are used to make the guard rigid enough to prevent it from
being pushed into the fan blade during normal use.

LESSON 2

WOODWORKING
MACHINERY REQUIREMENTS
Many of the woodworking
requirements apply to specific
types of equipment such as cut-off
saws and circular saws. One of
the first requirements of the
section (1910.213 (a)(4)) covers
automatic cutoff saws. On October
30, 1978 OSHA issued a directive
(OSHA Instruction STD 1-12.15)
that clarified its position on
automatic cutoff saws.

LESSON 2

WOODWORKING
MACHINERY REQUIREMENTS
In work situations where employees
are not exposed to any hazards
involving automatic cut-off saws,
such saws that stroke continuously
without the operator being able to
control each stroke, may be used.
In work situations where employees
are exposed to any hazards
involving automatic cut-off saw,
(e.g., load, clamp, cut-off, unload,
etc.) such saws that stroke
continuously without the operator
being able to control each stroke are
in violation of 29 CFR 1910.213(a)
(4) and shall be cited.

LESSON 2

WOODWORKING
MACHINERY REQUIREMENTS
One on the most hazardous
situations involving woodworking
machinery is the re-starting of a
machine after the power has been
cut. Any time injury to the operator
might result if motors were to restart
after power failures, a safety guard
must be implemented to prevent
machines from automatically
restarting upon restoration of power
(usually an in-line anti restart cord
with a built-in reset button).

LESSON 2

WOODWORKING
MACHINERY REQUIREMENTS
It is important that machine operators can
cut power to the machine anytime it is
necessary, and as soon as possible. To
accomplish this, OSHA has another
requirement: A mechanical or electrical
power control shall be provided on each
machine so the operator can cut off the
power from each machine without leaving
his position at the point of operation.
Safety and practicality are important
consideration when setting up
woodworking machines for operator use.
Power controls and operating controls
should be located within easy reach of the
operator while he is at his regular work
location, making it unnecessary for him to
reach over the cutter to make adjustments.

LESSON 2

WOODWORKING
MACHINERY REQUIREMENTS
For circular saws where there is a
possibility of contact with the portion of the
saw either beneath or behind the table,
that portion of the saw shall be covered
with an exhaust hood, or, if no exhaust
system is required, with a guard that shall
be so arranged as to prevent accidental
contact with the saw.
Each circular hand-fed ripsaw shall be
guarded by a hood which completely
encloses that portion of the saw above the
table and above the material being cut.

LESSON 2

WOODWORKING
MACHINERY REQUIREMENTS

The hood and mounting must be arranged so

that the hood will automatically adjust itself to
the thickness of, and remain in contact with,
the material being cut. On October 30, 1978,
OHSA released directive STD 1-12.18 to
clarify this requirement.

Automatically adjusting guards are not

required where fixed enclosures or fixed
barrier guards provide protection equivalent to
the protection of automatically adjusted
guards, thereby preventing employee
exposure to the saw blade.

Other woodworking tools addressed by OHSA in the regulations include: Self-feed

circular saws, swing cutoff saws, radial saws, band saws, jointers, and many other
specialized machines, a detailed discussion of which is beyond the scope of this
lesson.

LESSON 2

WOODWORKING
MACHINERY REQUIREMENTS
Radial saws must be equipped with
special safety features to protect
operators. These include:
a guard that encloses the upper
portion of the blade
an adjustable guard for the sides
and lower portion of the blade, to
the full diameter of the blade, by a
device that will automatically adjust
itself to the thickness of the stock

LESSON 2

WOODWORKING
MACHINERY REQUIREMENTS
Non-kickback fingers or dogs located on
both sides of the saw so as to oppose the
thrust or tendency of the saw to pick up
the material, or to throw it back toward the
operator; an adjustable stop shall be
provided to prevent the forward travel of
the blade beyond the position necessary
to complete the cut in repetitive
operations; and a retracting device to
automatically bring the saw back to the
starting position are other required safety
guards.

LESSON 2

ABRASIVE WHEEL MACHINERY

Safety guards are required on

abrasive wheel machines except
when they are used for internal
work while within the work being
ground; mounted wheels, used in
portable operations, 2 inches and
smaller in diameter; or special listed
operations where the work offers full
protection (see 1910.215 (a)(1)(iii).

The safety guard shall cover the

spindle end, nut, and flange
projections.

LESSON 2

ABRASIVE WHEEL MACHINERY

Work rests must be kept closely

adjusted, maximum gap = 1/8", to
prevent work from jamming &
breaking wheel. The adjustable
tongue guard must be kept adjusted
within 1/4" of the grinding wheel. It is
important to remember that these
guards require continual adjustment
as the diameter of the grinding
wheel decreases with use, they must
be securely clamped after each
adjustment, and adjustments are
made only after the wheel has
stopped.

LESSON 2

ABRASIVE WHEEL MACHINERY

Other important requirements for abrasive grinding machinery:

The rpm rating on the grinding wheel must be rated at or higher than
the rpm rating of the grinding machine it is being installed on. If the rpm
rating is lower than that of the grinder the wheel could break apart
causing possible serious injury to the operator.

Wheels should be tapped gently with a light nonmetallic implement,

such as the handle of a screwdriver for light wheels, or a wooden mallet
for heavier wheels. If they sound cracked (dead), they shall not be
used. This is known as the "Ring Test".

LESSON 2

ABRASIVE WHEEL MACHINERY

Guard exposure angles

The amount of grinding wheel

that can be exposed, varies with
the type of grinder used.

Visors or other accessory

equipment shall not be included
as a part of the guard when
measuring the guard opening,
unless such equipment has
strength equal to that of the
guard.

Angular exposure for wheel periphery

Maximum angle of exposure above
the horizontal = 65

Maximum wheel exposure = 90

Horizontal plane of the spindle

For bench and floor stand grinders

LESSON 2

ABRASIVE WHEEL MACHINERY

The angular exposure of the

grinding wheel periphery and
sides for safety guards used on
machines, known as bench and
floor stands, should not exceed
90 degrees, or one-fourth of the
periphery.
This exposure shall begin at a
point not more than 65 degrees
above the horizontal plane of the
wheel spindle, according to the
chart.

Angular exposure for wheel periphery

Maximum angle of exposure above
the horizontal = 65

Maximum wheel exposure = 90

Horizontal plane of the spindle

For bench and floor stand grinders

LESSON 2

ABRASIVE WHEEL MACHINERY

Protective eyewear should always be
used when working with abrasive wheel
machinery. Either safety glasses with
side shields, or safety goggles should
be worn to protect the eyes from sparks
and flying particles, and from the wheel
itself, should it break apart during use.
Face shields are just that: shields that
protect the face. They are not designed
to provide eye protection, and should
only be used in conjunction with
appropriate eye protection.

LESSON 3

POWER PRESSES, FORGING

MACHINES, POWERTRANSMISSION
This lesson focuses on the following topics:

Mechanical Power Press Safety

Forging Machine Safety

Mechanical Power Transmission Apparatus

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWER
PRESS SAFETY

Mechanical power presses are powerful machines that can easily

produce many tons of pressure at the point of operation. Because
they are so powerful, injuries resulting from mechanical power
presses can be severe.

Point of operation guards are required that prevent entry into the
point of operation during the operating cycle. It is the responsibility of
the employer to provide and insure the usage of point of operation
guards

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWER
PRESS SAFETY

Machines using full revolution

clutches must incorporate a
single-stroke mechanism.

Foot treadles (a foot pedal that

can cycle a power press), if used,
must be done so with extreme
caution. The pedal mechanism
must be protected to prevent
unintended operation from falling
or moving objects or by
accidental stepping onto the
pedal, and include a non-slip
bottom.

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWER
PRESS SAFETY

Two hand trip controls are one

means for protecting operators
hands during the press cycling
operation. Each hand control
must be protected against
unintended operation and
arranged so that the concurrent
use of both hands is required to
trip the press.

On part revolution presses, a red

color stop control shall be
provided with the clutch/brake
control system. Momentary
operation of the stop control shall
immediately deactivate the clutch
and apply the brake.

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWER
PRESS SAFETY

Presence sensing devices are another way to protect operators

hands.

They must prevent and/or stop normal stroking of the press if the
operator's hands are inadvertently placed in the point of
operation, and they must be interlocked into the control circuit to
prevent or stop slide motion if the operator's hand, or other part
of his body, is within the sensing field of the device during the
down stroke of the press slide.

Presence sensing devices are not allowed on full revolution

presses

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWER
PRESS SAFETY
Pull-out devices are another method of
protecting hands form press point of
operations. The requirements for
pullbacks include the following:
Each pull-out device in use shall
be visually inspected and checked
for proper adjustment at the start of
each operator shift, following a new
die set-up, and when operators are
changed.
Necessary maintenance or repair,
or both, shall be performed and
completed before the press is
operated.

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWER
PRESS SAFETY
A record of the inspection must be
kept including the date of the
inspection, the signature of the
person performing the inspection,
and an identifier of the press that
was inspected.

This is usually done by keeping an

inspection card at each press that is
formatted to include the above
requirements plus additional data fields.

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWER
PRESS SAFETY

Hand feeding tools are another way

to protect operators hands by
keeping them out of the point of
operation, but hand feeding tools are
not point of operation guards. They
are supplements to other guarding
systems.

It is the employers duty (and

requirement) to train and instruct the
operator in the safe method of work
before starting work on any power
press. The employer must also
insure by adequate supervision, that
the correct operating procedures are
being followed.

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWER
PRESS SAFETY

Where the operator feeds or removes parts by placing one or both hands in
the point of operation, then a two hand control, presence sensing device of
Type B gate or movable barrier (on a part revolution clutch) is used for
safeguarding.

A brake monitor is required so that a failure within the system does not
prevent the normal stopping action from being applied to the press when
required, but does prevent initiation of a successive stroke until the failure is
corrected.

LESSON 3

FORGING MACHINE SAFETY

Forging is the shaping of steel (usually steel bars of varying thickness).

Forging usually involves heating the steel until it is red hot, and can then be
formed into the desired shape. It is required that personal protective
equipment (gloves, goggles, aprons, and other items) be worn for forging
operations.

LESSON 3

FORGING MACHINE SAFETY

It is the responsibility of the employer to maintain all forge shop equipment in
a condition which will insure continued safe operation. This responsibility
includes the following:

Establishing periodic and regular maintenance safety checks. Keeping

certification records of these inspections which include the date of
inspection, the signature of the person who performed the inspection and
the serial number, or other identifier, for the forging machine which was
inspected.

LESSON 3

FORGING MACHINE SAFETY

Scheduling and recording the inspection of guards and point of operation

protection devices at frequent and regular intervals. Recording of
inspections must be in the form of a certification record which includes the
date the inspection was performed, the signature of the person who
performed the inspection and the serial number, or other identifier, of the
equipment inspected.

Training personnel for the proper inspection and maintenance of forging

machinery and equipment.

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWERTRANSMISSION APPARATUS

Belts, pulleys, chains, rotating shafts, gears, pinions, and sprockets can all be
potentially hazardous to work near or around. Workers can get hands caught
in pinch or nip points, or can be drawn into the moving parts of machines. All
moving parts of machines that could injure employees should be guarded.

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWERTRANSMISSION APPARATUS

Flywheels seven feet or less

above the floor or working
platform must be guarded with
an enclosure of sheet,
perforated, or expanded metal,
woven wire or a guardrail.

Wherever flywheels are above

working areas, guards shall be
installed having sufficient
strength to hold the weight of
the flywheel in the event of a
shaft or wheel mounting failure.

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWERTRANSMISSION APPARATUS

All exposed parts of horizontal, vertical, and inclined shafting seven (7)
feet or less from floor or working platform (excepting runways used
exclusively for oiling, or running adjustments), must be protected by a
stationary casing enclosing shafting completely, or by a trough enclosing
sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting as location requires.

Projecting shaft ends shall present a smooth edge and end and shall not
project more than one-half the diameter of the shaft unless guarded by
non-rotating caps or safety sleeves. Unused keyways shall be filled up or
covered.

LESSON 3

MECHANICAL POWERTRANSMISSION APPARATUS

All belts, pulleys, gears, chains and sprockets must all be guarded if
they are lower than seven feet from the floor or working platform.

Horizontal belts higher than seven feet must be guarded if located over
passages or work location and traveling over 1800 feet per minute, if the
center to center distance between pulleys is over ten feet, or if the belt is
8 inches or more in width.

Hand operated gears are exempt from the requirement for guarding, but
it is highly recommended that they also be guarded.

All projecting keys, setscrews, and other projections in revolving parts

shall be removed or made flush or guarded by metal cover.

LESSON 4

TYPES OF MACHINE
GUARDS AND THEIR
APPLICATIONS

This lesson focuses on the following topics:

Guard Materials

Methods Of Machine Guarding

LESSON 4

GUARD MATERIALS

Materials for guards should be made

from expanded metal, perforated or
solid sheet metal, wire mesh on a
frame of angle iron, or iron pipe
securely fastened to floor or to frame of
machine.

All metal should be free from burrs and

sharp edges.

Guards should be rigidly braced every

three (3) feet or fractional part of their
height to some fixed part of the
machinery or building structure.

Where the guard is exposed to contact

with moving equipment, additional
strength may be necessary.

LESSON 4

FOUR TYPES OF GUARDS

There are four types of guards available. They are: fixed, interlocked,
adjustable, or self-adjusting. Scroll over each type of guard to find out more
about the following:

Fixed Guards

Interlocked Guards

Adjustable Guards

Self-Adjusting Guards

LESSON 4

FOUR TYPES OF GUARDS

Fixed guards:
Are permanent, independent of
moving parts, and are made of
substantial material such as steel
or Plexiglas (see mesh pulley
guard below).

Interlocked guards:
Removing or opening the guard
trips the interlock.

LESSON 4

FOUR TYPES OF GUARDS

Adjustable guards:
Have the advantage of being able to accommodate variable sized parts.

Self-adjusting guards:
Have the added advantage of
adjusting automatically. When
stock is removed, the guard
returns to original position.

LESSON 4

FOUR TYPES OF GUARDS

There are four accepted methods of guarding machine hazard areas, they
are: guards, devices, location, and parts loaders/ejectors. Scroll over each
method to learn more about the following:

Devices

Electromechanical

Safety Gates

Feeding and Ejection Methods

LESSON 4

FOUR TYPES OF GUARDS

Devices:
Includes presence sensing, pullbacks and holdouts, body bars, tripwires,
safety gates, and two-hand controls and trips. Of these, presence
sensing devices are the most sophisticated. One type is a photo electric
beam of light that runs across the entrance to a point of operation. If the
plane of the beam is broken by any object, the machine will not cycle.

Electromechanical:
This type of guard can be a probe or a contact bar. Any obstruction will
prevent the machine from cycling. They are excellent for sewing or
riveting operations. An example of an electromagnetic guard is a ring
guard

LESSON 4

FOUR TYPES OF GUARDS

Safety Gates:
Are removable barriers that protect the operator before the machine
cycle starts. Usually they are interlocked so if the gate is opened the
machine will stop, and a cycle will not initiate until the gate is closed.

Feeding and Ejection Methods:

Can keep the operators hands out of the point of operation at all
times. Parts are placed in a feeder, and are automatically ejected from
the machine.