Machine Guarding - Environmental Health & Safety

UTK Environmental Health & Safety Directive GS-060

This document aims to offer directions regarding the necessity and methods for effective machine guarding in workplace settings.

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Effective Date: 01/01/
Revision Date: 04/01/

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Objective

According to OSHA reports, there are around 18,000 incidents annually that lead to amputations, lacerations, crushing injuries, and abrasions. Additionally, approximately 800 fatalities each year are linked to inadequate machine guarding. Most of these accidents could have been avoided through proper machine safeguarding. A vital principle to bear in mind is: Any machine component, function, or process that poses an injury risk must be adequately safeguarded.

Scope and Application

This guideline is relevant to university-owned machinery, including both fixed and portable equipment. It also extends to leased equipment under the jurisdiction of UT.

This guideline does not encompass energized (electrical) components, pneumatic systems, chemicals, steam, heated surfaces as defined by the university’s lockout/tagout protocol, nor does it relate to major construction and renovation initiatives managed exclusively by contractors.

Terminology and Definitions

Abbreviations

MPTE: Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment refers to components where mechanical motion and kinetic energy is conveyed. For instance, this includes belts, screw drives, drive shafts, and gears.

ANSI: American National Standards Institute

EHS: Environmental Health and Safety

PPE: Personal Protective Equipment

PI: Principal Investigator

MH: Mechanical Hazards

Definitions

Mechanical Hazards: Locations on a machine where operations take place. This encompasses crush points, nip points, shearing, cutting, and similar mechanical actions.

Guard: An engineering control using fixed or adjustable barriers to avert contact with moving parts.

Interlocking: A safety feature that disables a machine’s operation automatically when a guard is removed, preventing the machine from starting until the guard is re-secured.

Roles and Responsibilities

Employee Responsibilities:

1. Restore all safety guards following equipment setup or repair.
2. Inform supervisors of any missing or ineffective guards.
3. Conduct periodic inspections to verify the proper functioning of safety features.
4. Do not operate machinery marked out of service due to safety violations.
5. Follow UT's Lockout/Tagout policy during machinery servicing.
6. Utilize PPE as mandated during machine operation.

EHS Responsibilities:

1. Annual inspections of facilities and equipment to identify safeguarding deficiencies.
2. Communicate issues discovered during inspections to the suitable personnel.
3. Out of service tagging for equipment posing significant hazards.
4. Offer training on machine guard safety upon request.
5. Assist departments with inquiries regarding MPTE.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

1. Ensure equipment is supplied with effective guarding and safety features.
2. Prohibit the operation of inadequately guarded machinery.
3. Confirm that all staff receive requisite training.
4. Correct machine guard deficiencies immediately.
5. Ensure the provision and proper use of PPE by employees.

Contractor and Visitor Responsibilities:

1. Adhere to the UT Machine Guarding Policy alongside OSHA regulations.
2. Follow UT's Lockout/Tagout procedures.

Guidance on Machine Guarding

Effective machine guarding serves as a barrier between personnel and moving machinery parts, substantially reducing the risk of serious injuries or fatalities. Non-compliance with OSHA guidelines regarding machine parts, functions, or operations can have dire consequences. The specific requirements for safeguarding differ for each machine based on its characteristics and operational functionalities.

Manufacturers or specialized providers often offer machine guards designed to fit their equipment, which usually translates to better safety and operational efficiency. However, it's paramount to consult with the equipment producer before creating a custom guard.

Employers must recognize hazardous activities involving machinery, including:

• Routine operations
• Setup and preparation
• Machine inspection
• Clearing jams or obstructions
• Maintenance tasks
• Oil application
• Cleaning operations

To enhance safety, personnel must avoid loose clothing or jewelry during operations to prevent entanglement issues.

Training Requirements

Comprehensive training on safe guarding practices should precede any employee or student engagement with machinery. The following elements should be included in the training:

• Understanding safety procedures, operational guidelines, and emergency protocols.
• Recognizing energy sources and implementing appropriate lockout/tagout measures.
• Identifying necessary PPE and demonstrating its correct usage.

Recordkeeping

Documentation of training sessions and safety inspections should be maintained by supervisors. EHS will oversee the records from inspections performed across campus machinery.

References

ANSI standards, OSHA guidelines, and specific machine guarding regulations.

Appendices

Appendix A: Self-Inspection Checklist

Disclaimer

The guidelines presented herein are for educational use only and do not substitute for professional training or experience.

For further information, please visit perforated machine guarding.