Machine guarding is a crucial part of OSHA compliance procedures. Companies that utilize moving equipment or machinery are at a higher risk of injury and legal action if they do not follow safety guidelines.
At RPF Environmental, we offer comprehensive evaluations and instructions for OSHA compliance and machine guarding safety so you can be assured that your business is operating safely. Our team of expert technicians is ready to help you reach total compliance efficiently and effectively, and with a track record of success, we have the expertise you need to succeed.
An RPF Certified Safety Professional (CSP) will conduct a safety assessment by first understanding your manufacturing process so that we can keep your employees safe without sacrificing productivity. Our CSP will also review your existing safety documentation, such as machine manuals, safety procedures, and accident records, to identify any known hazards or previous incidents. While onsite, our RPF CSP will conduct thorough inspection to look for potential hazards at the points of operation, where the machine performs its work (e.g., cutting, shaping, punching) and where parts of the machine come together (e.g., rollers, gears, belts), including rotating parts: flywheels, shafts, spindles, etc.. We must also asses any ejected materials, including chips, sparks, or other debris that may be thrown out by the machine.
The CSP will assure that new guards are durable enough to withstand potential impacts, can be accessible to be easily removed for maintenance or cleaning, while not interfering with the machine operation or the worker’s tasks. Once new guards are in place, the CSP observes machine operators to understand how they interact with the machines and identify any unsafe practices or potential for human error, developing safe work procedures, providing training, and implementing lockout/tagout procedures, and recommending appropriate PPE for machine operators and other workers. Finally, our RPF CSP will follow up with training for employees on the proper use and maintenance of machine guards.
Hazard Recognition to Prevent Machine Guard Accidents
To meet compliance requirements, you must have a robust understanding of hazard recognition. This means that you and your employees are educated in what to look for and where and when hazards are most likely to occur. This also guarantees the implementation of an effective machinery guarding system.
In many cases, recognizing a hazard before it becomes an incident is difficult, and the outcome may depend on how the operator acts in the moment. Reflexes and instincts are important, but according to OSHA, they should not be necessary on a daily basis.
By detecting issues before they come up, you can better prepare yourself and your employees and create action plans for when things go wrong. You can also prevent unexpected machine guard accidents and associated costs and losses that might put your company’s reputation at risk.
Call our OSHA compliance experts at 603-942-5432 for more information.
