Machine Guarding
When the operation of a machine or accidental contact injure the operator, the hazards must be eliminated or controlled. Any machine part, function, or process which may cause injury must be safeguarded. This involves the implementation of physical barriers, devices, or safety measures to shield workers from the hazards posed by machinery. Machine guarding plays a vital role in ensuring workplace safety and preventing accidents, as it protects the machine operator and other employees in the work area from hazards created by ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips, and sparks.
No employee shall operate any machinery without proper protective guards in place. Examples of guarding methods include:
- Barrier guards;
- Light curtains;
- Two-hand tripping devices; and
- Electronic safety devices
Employees should not remove guards unless the machine is locked and tagged and should report machine guard issues to supervisors immediately.
Resources & Forms
Machinery and Machine Guarding - 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O
Training
Machine Guarding - MCG1.2
Individuals who successfully complete this course will learn to define machine guarding,
locate fundamental machine areas, machine hazards, the types of machine guards, and
the types of machine devices. This course meets the provisions of OSHA's Machinery
and Machine Guarding standard. Assignments of this course are overseen by the Environmental
Health and Safety (EHS) Coordinator. For further training information, contact the
EHS Coordinator at 817-257-7220 or safety@tcu.edu.