07 Nov 2023

TOOLBOX TALK 38/60: MACHINE GUARDS

JustinDG
Blog, Toolbox Talk

TOOLBOX TALK 38/60
TOPIC: MACHINE GUARDS
OBJECTIVE: TO ENSURE MACHINES ARE SAFELY GUARDED

Click here to read the PDF versionClick here to read the PDF version

DOS

  • Replace the guards before starting machines or after making adjustments or repairs to the machines.
  • Contain long hair under a hat or hair net, regardless of gender.
  • Read and obey safety warnings posted on or near any machinery.
  • Report damaged/ inadequate machine guarding to your supervisor.

DON’TS

  • Do not remove, alter, or bypass any safety guards or devices when operating any piece of equipment or machinery.
  • Do not use the machine if it has inadequate guarding.

Discussion:

  • Discuss the guards on the various pieces of equipment in your area and describe how they protect people from being injured, e.g., the V-belt drive guards, barrier guards, motor-coupling guards, two-hand control devices and electric-eye beams.
  • It is often necessary to remove a guard to service or adjust a machine, a tool, or a piece of equipment. When doing this, be sure the power is turned off and the switch is locked out or tagged out. Be sure that all precautions are taken to avoid any movement of the parts
  • Breakdowns, jammed work, and broken parts sometimes cause us to forget ordinary safety procedures. Very often, to remedy these conditions it is necessary to get into out-of-the-way places. Extreme caution is needed, because in some cases the location of the trouble cannot be guarded.
  • When the service job is completed, make sure the guard is replaced securely and is working properly.
  • Guards are installed to protect operators and others from injury, yet some operators find ways of removing machine guards or tampering with interlocks so they can operate the machines faster.

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