Machine Guarding

29 CFR 1910.212
Mushroom / OSHA Alliance General Meeting
April 25, 2013
Importance of Machine Guarding
 Machine Guarding protects workers
 Injuries due to lack of guarding can often
be serious and even fatal
 “Easy Fixes” which can make our
workplaces much safer
1910.212 OSHA Standard
One or more methods of machine guarding

must be provided :
◦ To protect the operator and other employees
from hazards such as those created by:
 Point of operation
 Ingoing nip points
 Rotating parts
 Flying chips or sparks
 1910.212 Machine Guards
Guards shall be affixed to the machine
OR secured elsewhere if not possible to the
machine

The guarding device shall be designed and

constructed to prevent the operator from
having any part of his/her body in the
danger zone during the operating cycle
Examples of Guarding

Perimeter Guarding
 Machines – Require Guarding
Point of operation guarding:
◦ Guillotine cutters
◦ Shears
◦ Power saws
Revolving drums & barrels
Fans – less than 7 feet above working area
◦ Blades guarded with opening no larger ½ inches
Examples of Machine Guarding
Grinder Shield
 Where Mechanical Hazards
Occur
 Point of Operation – point at which work
is performed such as cutting, shaping, and
boring
 Power Transmission Apparatus –
components of the mechanical system that
transmit energy to the part of the machine
performing the work (i.e. flywheels, pulleys)
 All Moving Parts - parts of the machine
that move while the machine is working
Examples of Guarding - Gears

Tool Needed to
Remove Guard
Guarding Preventions
Prevent Contact – Guard must prevent
hands, arms, and any other body part of an
operator’s body from making contact with
moving parts

Secure – Guard need to be made of durable

material that will withstand the conditions of
normal use and must be firmly secured to the
machine

Protect from Falling Objects – Guard should

ensure that no objects can fall into moving
parts
 Guarding Requirements
Create No New Hazards – Guard should not
create a new hazard such as a shear or nip point
or a sharp, jagged edge

Create No Interference – Safeguard should

not prohibit operator from performing his/her
job safely and efficiently

Allow Safe Lubrication – Operators should be

able to lubricate the machine without removing
the guards
Mushroom Operations Guarding
Compost Facility
Mixing Line Conveyors
Raw Material Conveyors

Mushroom Houses / Growing

Clean-out Operation Conveyors
Filling Operation Conveyors
Casing Operation Conveyors
Examples of Guarding - Conveyor

Composting Operation
Examples of Guarding –
Filling Operation
Examples of Guarding –
Clean-out Operation
Examples of Guarding –
Casing Operation
Mushroom Operations Guarding
Packing Area
Packing Line Conveyors
Box-Making Machines
Compacting Machines
Maintenance Facilities
Grinding Machines
Welding Machines
Shears
Drills
Saws
Fans
Examples of Guarding - Packing
Box Machine
(Perimeter Guarding)

Wrapper Machine
Examples of Guarding - Packing

Conveyor Lines
Examples of Guarding – Fan
Examples of Guarding - Tools

Grinder Shield
Guarding Opportunities
Guarding Opportunities
 What machines at your
company need guarding?
 Guarding Summary
 Inspect machinery and equipment to identify
guarding opportunities
 Network to identify guarding options
 When in doubt, guard the hazard!!

Why Guard –
for the Safety
of Our
Employees!
“Which way will you go?”

OR