Machine Guarding
Machine guarding protect workers from preventable injuries due to moving parts in industrial environments. Machine guards are structures that shelter machine operators from accidental contact with potentially dangerous mechanisms. Some of the injuries that can result from work with machinery include burns, broken bones, blindness, amputation, and deep cuts. For this reason, any part of the machine that could harm a worker should have machine guarding around it.
OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is a governmental agency that creates standards for workplace safety measures. OSHA has set specific standards concerning the institution and use of machine guards in industrial settings. These regulations are legal requirements that plants must follow.
Machine guarding can be made from various materials, including metals, plastics, and wood. Because of its strength, metal is most commonly used, but plastic and wood are preferred in applications where corrosion is a concern.