Machine Guarding
Machine guarding is a very important component of the vessel safety program. Identify all hazardous areas and then provide guards as required.
Guards are needed:
- at all places where vessel personnel can make contact with or be struck by moving parts, and
- where a person can be caught by nip points or pinch points of machinery or material.
Standard Requirements include:
- Make sure machine guarding complies with the relevant legal requirements.
- Include adequate specifications for guards during the design stage.
- Ensure that guards are tough, hard-wearing, non-corrosive, heat resistant and easy to remove for maintenance or repair work.
- Paint the inside of the guard, and moving parts orange for example, to allow for instant recognition when open.
- Guards should form permanent parts of the machine and offer maximum protection, without endangering the operator or impeding the performance of the machine.
- Machinery must not be operated unless the machine guards are in place and in good condition.
- Where shafts or spindles project more than one quarter of its own diameter, they must be enclosed completely by a cap or casing.
- Guards must be on the safety representative's checklist.
- Ensure that guards don’t impede ventilation, lighting, etc.
- Always ensure that the machine is locked out before removing a guard.
- Before a machine is put into operation, make sure that all dangerous parts are provided with efficient guards, and that these are properly secured.
- Where guards are made of perforated metal, mesh or bars, the openings should not be large enough to allow a finger to be inserted to reach a dangerous part.
