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INTRODUCTION TO THE PROGRAM - MACHINE GUARD SAFETY

Structure and Organization

The Machine Guard Safety information in this program is presented in a definite order, so that employees will see the relationships between the various groups of information and can retain them more easily. The sections in the Machine Guard Safety program include:

• Basic Machine Operations.

• Fixed Guards.

• Interlock Guards.

• Adjustable and Self-Adjusting Guards.

• Light Curtains.

• Drop-Probe Devices.

• Pressure-Sensitive Devices.

• Restrain and Pullback Devices.

• Adjustment, Inspection and Maintenance of Safety Guards and Devices.

• Safe Work Practices.

Background

Machinery comes in many sizes and shapes, and it can present many different types of hazards. Each year thousands of employees across the country are injured by the machines that they are most familiar with... and which they believe are safe.

Many serious accidents occur to experienced workers because they become complacent, or they decide that they can get away with dangerous shortcuts. In some cases, machines have even had their safety guards and devices damaged, altered or removed. In fact, the risk of accidents from powered machinery is so great OSHA estimates that lack of machine guarding is the second most frequent safety violation in industry today.

To prevent these types of accidents, employees need to understand the dangers of working with machinery.., and how those risks can be minimized by proper installation and use of safety guards and devices.

Objectives

To help employees understand Machine Guard Safety, this education and training program is designed to present basic information in this area. Upon completion of the program, employees should:

· Understand the three basic motions of machinery, and how this can affect the type of safety guards needed on a machine.

• Know the different types of Machine Guards and Safety Devices, and which types should be used with certain machines.

• Recognize the strengths and weaknesses of Fixed and Interlock Guards.

• Understand why "Points of Operation" are particularly dangerous areas, and how installing Machine Guards in these areas can reduce accidents.

• Know how Safety Devices such as Light Curtains can provide an alternative when an operator's ability to run a machine is constrained by Fixed Guards.

• Recognize the importance of Pressure Sensing Devices and when they should be utilized.

• Understand how Safe Work Practices, such as wearing personal protective equipment and applying good housekeeping techniques, can reduce the risk of machine accidents.

Reviewing the Program

With the Machine Safety Guard program, as with any educational program, the "presenter" should go through it at least once to become familiar with the content and make sure the program is consistent with facility policy and directives. An "outline" of the points in the Machine Safety Guard program is included in this Presenter's Guide to help with this task and for general reference.

As part of this review process, you should determine how you, as the presenter, will conduct your session. The use of materials such as handouts, charts, etc., that may be available to you needs to be well thought out and integrated into the overall Machine Safety Guard program presentation.

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