Guards
Workers can be seriously injured when they are exposed to moving parts of power tools, equipment, and machinery. Hazardous parts include belts, moving rollers, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, flywheels, and chains.
Machine guards must be provided to protect the operator and others whenever moving parts on tools, equipment, or machinery expose employees to a hazard. Examples include the following:
- Point of operation (cutting, shearing, punching, etc.)
- In-running nip points
- Rotating parts
- Flying chips and sparks
Follow these guidelines for safety guards on power tools:
- Blade Guards: Covers for saw blades on circular saws to prevent accidental contact.
- Guarding Shields: Transparent shields on portable grinders to protect eyes from flying debris.
- Safety Switches: Automatic shut-off switches that stop the tool if it is not properly handled.
- Fixed Guards: Permanent barriers that enclose hazardous parts without interfering with normal operation.
- Self-Adjusting Guards: Guards that move or adjust to cover the blade or other hazardous parts when not in use.
- Distance Guards: Barriers that keep hands and fingers away from moving parts by maintaining a safe distance.
Safety guards must never be removed or modified when a tool is being used.
Grooming
Protect your hair, scalp, and head. Pull back long hair in a band or a cap to keep it from getting caught in tools or moving parts. Be extremely careful with long hair when using a drill or drill press.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-2. When must tools, equipment, and machinery be equipped with safety guards?
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