ABSTRACT
Machine guarding is visible evidence of management's interest in the worker and its commitment to a safe work environment. It is also to management's benefit, as unguarded machinery is a principal source of costly accidents, waste, compensation claims and lost time. The most common sources of mechanical hazards are unguarded shafting, shaft ends, belt drives, gear trains, projections on rotating parts, and chains, in addition to where a moving part passes a stationary part or another moving part, producing a scissor-like effect on anything caught between the parts. The basic purpose of machine guarding is to prevent contact of the human body with dangerous parts of machines. Machine guards are essential for protecting workers from these needless and preventable injuries. Any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury must be safeguarded. Application of appropriate safeguards keeps people and their clothing from coming into contact with hazardous parts of machines and equipment.
