Important features that keep employees safe. Objective To make employees aware of the important role played by machine guards in protecting workers from

Important features that keep employees safe

Objective

• To make employees aware of the important role played by machine guards in protecting workers from severe workplace injuries

SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.

Background

• Moving machine parts have the potential to cause severe workplace injuries

• Crushed fingers or hands

• Amputations

• Burns

• Blindness


Background

• Safeguards, like machine guards, are essential for protecting workers from these preventable injuries


OSHA guidelines

• Any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury must be safeguarded

• When the operation of a machine or accidental contact injures the operator or others in the vicinity, the hazards must be eliminated or controlled


Safeguards are there to:

• Prevent dangerous contact

• Provide security

• Protect from falling objects (Bobcats, forklifts, etc.)

• Prevent flying debris from causing injury


Mowers

• All mowers (walk-behinds, riders and push mowers) have a discharge chute to prevent rocks, sticks, grass clippings and other objects from being potentially projected injuring the operator, passersby or stationary objects


String trimmers and edgers

• String trimmers and edgers have a pre-installed circular guard that prevents debris from being projected sideways or upward

• Eye protection must be worn when using handheld equipment, but sometimes this is not enough protection


String trimmers and edgers

• If a shield on a string trimmer or edger is ever damaged or cracked, it needs to be replaced before it can be operated

• The operation of a string trimmer or edger that is lacking the circular shield is prohibited


Blade grinders

• Blade grinding stations are equipped with guards for protection from flying sparks and chards/debris

• These guards should never be altered in any way


Blade grinders

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that should be worn when sharpening blades:

• Face shield with eye protection under it

• Ear protection

• Gloves


Review

• Any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury must be safeguarded


Review

• Machine guards prevent dangerous contact, provide security, and offer protection from falling objects and flying debris


Review

• Additional PPE, depending on the machine, may be needed to provide additional protection


Documents

Important features that keep employees safe. Objective To make employees aware of the important role played by machine guards in protecting workers from