Machine guarding protects workers from serious injuries or death from machinery. The OSHA standard 1910.212 requires guarding of hazards like points of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, and flying chips. Examples of effective guarding discussed were perimeter guards, shields, and barriers to prevent contact with dangerous moving parts. Requirements are that guards prevent access to hazards without interfering with work, be securely attached, and create no new hazards themselves. The document identifies opportunities to improve guarding of conveyors, packaging equipment, and tools in mushroom farming operations.

1. Machine GuardingMachine Guarding
29 CFR 1910.212
Mushroom / OSHA Alliance General Meeting
April 25, 2013

2. Importance of Machine GuardingImportance of Machine Guarding
 Machine Guarding protects workers
 Injuries due to lack of guarding can often
be serious and even fatal
 “Easy Fixes” which can make our
workplaces much safer

3. 1910.212 OSHA Standard1910.212 OSHA Standard
 One or more methods of machine
guarding must be provided :
◦ To protect the operator and other employees
from hazards such as those created by:
 Point of operation
 Ingoing nip points
 Rotating parts
 Flying chips or sparks

4. Guards shall be affixed to the machine
OR secured elsewhere if not possible to the
machine
The guarding device shall be designed and
constructed to prevent the operator from
having any part of his/her body in the
danger zonedanger zone during the operatingduring the operating
cyclecycle
1910.212 Machine Guards1910.212 Machine Guards

5. Examples of GuardingExamples of Guarding
Perimeter Guarding

6. Machines – Require GuardingMachines – Require Guarding
Point of operation guarding:
◦ Guillotine cutters
◦ Shears
◦ Power saws
Revolving drums & barrels
Fans – less than 7 feet above working area
◦ Blades guarded with opening no larger ½ inches

7. Examples of Machine GuardingExamples of Machine Guarding
Grinder Shield

8. Where Mechanical HazardsWhere Mechanical Hazards
OccurOccur
 Point of Operation – point at which
work is performed such as cutting, shaping,
and boring
 Power Transmission Apparatus –
components of the mechanical system that
transmit energy to the part of the machine
performing the work (i.e. flywheels, pulleys)
 All Moving Parts - parts of the machine
that move while the machine is working

9. Examples of Guarding - GearsExamples of Guarding - Gears
Tool Needed to
Remove Guard

10. Guarding PreventionsGuarding Preventions
 Prevent Contact – Guard must prevent
hands, arms, and any other body part of an
operator’s body from making contact with
moving parts
 Secure – Guard need to be made of durable
material that will withstand the conditions of
normal use and must be firmly secured to the
machine
 Protect from Falling Objects – Guard
should ensure that no objects can fall into
moving parts

11. Guarding RequirementsGuarding Requirements
 Create No New Hazards – Guard should
not create a new hazard such as a shear or nip
point or a sharp, jagged edge
 Create No Interference – Safeguard should
not prohibit operator from performing his/her
job safely and efficiently
 Allow Safe Lubrication – Operators should
be able to lubricate the machine without
removing the guards

12. Mushroom Operations GuardingMushroom Operations Guarding
Compost Facility
Mixing Line Conveyors
Raw Material Conveyors
Mushroom Houses / Growing
Clean-out Operation Conveyors
Filling Operation Conveyors
Casing Operation Conveyors

13. Examples of Guarding - ConveyorExamples of Guarding - Conveyor
Composting OperationComposting Operation

14. Examples of Guarding –Examples of Guarding –
Filling OperationFilling Operation

15. Examples of Guarding –Examples of Guarding –
Clean-out OperationClean-out Operation

16. Examples of Guarding –Examples of Guarding –
Casing OperationCasing Operation

17. Mushroom Operations GuardingMushroom Operations Guarding
Packing Area
Packing Line Conveyors
Box-Making Machines
Compacting Machines
Maintenance Facilities
Grinding Machines
Welding Machines
Shears
Drills
Saws
Fans

18. Examples of Guarding - PackingExamples of Guarding - Packing
Box MachineBox Machine
(Perimeter Guarding)(Perimeter Guarding)
Wrapper MachineWrapper Machine

19. Examples of Guarding - PackingExamples of Guarding - Packing
Conveyor LinesConveyor Lines

20. Examples of Guarding – FanExamples of Guarding – Fan

21. Examples of Guarding - ToolsExamples of Guarding - Tools
Grinder Shield

22. Guarding OpportunitiesGuarding Opportunities

23. Guarding OpportunitiesGuarding Opportunities
 What machines at your
company need guarding?

24. Guarding SummaryGuarding Summary
 Inspect machinery and equipment to identify
guarding opportunities
 Network to identify guarding options
 When in doubt, guard the hazard!!
Why GuardWhy Guard ––
for the Safetyfor the Safety
of Ourof Our
Employees!Employees!

25. ““Which way will you go?”Which way will you go?”
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