Physical Barriers and Milling Machine Guards for Accident Prevention

Milling machine guards provide a physical barrier between an operator and the hazardous points on a machine. They prevent accidental injury and protect operators from flying debris, contaminants, and noise. Machine guard configurations, such as lathe guards, include a visor to protect operators from flying debris. Milling machine guards and boring guards may include telescoping cages, barriers, and bollards to prevent personnel from contacting machinery or entering dangerous areas. Consequently, the selection of a drill machine guard or boring guard is an important safety consideration.

Common Types of Guarding:

Barrier Guards – This is the most common type of guard which provides a physical barrier around moving parts to prevent accidental contact.

Distance Guarding – This is a guarding method that usually uses a barrier to prevent employee access to a general area where moving parts are present.

Light Curtains – This is a more sophisticated method of guarding that electronically shuts down the equipment if an employee or other object breaks the plane of protection near the point of operation.

Pullback Devices/Restraining Straps – This is typically used for punch press and press brake machines. This type of protection relies heavily on proper setup and use by employees, so it’s considered the least favorable method of protection.

Machine Function Guarding – This type of guarding consists of machine functionality such as two hand controls, food treadle operation and other methods that prevent an employee from inserting hands or body parts into danger zones during machine operation.

Machine Guarding Program

Any company that has equipment requiring guarding should have an effective machine guarding program. This program should consist of the follow components:

Initial Assessment – Each piece of equipment should be formally inspected for proper machine guarding and related safeguarding. Any pieces noted to have exposed parts or outdated guarding methods would be upgraded or otherwise safe guarded.

Employee Training – Employees require specific training about how to identify proper (or improper) machine guarding. Rules related to disabling machine safeguards, reporting unsafe conditions and other similar topics should be covered in this training. Lockout training is also required for those performing lock out procedures and employees working near that equipment.

On-Going Inspections of Guarding – Virtually every manufacturing, recycling or food facility is required by OSHA to have frequent and regular inspections. Machine guarding should be part of that inspection process. Several pieces of equipment that utilize an emergency stop function as part of the machine safety should be tested at the beginning of each shift.

Prevention of employee injuries should be a primary goal of all employers. One fundamental aspect of employee safety is guarding moving parts on machinery. Injuries related to a lack of machine guarding are usually severe and result in amputations or similar serious injuries. The manufacturing, recycling and food industries all share the need to have appropriate milling machine guards in place to adequately protect workers.

A common mistake employers make is assuming new equipment purchased for their facility will have necessary machine guarding that meets OSHA requirements. Don’t make this mistake! Proactive employers keep machine guarding as a regular safety focus item and as a result have a safer workplace and a stronger safety culture.