Machinery Hazards

General Machinery and Equipment Hazards

Machinery and equipment may have the following hazards which require controls to be in place: 

• Point of operation: Refers to the area where work (e.g. cutting, shearing, shaping, boring) is performed on a stock material. Some machinery, such as table saws and bandsaw have a point of operation guarding that must be in place during operation. 
• Nip or pinch point: Refers to an area other than a point of operation where a belt contacts a pulley or one or more rotating parts come together where it is possible for a part of the body to get nipped or pinched by the moving parts. Machinery with rollers is a prime example of nip/pinch points. 
• Power transmission: Refers to areas where power is transferred from one part to another such as a drive shaft, belt, or chain. Belts, pulleys, flywheels, rotating parts, etc. must be guarded to prevent entanglement and amputations. Older machinery is notorious for not providing this type of guarding.

Rules for All Machinery/Equipment

Operator's Manual/Manufacturer's Instructions

The owner's or operator's manual must be in the shop area with the machine.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

A standard operating procedure indicating safety features and their appropriate use may be necessary for more complicated machinery. Some machinery may require operating steps be performed in a certain manner. SOPs define these criteria and should be used for training personnel prior to use.

Space About Machinery

• The area of operation must be free and clear of obstructions. 
• Slipping hazards (e.g. oil or debris) in front of machinery should be addressed with appropriate mats. 
• Space must be provided between each machine and other objects, including other machine operating areas, as needed, to allow the safe operation of the machine. A good rule of thumb is three feet.
• Adequate space for feeding stock into machinery must be provided.
• Machinery must not obstruct access to electrical disconnects.

Older Machinery/Equipment

Guarding

One issue with older shop equipment is that it may not have appropriate guarding when compared to newer standards and design requirements. Machine guarding issues are not grandfathered by OSHA and must be addressed before the machine is used. Check with the manufacturer first to see if a retrofit kit is available. If so, it will be up to the department to purchase and install it. If a retrofit kit is not available, a guard may have to be manufactured and installed. In general, the guard must sufficiently cover the hazard without creating an additional hazard. EHS can provide general recommendations, if necessary.

Out-of-service or Out-of-order

Machinery that is no longer used by a department should be removed from the site. Older machinery typically has insufficient guarding or other issues that would prohibit safe use and must be secured by a positive means to prevent accidental use while it remains onsite. "Positive means" would include placing a "Do Not Use" tag on the machine that specifies the problem (ex. missing guard) and applying an energy isolating device and lock on the cord-and-plug, or cutting the plug off of the machine to prevent someone from using the machine easily.

Machine-Specific Information

Machinery and equipment must be inspected and maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations. This information, along with safety-related guidelines, can be found in the operator's manual. If a manual is not available, the manufacturer should be contacted to obtain one. Many manufacturers post manuals on their websites.