important features that keep employees safe. objective to make employees aware of the important role...

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


important features that keep employees safe. objective to make employees aware of the important role...

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