SECTION V: SAFE
WORK PRACTICES
(Understand the Hazards of Your Work
Environment)
Information presented is not intended to be
comprehensive or all inclusive; contact your supervisor, safety officer, or the
Environmental Health and Safety Office, 475-7041, for assistance or further
information on any given topic.
MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT SAFETY
Many types of machinery and equipment require operator
(whether student or employee) training in safe usage; proper guarding of moving
parts; a means of securing the equipment to prevent movement during operation;
regular maintenance; and, in some instances, the wearing of personal protective
equipment, such as safety glasses, during operation. The keys to machinery and equipment safety
include:
·
safeguarding
·
training
·
inspection
·
proper equipment
maintenance
Guards are needed on equipment whenever the equipment
has:
·
rotating
mechanisms
·
cutting or
shearing mechanisms
·
in-running nip
points
·
screw or worm
mechanisms
·
forming or
bending mechanisms
However, no guard or safeguard is foolproof. It can be defeated if desired. If the safeguard is not used, is removed, not adjusted, not
maintained or simply bypassed, it cannot do its job.
SAFETY SUGGESTIONS FOR MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT CARE AND
OPERATION
1. Enclose all gears, moving belts and other power
transmission devices with permanent guards or barricades. Ensure that a person cannot come into direct
contact with a moving machine part during normal operation.
2.
Machine controls
should be safeguarded to prevent unintended or inadvertent operation, and
located to provide immediate power cutoff in case of an emergency
.
3.
Thoroughly train
all operators in safe operation of the equipment, required personal protective equipment, and the importance of using safeguards provided.
4.
Save equipment
operations manuals and follow these outlines for safe operation and proper
maintenance.
5.
Permit
individuals to operate a machine only after they have demonstrated an ability
to operate the machine safely.
6.
Prohibit the use
of defective tools, machines or other equipment.
7.
Prohibit the
removal or altering of guards and safety devices.
8.
Secure all
machinery and equipment in place.
9.
Post safety rules
at or near each potentially hazardous machine.
10.
Identify all eye
protection areas with appropriate signs.
Require the wearing of eye protection in these areas by visitors as well
as employees and students.
11.
Don’t allow
machines to be started unless the guards are in place and in good
condition. Defective or missing guards
should be reported immediately.
12.
Whenever
safeguards or devices are removed for repair, adjustment or servicing of
equipment, the power for the equipment should be turned off and the main switch
locked and tagged.
13.
Do not allow
individuals to work on or around mechanical equipment while wearing neckties,
loose clothing, watches, rings or other jewelry.
14.
Ensure that
personal protective equipment is worn by operators wherever indicated.
15.
Practice regular
machine and equipment inspections.
16.
Ensure that
machines, equipment and attachments receive regular maintenance, according to
manufacturer recommendations, by authorized personnel.
17.
Document and keep
inspection, maintenance and training records.
18.
Practice good
housekeeping in the shop area; avoid tripping hazards and fire hazards.
19.
Allow sufficient
room to work without exposure to aisle traffic around machinery and equipment.
20. Keep the work area well illuminated.
21. Verify adequate ventilation, particularly in areas where operations create dusts, mists, vapors, fumes or gases.