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The Importance of Equipment Guarding for Safety

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Safety is something that we don’t take lightly. We’ve addressed the issues of industry safety in previous blogs and set very high safety standards within our own company. At Base, our employees are trained to comply with mandated safety programs and regulations. We are also instrumental in assisting clients with performing and implementing safety programs.

As California’s industrial business is booming, it is essential that these businesses make safety a priority. Manufacturing requires use of machinery and equipment that can cause serious injury if not operated properly. All industrial equipment benefits from the use of machine guards to protect workers.

OSHA reports that there are approximately 18,000 worker accidents a year and 800 deaths due to unguarded or inadequately guarded machinery. Machines such as mills, grinders, drills, saws, and bending equipment all need safety guarding to prevent amputations, lacerations, crushing injuries, abrasions, or accidental death.

Machine guarding can be a challenge for manufacturers. The goal is to protect workers without compromising productivity. OSHA and ANSI both provide requirements for machine guarding. While these publications are inclusive, it is often difficult for manufacturers to implement an effective solution. Here at Base, we are well-versed with the regulations regarding machine guarding and can assist manufacturers with the implementation of a simple and cost effect approach.

Machine guarding is available in two forms: fixed or moveable. After performing a formal risk assessment, it can be determined which type is best for each tool. Fixed guards are suitable for tools where the operator never or infrequently requires access to the hazard zone. A fixed guard provides comprehensive protection through a barrier that isolates workers from potential danger. It also prevents workers from circumventing the guard to reach the hazard zone. When designed and installed properly fixed guards are very effective and cost efficient.

In applications where access to the hazard zone is moderate or occasionally frequent, moveable guards may be the best choice. There are two types of moveable guards—type A encloses the hazards zone throughout the whole machine cycle and type B that encloses the hazard zone only when the hazardous portion of the cycle is running.

In addition to barrier guarding, there are also systems such as light curtains for perimeter guarding, restraints to prevent reaching into a dangerous area, safety blocks for die changeovers, and pressure sensitive mats that prevent the machine from operating if there is weight on the mat. We work closely with several machine guarding system manufacturers to keep our manufacturing operations safe.

With all these various options for machine guarding, it is easy to find one that will work in any manufacturing environment. Let the experts at Base bring safety to your operation.

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