ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- We've all had the experience of doing what we thought was a favor for someone, only to have it rejected or unappreciated.
If machine guards were human, I believe they would experience this type of frustration frequently.
The basic purpose for guards is employee protection. The guards in industrial environments are used to protect employees against direct contact with moving parts. However, guards are often looked upon as obstacles.
While guards may appear to be a hindrance, overall they have proven to be otherwise.
Guards are engineered to give as much protection as possible, even for machine operators who deliberately take chances or who are distracted.
They make large contributions to both security and production. Greater machine speeds are possible through proper guarding and conscientious employees work with greater confidence knowing a machine offers maximum protection.
Two types of guards are used to protect machine operators and many of you have worked with one or the other. These are fixed guards and interlocking and gate guards.
Fixed guards are most commonly used and are preferred over others, the obvious reason being that the fixed guards protect you from dangerous parts of machines at all times. Fixed guards may only be adjusted by authorized personnel.
Interlocking guards are used if a fixed guard is not practical. This type will not allow the machine to operate until dangerous parts are guarded. The interlocking guard is designed to disconnect the source of power from the machine.
Safety devices, such as pullbacks, sweeps and electronic devices, are used where neither a fixed nor interlocking guard can be used satisfactorily.
There are guards designed to protect against flying chips, kickbacks and splashes of metal or harmful liquids.
Other guards protect against human failures. This demands a lot from any type of guard, as the scope of human failure is much broader than the protection of a guarding device.
As pointed out earlier, no guard can do the job without the cooperation of the person operating the machine.
When a new employee begins work in the industrial area, the depot trains them on all aspects of their job. This indoctrination includes instruction on the proper use of guards.
On the job, all questions concerning guards or any other work process or equipment, should be answered by the supervisor for that work area.
It should be noted that the employee's attitude toward safety is important.
Everyone working with or around machinery should understand the generally accepted safe procedures for this type of work.
No guard shall be adjusted or removed unless permission is given by the supervisor or the adjustment is made by an employee specifically trained to do so.
In addition, no machine should be started without guards in place. If guards are missing or defective in your work area, report concerns to your supervisor immediately.
When guards or safety devices are removed for repair or adjustment, the power for the machine should be turned off and the main switch locked and tagged.
A final point concerns safe dress. Loose clothing, neckties, watches, rings or other jewelry should not be worn around mechanical equipment. In fact, as most of you already know, these items of apparel are considered dangerous on many jobs.
Everyone wants to work in a safe environment. To do this, you must have a true respect for machinery and guards. This equipment will do its job for you, if you let it.
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