QEHSOperations
Machine guarding
Physical barriers, devices, and procedures that prevent worker contact with hazardous machine parts — points of operation, rotating parts, flying chips.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart O requires that all machine hazards be guarded. Guards must be affixed to the machine where possible, secured such that they cannot be removed without tools, and designed to prevent any part of the worker's body from reaching the danger zone. Types include fixed guards, interlocked guards, adjustable guards, and self-adjusting guards. Devices include presence-sensing mats, two-hand controls, and light curtains. Machine guarding violations are consistently among OSHA's top 10 most-cited standards, and amputations from unguarded machinery are among the most preventable serious injuries.