Moving machine parts have the potential to cause severe workplace injuries, including crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns and blindness. Amputation is one of the most severe and crippling injuries and often results in permanent disability. OSHA has designed its Machine Guarding eTool to help employers recognize and control common amputation hazards associated with the operation and use of certain types of machines.
Any machine part, function or process with the potential for causing injury must be safeguarded using control methods that prevent employee contact with hazardous areas through effective machine guarding techniques. You can learn more about OSHA’s general requirements for machinery, motions and actions that contribute to different machine hazards and additional considerations for overall machine and operator safety by visiting the Machine Guarding section of OSHA’s website.
Upcoming OSHA #2045 Machinery and Machine Guarding Standards Classes