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Machinery Safety

Policy:

All mechanical motion is potentially hazardous. Motion hazards, such as rotating devices, cutting or shearing blades, in-running nip points, reciprocating parts, linear moving belts and pulleys, meshing gears, and uncontrolled movement of failing parts, are examples of motion and peculiar to any one machine or job operation. Personnel working within areas where they are exposed to machinery or equipment hazards must be aware of the potential for accidents. Machine operators and others are exposed to moving parts and can get clothing or body parts caught in the machinery.

Personnel Training:

Personnel will be trained to:

1. Safely operate each machine they will be required to use

2. To recognize potential accident producing situations, and

3. To know what to do when hazards are discovered.

Only personnel who have been thoroughly trained, or those who are undergoing supervised on-the-job training on the equipment, will be permitted to operate machinery.

Personal Protective Equipment:

Eye protection or face shields will be worn by all personnel within areas where machines are operated.

Loose fitting clothing, neckties, rings, bracelets, or other apparel that may become entangled in moving machinery will not be worn by machine operators or their helpers.

Hair nets or caps will be worn to keep long hair away from moving machinery.

Gloves will not be worn where there is a chance of them being caught in machinery.

Ear plugs or muffs will be used when required for worker protection.

The Safety and Health Manager should be contacted to assist Supervisors in determining personnel protective equipment needs.

Environmental:

Machines designed for fixed locations will normally be securely fastened to the floor or other suitable foundation to eliminate all movement or "walking." Machines equipped with rubber feet, non-skid foot pads, or similar vibration dampening materials will be installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Machines that have the potential of tipping or falling over will be firmly secured.

Machines that develop fine dust and fumes will be equipped with effective exhaust hoods, connected to an effective exhaust system. An interlocking device should be installed to l ink the machine's power supply and the exhaust system to prevent the operation of machines without the exhaust system operating.

Machines will never be left unattended with the power on unless the worker is operating more than one machine in a battery of machines. In this latter instance, the clear zone will be appropriately marked to include all machines in the group.

No attempt will be made to clean any part of a machine until the moving parts have come to a complete stop. Chips will not be removed from machinery by hand. Hand brushes should be used but compressed air may be used when reduced to less than 30 psi and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment.

Brushes, swabs, lubricating rolls, and automatic or manual pressure guns will be used by operators to lubricate material, punches, or dies. This equipment will be used so that operators are not required to reach into the point of operation or other hazardous area.

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