Machine Guarding Procedure


Effective Date: September 2005 Revised: March 2006
Approved By: Carol Calvert - Human Resources Director

Intent:
This document ensures that Lakehead University employees, contractors and students follow procedures that protect personal and public safety and ensure legislative compliance when working with equipment or machinery.

Scope:
This policy applies to all machines used on Campus and all members of the University Community who work with machines.

Definitions:
Machine Includes, but not limited to, fans, compressors, bench grinders, fuel pumps, dumpsters, trash compactors and table saws

Machine Hazard occurs at the point of operation and can be created by components which transmit energy (i.e. pulleys, belts, chains, etc.) or other moving parts

Applicable Legislation and Standards:
Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation 851, R.R.O, 1990, Industrial;

  • Ontario Fire Code;
  • National Fire Code;
  • Ontario Building Code;
  • CSA Standard Z114-M1977, CSA Safety Code for the Woodworking Industry;
  • CSA Standard CAN C22.2 No. 745-1-95, Safety of Portable Electric Tools Part 1;
  • CSA Standard CAN C22.2 No. 745-2 Series, Safety of Portable Electric Tools Part2
  • CSA Standard CAN C22.2 No. 144-1977, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters;
  • CSA Standard W117.2-94 Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes;
  • ANSI B11.1, Safety Requirements for the Construction, Care, and Use of Mechanical Power Presses;
  • ANSI B11.3, Safety Requirements for the Construction, Care and Use of Mechanical Power Press Brakes;
  • ANSI B11.4, Safety Requirements for the Construction, Care, and Use of Shears;
  • ANSI B11.6, Safety Requirements for the Construction, Care, and Use of Lathes;
  • ANSI B11.7, Safety Requirements for the Construction, Care, and Use of Cold Headers and Cold Formers;
  • ANSI B11.8, Safety Requirements for the Construction, Care, and Use of Drilling, Milling, and Boring Machines;
  • ANSI B11.9, Safety Requirements for the Construction, Care, and Use of Grinding Machines;
  • ANSI B11.10, Safety Requirements for the Construction, Care, and Use of Metal Sawing Machines;
  • ANSI B11.13, Safety Requirements for the Construction, Care, and Use of Single- and Multiple- Spindle Automatic Screw/Bar and Chucking Machines;
  • ANSI B15.1, Safety Standard for Mechanical Power Transmission Apparatus.
  • American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Industrial Ventilation Manual - A Manual of Recommended Practice.

Procedure:
All Departments shall ensure that the person appointed as supervisor is qualified and competent.

No person shall operate or instruct to operate a machine unless they are qualified and competent and authorized by the Supervisor and the appropriate guards are in place.

No person shall modify or disable any protective guards.

Physical Plant is responsible for ensuring that guards on facility equipment and machines, operated by Physical Plant personnel, are kept in original working order and used as prescribed. Machines located in academic areas, are under the responsibility of the Lab/Shop Director or Department Head. As such, Lab/Shop Directors and/or Department Heads shall ensure that trained staff and students operate them and that the guards are in working order and used as prescribed.

Any unguarded machine shall be reported immediately to the supervisor. The student/staff member shall under no circumstances, use an unguarded machine. The Supervisor shall be responsible for organizing or replacing damaged or missing guards. All such machines will be locked out until proper guards are installed.

Personal protective equipment shall be worn by all employees and students as prescribed by the Supervisor.

All employees shall forward any student concerns to their Supervisor. All employees and students are responsible for complying with all aspects of this policy.

Guidelines:
Each Department shall have detailed procedures on site for working with each piece of machinery. Procedures shall include, but not limited to:

  1. An inventory of machinery requiring guards;
  2. Procedures for safe work;
  3. Personal protection equipment required while working with the machine;
  4. Use and meaning of warning devices;
  5. Use and meaning of warning signs;
  6. Applicable legislation, CSA standards and other relevant guidelines.


Machines that require guarding shall be regularly inspected by the supervisor or competent designate. Record of the inspection and conditions of the machine and guard shall be noted and available to any staff utilizing the machinery. Recommended inspection checklist (but not limited to);

  1. Is the guard in proper working condition?
  2. Is the guard securely installed?
  3. Does the guard prevent contact (human, objects) with all moving parts of the machine?
  4. Is the guard sufficient to contain the impact of broken pieces of moving machinery?
  5. Is the guard free of sharp edges or other hazards?
  6. Can the guard be safely handled during maintenance?
  7. Is the guard tamper resistant?
  8. Can the machinery be inspected/maintained without removing the guard?

Any person who works with or near any machine shall receive specific initial orientation on each machine (including newly installed machines) and every two years thereafter. The Supervisor shall train students using machines. Employees performing maintenance on any machine shall also be machine guard trained each year.

Training includes but is not limited to:

  • Description and identification of the hazards associated with each piece of machinery;
  • The safeguards on the machinery, how they protect, hazards which they protect against and how to use them;
  • The procedure to follow if a safeguard is damaged, missing or unable to provide adequate protection.
  • Proper dress (i.e. no loose-fitting clothes and jewelry as applicable).
  • All training must be recorded and placed in the employees personnel file.

Evaluation:
This policy shall be reviewed by the Health and Safety Officer – Human Resources and the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee on an annual basis.