Why it is necessary? The need for machine guarding may be found in machine shops / any industries/ maintenance shops, printing press, and other areas.. It is sharing of knowledge. By Bimal Chandra Das / Kolkata / Bokaro

1. MACHINE GUARDING
The common source of mechanical hazards are unguarded shafting, shaft ends, belt drives,
gear train projections on rotating parts, chain and sprocket drives any exposed part of
machine or power driven equipment which rotate rapidly or have considerable power and
may catch the worker (clothing, finger, hair) targeting him in the machine before he can
free himself. The exposed part of machine may have scissors like effect on anything caught
between it.
The elimination of hazards from shafting, belting, gearing and other risks in moving
machines is a problem of completely guarding the hazardous condition in it. It generally
requires that the point of hazard is substantially enclosed, screened, barricaded or otherwise
protected so that persons can not inadvertently come in contact with danger point.
Wherever there is a possibility that persons may come in contact with the dangerously
moving mechanical parts it is necessary to isolate the point of hazard by safely enclosing
them or by screening them off so that workers can not come in dangerous proximity of
them. Ordinarily, moving parts are considered a hazard if they are within a lateral reach of
7 ft. or less above ground level. Guards therefore should be provided to block personnel
from mechanical power transmission equipment.
The basic requirement of machine guarding are:
1. It must be sturdy to prevent damage to the guard from external sources or interference
with the operation of machine. Either of these possibilities would probably result in
removing the guard and not arranging to have it repaired or replaced.
2. It must permit required maintenance/operation without necessitating excessive labour
for dismantling and reassembling the guard or else there will be tendency to omit its
installation.
3. It must be rigidly mounted to prevent objectionable rattles or interference with working
parts. The mounting should be strong enough not to fail when in use.
4. It should be designed so that there are no detachable part which if removed and not
replaced would reduce its guarding effectiveness.
5. It should be easy to inspect during periodic check up program as a part of maintenance
procedure
Benefits
1. The prime benefit of good guarding is that in many instances it improves production.
As long as operators are afraid of their machine or are afraid of getting close to moving
parts they cannot pay strict attention to their production responsibilities.
2. Well designed and carefully maintained guards assure workers that management means
what it says about accident prevention. They become more inclined to contribute to the
safety effort by working safely.
3. Wherever moving parts are left exposed objects may fall into them and get caught in
them, damage the machine or material in process. Such damage may cause expensive
shutdown and loss of production.