Machine and Equipment Safety
Rotating equipment or apparatus that can trap clothing, hair, or body parts include: vacuum pumps, centrifuges, mechanical stirrers and rotary evaporators; hazardous grinding, drilling, and cutting equipment in shops.
All machines consist of three fundamental areas; the point of operation, the power transmission device, and the operating controls. Despite all machines having the same basic components, their safeguarding needs widely differ due to varying physical characteristics and operator involvement.
The following OSHA Standards have been established to ensure the safety of machine operators and other employees in the area:
- Machine Guarding
- Point of Operation Guarding
- Additional Guarding
- Exposure of Blades
- Anchoring Fixed Machinery
- Eye and Face Protection
- Lockout/Tagout
Prior to operating a piece of equipment or machinery, an operator must be formally trained and authorized to operate that specific piece of equipment. Operators must not remove guards or tamper with safety interlock devices. All machine operators must be equipped with appropriate personal protective devices: glasses, gloves, goggles or face shield.
Additional Machine Guarding Resources
The following resources aid in recognizing and evaluating machine guarding hazards and provide guidelines for control measures.
Mission Statement
The Risk Unit is responsible for evaluating loss exposures, assessing liability, handling claims, promoting internal controls and developing effective safety and health programs. The corporate and student insurance plans are managed by this unit.
