Machine operators can work safely and efficiently when appropriate guarding and safety measures are in place. However, bypassing or disabling these safety features often leads to serious injuries or even death. Operators must understand the power and risks of their equipment and adhere to safety protocols. Injuries like crushed hands, severed fingers, or even blindness can be prevented through the use of proper machine guarding, safety devices, and safe work practices.

Objectives for Workers:

• Identify Hazardous Parts: Recognize sources of potential amputations.
• Understand Safeguarding Methods: Learn about machine parts that pose dangers and how to protect against them.
• Follow Safety Standards: Know and adhere to OHS Act standards.

Common Reasons for Accidents:

• Entering to clear a machine while in operation.
• Failing to use lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures when electrical boards are exposed.
• Unauthorised individuals operating or maintaining machinery.
• Missing or loose machine guards.

Why Machines Aren’t Safeguarded:

• Equipment comes without guards.
• Guards obstruct workflow or are bypassed for convenience.
• Assumptions that nobody will reach inside the machine.

Dangerous Machine Parts and Motions:

• Parts: Include flywheels, pulleys, belts, gears, and feed mechanisms.
• Motions: Rotating, reciprocating, transverse, cutting, punching, shearing, and bending are all high-risk.

Risk of Amputation:

Tasks like assembly, maintenance, and removing blockages increase amputation risks, especially when machinery is unguarded. Power tools, compactors, and electrically live equipment also pose significant risks.

Crush Hazards Control:

Employers must ensure all machinery is suitable for use, installed correctly, and equipped with guards to protect against dangerous moving parts. LOTO procedures are essential for safely handling machines during repairs and maintenance.

Machine Guarding Types:

• Fixed Guards: Permanent barriers protecting from moving parts.
• Interlocked Guards: Stop machine operation when opened or removed.
• Adjustable Guards: Move to allow for various production tasks.
• Self-Adjusting Guards: Automatically adjust based on material size.

Techniques for Protection:

• Physical Guards: Prevent access to dangerous parts.
• Safety Devices: Stop machines when hands or other body parts are near danger zones.
• Administrative Controls: Include signage, training, and work protocols.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Essential for safe operation.

Machine Safety Responsibilities:

• Supervisors must ensure machinery is guarded, maintained, and inspected regularly.
• Employees should report any issues with machine guards and not operate equipment unless safety measures are in place.

Operator Training:

Workers must receive thorough training on machine hazards, the purpose of safeguards, how to use them properly, and what to do if they are missing or malfunctioning.

Machine safety measures are vital to preventing injuries. Proper guarding, training, and following LOTO procedures are critical to protecting employees from hand crush injuries, electric shock, and other risks. Always consult the OHS Act and your supervisor if in doubt.