DEVIATION AND VARIANCE
3.0 PROTOCOL 3 – EQUIPMENT SAFEGUARDING
3.1 OVERVIEW
Purpose To eliminate the risk of fatalities, injuries and incidents arising from
human interaction with moving parts of machines and equipment.
Scope This protocol applies to the safeguarding of people from mobile machines,
equipment, power tools, moving equipment, high-pressure equipment, electrical equipment, stored energy, and objects projected from moving parts.
Incident causes Inadequate and inappropriate safeguarding of equipment are a source of
many incidents classified as high potential. The root causes and contributing factors of these types of incidents include:
n Absent, inadequate or ineffective guarding in place. n Working alongside unguarded moving parts.
n Lack of risk assessment or JSA to identify guarding needs. n Strike by objects projected from moving equipment. n Overridden guarding interlocks on equipment.
3.2 REQUIREMENTS
Legislation Obey all applicable OH&S legislation, standards and industry codes of
practice when involved in equipment safeguarding operations.
Safety in design Design and construct equipment safeguards to comply with applicable
local legislation, CSA standards, codes of practice and relevant recognized leading industry practices and considering maintainability and operability. Consider all energy sources and ensure that the design eliminates the need for guarding where practicable. Select safeguarding where other potential mitigation measures do not adequately protect personnel.
Machine guarding Ensure the integrity of equipment safeguarding prior to allowing
personnel into any area. Identify safeguarding hazards and where safeguarding or interlock systems are required.
Provide one or more methods of machine guarding to protect personnel from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing pinch points, rotating parts, flying objects and sparks.
Guard belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating or moving parts of equipment, when exposed, represent a hazard to personnel.
Safeguarding Select and install guards appropriate to the hazard and risk level. Monitor and control access to equipment (barricade or physically limit access to the area) if safeguarding and interlock systems are insufficient to protect people
Inspection Inspect all tools, equipment (including fall protection) and electrical
cords prior to use. They shall all be formally inspected on a quarterly basis by a qualified person and tagged or color coded.
Contractor: Contract: Inspector: Date:
Color Code January-February-March
April-May-June July-August-September October-November-December Contractor: Contract: Inspector: Date:
Color Code January-February-March
April-May-June July-August-September October-November-December Contractor: Contract: Inspector: Date:
Color Code January-February-March
April-May-June July-August-September October-November-December Contractor: Contract: Inspector: Date:
Color Code January-February-March
April-May-June July-August-September October-November-December
6845.2.1.4-EN-Rev
.0
Critical Risk Control Protocols
Selection The following table illustrates the advantages and limitations for
different types of guards (in order of preference):
Advantages Limitations
Fixed Guards Provides maximum protection and
protects even during repetitive operations. May interfere with visibility
Requires minimum maintenance Can be limited to specific operations Can be fabricated (on-site) to suit many
applications Machine adjustment and repair often require its removal, thereby necessitating other means of protection for maintenance personnel (see Protocol 4 – De-Energization)
Interlocks Shuts off or disengages power and
prevents starting of machine when guard is open
Requires careful adjustment and maintenance
Allows access to machine for removing jams without time-consuming removal of fixed guards
May be easy to disengage or override
Adjustable guards Provides a barrier, which may be adjusted
to facilitate a variety of operations
Does not provide maximum protection
Can be constructed to suit many specific
applications. May require frequent maintenance and/or adjustment Can be adjusted to admit varying sizing The operator can make the guard
Maintenance and repairs Only remove guards for maintenance and repair after the equipment has been isolated, locked out and tested in accordance with Protocol 4 – De-Energization.
For the purposes of troubleshooting, testing and commissioning, implement a JSA where the temporary removal of safeguards is necessary on operating equipment. Replace guards prior to returning the equipment back into service.
Modifications Do not modify or alter any guards except through the application of
a risk-based change management process and, if applicable, obtain approval by a professional engineer and / or the original manufacturer.
Tools Install fail-to-safe / deadman switches on all manually operated
rotating equipment (i.e. saws, lathes, drill presses, etc.).
Ensure that powered tools such as circular saws, chain saws, and percussion tools without positive accessory holding means, are equipped with a constant pressure switch that will shut off the power when the pressure is released. Never override any safety switches or devices.
Grinders Ensure all the guards are in place and secured before using any
grinder. Fasten pedestal and bench grinders securely before use. All grinders shall be equipped with a secondary handle and shall be
operated using two hands at all times.
Check that the grinding disc fits properly to the spindle when mounting. If it is loose, replace immediately. Also ensure the rated RPM of the grinding disc matches or exceeds the grinders RPM rating.
Grinding guard Adjust tool rests to within 3 mm (1/8") of wheels. Never adjust the
rest while the wheel is in motion.
Maintain 6 mm (1/4") wheel exposure with a tongue guard or a movable guard.
Work rest height should be on the horizontal centre line of the machine spindle / centre.
Personal Provide the necessary PPE to protect workers using hand and power
Protective tools and those who are exposed to the hazard of falling, flying,
Equipment (PPE) abrasive, and splashing objects, or exposed to harmful dusts, fumes,
mists, vapors, or gases.
Critical Risk Control Protocols
Wear safety glasses, goggles, and face protection to protect against flying particles and materials. Ensure impact resistant eye protection is always used. Gloves shall be worn at all times unless manual dexterity needs dictate otherwise. This must be reflected in the completed JSA and / or StepBack for the specific task. Aprons, metatarsal safety boots, and respiratory protection may also be required.
Training and Only competent persons shall work with high-energy moving and
competency rotating parts.
Implement competency-based training that addresses the following:
n Specific controls and associated risk levels.
n Emergency management and incident response procedures. n Where to access further information.
Train relevant personnel involved in the design, purchase, construction, operation and maintenance of equipment. At minimum, train all people likely to be exposed to high-energy moving and rotating parts.
Develop a training matrix to identify required courses and experience. This will serve as a visual tool for readily assessing compliance to this protocol.