Moving machinery is everywhere! Construction equipment, production machinery, process equipment, transportation devices such as automobiles and bicycles, home shop and yard equipment, and even office photocopiers contain moving parts to be avoided.
If it revolves, swings, spins, slides, opens, closes, or moves in any way at all, it can hurt or kill you. We often think about fingers or other extremities that might get caught in machinery, however a person could be dragged into many pieces of equipment and be injured or crushed even before they have a chance to cry out for help.
How should you protect yourself around moving equipment?
- Be thoroughly trained in the safe operation of the equipment.
- Do not remove safety guards – they are there to protect you.
- Do not wear loose fitting clothes, jewelry or long hair that could be entangled or pull you into running machinery.
- Follow safe work practices for the safe operation of machinery.
- Follow correct lockout procedures to prevent unintentional start-up during adjustment or repairs.
- Be aware of all stored energy sources.
- Be alert to your surroundings and how close you are to moving equipment.
- Report any unsafe conditions.
“The safety gears are between your ears.”
