Factors to Consider When Choosing Machine Guards
There is hardly a firm or industry today that can operate smoothly without machines, the only problem is these machines expose workers to a lot of risks resulting in injuries. Machine guards are important for all companies and firms that rely on them since their potential for work injury are very high because of the numerous risks they expose workers too. In as much as machine guards are meant to safeguard your workers, that will only be possible if you have the right ones in place. Continue reading to learn how you can choose machine guards.
Consider the machine guard’s ability to protect your workers from maximum machine hazards; a good machine guard should be able to protect your employees from more than one machine hazard, both mobile and electrically charged parts. Unlike most things and purchases you will make for your firm, machine guards are not optional and should be installed around all heavy machines that pose a threat to safety of workers, therefore, you should consider the compliance of the machine with applicable standards.
Like the machines running in your industry or firm, those guards will require frequent maintenance to function as efficient protective shields, therefore, always consider the ease of maintaining the guard without removing it from its position to avoid compromising its functionality. Buying An inappropriate machine guard means you will be adding more risks to your workplace and putting your workers in more danger, therefore, always assess the additional risks that like cutting edges, burrs or irregularities on the body of the guard to be sure it will perform its role efficiently.
Try to select a machine guard that minimizes the interference it will have when it comes to your workers doing their work; ideally, a good machine guard should be able to protect your workers from all the hazards without interfering with the way they do their work to uphold the levels of productivity in your firm. Consider the ease of removing the machine guard you want to buy; a good machine guard should be a protective shield for your employees but this may not be the case if they feel it is interfering with the way they work and may attempt to remove, to prevent such a situation you should buy a machine guard that is impossible to remove.
How efficient the machine guard will be should be determined during the purchasing process; it is good to ensure the machine will protect everyone and everything from the danger zone when the machine is operational. Objects falling into the machine can cause serious damage to the machinery and compromise its safe operation, so ensure the guard you buying is capable of preventing that. If you want to buy the best machine guards that will protect your investments, consider the tips discussed above.