Elevator Machine Safeguarding

Adding machine safeguarding to your elevator machine room is a simple way to prevent injuries sustained during maintenance, repair, etc. Common injuries can include crushed hands and arms, severed fingers and limbs, lacerations and abrasions - the list of machinery-related injuries is long and horrifying.

Safeguards are essential for protecting workers from needless and preventable injuries. Also, is will help keep you in compliance with Osha and State regulations. A good rule to remember is: any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury must be safeguarded.

Effective machine safeguarding should:

• Prevent employee contact with the hazard area during machine operation.
• Avoid creating additional hazards.
• Be secure, tamper-resistant, and durable.
• Avoid interfering with normal operation of the machine.
• Allow for safe lubrication and maintenance.

Two types of compliant safeguarding can be employed to achieve these goals. (1) Global guarding can block an entire area from entry, and enclose all hazards within that area. (2) Component guarding places individual covers and guards on hazardous machine parts.

Machine safeguarding must also be supplemented by an effective energy control (lockout/tagout) program that ensures that employees are protected from hazardous energy sources during machine servicing and maintenance work activities.

Call Elevator Control Service today to learn more about elevator machine safety and guarding.