It is surprising how often I have performed inspections on machine guarding and found that it was easy to reach over, under, around or through guarding that should have prevented access to the danger point or danger area.
Why does this occur?
I am sure that no-one deliberately goes out of their way to manufacture guarding that is dodgy. The problem is that there are many well many people that fabricate machine guards who simply do not have clue when it comes to standards on machine guarding.
The key standards that you need to get your head around if you are going to be involved in the design or manufacture of guarding are AS 4024.1601-2014 and AS 4024.1801-2014. Part 1601 deals with the "General requirements for design and construction of fixed and movable guards while Part 1801 deals with the "Safety distances to prevent danger zones being reached by the upper and lower limbs".
If you would like to get clued on key concepts relating to machine guarding come along to our MachineSAFE training courses.
Go forth and make your machines safe!