Machine Guarding and Safety Hazards: Importance, Types, and Modern Designs

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MACHINE GUARDING AND SAFETY HAZARDS
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Introduction
Machine guarding is a safety mechanism in an engineering workshop or a manufacturing plant
whereby, a shield or a device covers the dangerous areas or parts of a machine to avoid making
contact with the human body or to prevent hazardous materials like sparks or chips from
reaching the body. Machine guarding is usually the first line of defense, protecting workers and
machine operators from harm while operating machinery in normal operations.
It is among the most crucial concepts for safety in an industrial or manufacturing plant. If
machine guarding is practiced properly, it will safeguard workers working with hazardous
machines as well as those working in potentially dangerous work areas.
Safety hazards
Safety hazards refer to unsafe conditions or factors that put a worker at risk of getting harm,
injury, illness or even death (Parker et al., 2015). They are very common in workplaces. Each
and every workplace has its safety hazard. Discussed below are some of the safety hazards
experienced in workplaces.
Tripping hazards
These are cords, cables running on the floor. Fluid spills on the floor also cause this type of
hazard. These hazards may block ways or make the floor of the working area slippery and may
make workers fall down on the floor or on the machines (Parker et al., 2016).

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Heights
Working from heights is a safety hazard. They include roofs, ladders, scaffolds or any other
raised working area. Workers must, therefore, take precaution to avoid dangerously falling from
the heights (Brauer., 2016).
Unguarded equipment
Unguarded equipment especially the moving parts are a threat to the well-being of the worker.
They include parts of the machinery, either moving or stationery that can be touched by the
worker.
Electrical hazards
These are hazards related to the electrical connections of the work area and that of the
machinery. They include bare cables, poor grounding, and improper wiring and many more.
These electrical hazards may cause deadly electrocutions or burns on the operators or may even
start a fire in the work area.
Confined Spaces
Smaller work areas with no space allowance give the equipment operators little space to escape
in case of an incident. Work areas should be spacious enough for the worker and allow room for
an emergency escape (Yamin et al., 2014).
Radiations
Certain radiation, especially the high-frequency radiations are harmful to humans. They include
X-rays, gamma rays, UV radiation and many others. Workers should wear protective gear and
stay away from radiation paths when operating such machines (Chinniah., 2015).

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Extreme temperature
Certain work areas, for example, metal smelting industries, some work areas experience
extremely high temperature. Workers must wear safety garments to keep safety in those
environments. Same applies to extremely cold conditions.
Chemical hazards
Certain machinery operates with chemicals. These chemicals may cause breathing problems,
skin irritation, illnesses or even deaths. Chemicals range from mild to explosive ones.
Though, some people are more sensitive to chemicals including the mild ones.
Constant loud noise
The human ear can accommodate sound up to some decibels, after which it becomes noise.
Constant noise may lead to permanent damage to the ear. Workers working in work areas with
constant loud noise should wear ear mugs for protection.
Laser beams
High-intensity laser beams are harmful to humans. They may cause permanent eye damage
as well as skin irritation. Workers operating in high-intensity laser beam work areas should
wear protective eyewear and cover body parts avoid laser accidents (Pavlovic and
Fragassa., 2016).