NEP_AMP_MachineGuarding_Lacrosse Safety Council-June 26_2024

Machine Guarding-OSHA Emphasis on Amputation

Operating machinery or equipment can be extremely dangerous when it is not properly guarded or maintained.  Injuries involving machinery or equipment often result in death or permanent disability.  OSHA’s enforcement history shows that employees performing servicing and maintenance on machinery or equipment are often injured when no machine guarding is present, or Lockout procedures are not utilized. Several OSHA Emphasis Programs address Machine Guarding such as “Amputations in Manufacturing Industries” and “Food Processing.”  These inspections, along with “report of severe injuries’ (amputations) have put Machine Guarding and Lockout in the top 5 most frequently cited violations for General Industry.  The presentation will review what OSHA is finding and what is the expectation for eliminating the ‘caught in’ hazard created by machinery.

Presenter: Mary Bauer

Mary Bauer is the Compliance Assistance Specialist – CAS - in the Eau Claire Area OSHA Office. She has a bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire and holds certifications for CSP (Certified Safety Professional) and CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist). Ms Bauer was a Compliance Officer in the Eau Claire area for 20 years and has been the CAS for the past 18 years. Mary provides general information about OSHA standards and compliance assistance resources. She responds to requests for help from a variety of groups, including small businesses, trade associations, union locals, and community groups