6.7. Key Points

– Machines are important but they have hazards that can cause serious injuries/fatalities. They have both mechanical and non-mechanical hazards.

– Hazardous mechanical motions are rotating, reciprocating and transversing while hazardous actions are cutting, punching, shearing and bending.

– Machine guarding is an engineering control that is most effective. But when machine guarding is not present or do not offer enough protection, workers should wear protective clothing/equipment.

– Machine guarding offers maximum protection when used in accordance to the general requirements of the standard – RULE 1200 of the OSHS.