Preventing Compliance Issues with Safety Scales
June 19, 2024
Preventing Compliance Issues with Safety Scales
Avoiding employee injuries and risks in the workplace is essential for any industrial or manufacturing company. There are many hazardous industrial machines (such as presses, pumps, motors, or drills) that present risks to operators and employees alike. That’s why finding the right machine safety solutions is so essential.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all machines be secured with physical safeguards—and it’s up to your company to ensure you comply with all relevant safety standards. Safety scales are a simple, cost-effective way to check for basic compliance issues. By using the right safety scale during installation, maintenance, and inspection, you can reduce the risk of employee injury and downtime.
Safety Scales for Point of Operation
A physical barrier can be installed to help prevent unnecessary injuries and accidents, as well as ensure compliance for OSHA safety standards and regulations. When properly installed, a physical barrier prevents the operator from placing any part of their body into the point of operation by reaching through, over, under, or around the guard to access the hazard.
Barrier guards are often constructed out of materials such as wire mesh, expanded metal, or rods. These types of materials have openings that have the potential to injure the operator if he or she reaches through them. As a result, any openings must be measured for compliance with OSHA or ANSI standards to maintain a secure distance from the hazard.
At Stronghold Safety Engineering, we understand the importance of compliance, not only to avoid citations or fines, but to protect employees. That’s why we offer two solutions for point-of-operation safety scales. These solutions include:
This yellow-colored, three-section folding scale has English units (inches) on both sides. It includes the maximum permissible opening of six inches, made out of anodized aluminum, and has easy-to-read text and graphics that won’t rub or scratch off. This solution ensures compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.217.
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.217(c)(1)(i), if the point-of-operation opening on a mechanical press is 1/4" or less, a guard is not required. This unique point-of-operation opening safety scale can be used for assessments in accordance with OSHA, ANSI, and CSA (Canadian Standards Association) machine safety standards.
Safety Scales for Sanders and Bench Grinders
OSHA requires that employers provide a workplace free of recognized hazards that contribute to serious injury or death. Sanders (also known as grinders when used on metal) have moving belts and rotating discs that have the potential to snag, cut, dismember, or entrap—causing serious injury. In order to ensure compliance with OSHA standards, shields or safeguards must be used and tables must be within 1/8" of the belt and disc to help prevent fingers or workpieces from becoming caught between the moving abrasive and the table.
The bronze-colored Danray Sander Safety Scale from Stronghold can be used to verify that the openings between the belt, disc, and tables are 1/8" or less. This scale is made out of durable anodized aluminum, with easy-to-read text and graphics. About the size of a credit card, this scale is convenient to carry and simple to store. There’s also a hole for easy attachment to sanders.
Bench grinders can pose serious risks to the operator, making physical safeguarding essential. Unfortunately, due to improperly adjusted work rests and tongues on bench grinders, it is one of the most frequently cited OSHA violations. According to OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.215(a)(4), work rests must be kept closely adjusted to the wheel. The maximum opening of 1/8" prevents the workpiece from being jammed between the wheel and the rest, potentially causing wheel breakage.
The Danray Bench Grinder Safety Scale from Stronghold helps ensure that work rests and tongues comply with OSHA and ANSI standards. Because this is one of the most common OSHA violations, it’s critical to ensure compliance in order to avoid citations or fines—and to keep employees safer. This solution includes a ruler on the back edge to measure openings, along with a hole for easy attachment to bench grinders.
Safety Scales for Fan Guards
Exposure to a fan’s blades can present a serious hazard to workers. According to OSHA standards, if the periphery of the blades of a fan is less than seven feet above the floor or working level, the blades must be guarded. The guard should have openings that are no larger than a half an inch.
The Danray Fan Guard Safety Scale from Stronghold is a tool that helps check for compliance regarding fans. This blue-colored, anodized aluminum scale has easy-to-read graphics and texts. Additionally, its small size makes for convenient storing with a hole for attachment to fans.
Solutions from Stronghold
Safety standards and regulations are always changing, so it’s important to stay up to date. And with Stronghold’s variety of solutions, you’ll never be without the proper safety scale. If you’re not sure where to start, Stronghold Safety can help with our range of industrial safety products and services. Don’t wait any longer; contact us today to get started on building a safer workplace.