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Moving Machine Parts

30 CFR 56.14107and 57.14107

30 CFR 75.1722 and 77.400

 

56/57.14107
(a) Moving machine parts shall be guarded to protect persons from contacting gears, sprockets, chains, drive, head, tail, and takeup pulleys, flywheels, couplings, shafts, fan blades, and similar moving parts that can cause injury.

(b) Guards shall not be required where the exposed moving parts are at least seven feet away from walking or working surfaces.

 

MSHA policy can be found here: 56/57.14107

 

75.1722

(a) Gears; sprockets; chains; drive, head, tail, and takeup pulleys; flywheels; couplings, shafts; sawblades; fan inlets; and similar exposed moving machine parts which may be contacted by persons, and which may cause injury to persons, shall be guarded.

(b) Guards at conveyor-drive, conveyor-head, and conveyor-tail pulleys shall extend a distance sufficient to prevent a person from reaching behind the guard and becoming caught between the belt and the pulley.

(c) Except when testing the machinery, guards shall be securely in place while machinery is being operated.

 

MSHA policy can be found here: 75.1722

 

77.400

(a) Gears; sprockets; chains; drive, head, tail, and takeup pulleys; flywheels; couplings; shafts; sawblades; fan inlets; and similar exposed moving machine parts which may be contacted by persons, and which may cause injury to persons, shall be guarded.

(b) Overhead belts shall be guarded if the whipping action from a broken line would be hazardous to persons below.

(c) Guards at conveyor-drive, conveyor-head, and conveyor-tail pulleys shall extend a distance sufficient to prevent a person from reaching behind the guard and becoming caught between the belt and the pulley.

(d) Except when testing the machinery, guards shall be securely in place while machinery is being operated.

MSHA policy can be found here: 77.400

 

These standards provide for protection against contact with certain moving machine parts.

 

Issues to Consider in Determining Compliance:

         Are moving machine parts guarded?

        Is the equipment or machinery in service?

        Does the guard prevent contact by persons?

        Does the guard extend a distance sufficient to prevent a person from reaching behind and making contact?

        Is the guard close enough to the machine part to prevent a person from getting behind the guard and making contact?

 

Other issues covered by related standards:

        Is substantial material used for construction of the guard?

        Is the guard substantially constructed?

        If the guard has been removed for maintenance, will it be replaced and effectively secured?

(56.14112 or 57.14112 - construction and maintenance of guards)

(75.1722 - mechanical equipment guards)

(77.400 - mechanical equipment guards)

-        Does the guard protect personnel from the hazardous whipping action of a broken overhead drive belt?

(56.14108 or 57.14108 - overhead drive belts)

        Do travelways have emergency stop devices or railings their entire length?

»      Are the stop devices functional?

»      Are the railings:

»      positioned to prevent persons from falling on or against the conveyor?

»      able to withstand the vibration, shock, and wear that they are subjected to during normal operations?

»      Constructed and maintained so they do not create a hazard?

(56.14109 or 57.14109 - unguarded conveyors with adjacent travelways)

        Are personnel protected from material that falls or is thrown from conveyors, crushers, or mills?

(56.14110 or 57.14110 - flying or falling material)

        Are drum covers installed on slushers to protect against backlash?

(56.14111 or 57.14111 - slusher and backlash guards)

        Are grinding machines equipped with guards or shrouds to protect against contact and potential eye hazards?

(56.14115 or 57.14115 - stationary grinding machines)