Machine Safety: What are your 2014 New Year machine safety resolutions?

Will 2014 be another year of the same or do you have a list of New Year resolutions for machine safety? Here are three machine safety ideas on which to focus this year, based on key OSHA violations.

By JB Titus January 12, 2014

Will 2014 be another year of the same, or do you have a list of New Year Resolutions for machine safety?

When looking at industry from the 30,000 foot level and reviewing annual reports like OSHA’s Top 10 Violations for 2013 it becomes readily apparent to me that more can be done for machine safety. This OSHA report alone gives me some resolution ideas to consider for 2014.

Have you made your list of 2014 resolutions? Consider these three machine safety resolutions for 2014:

1. Lockout / tagout (LO/TO) – resolve to ensure that all involved personnel are trained on all dangers, proper procedures and forms for accurate record keeping. Inspect all locks and signage for accuracy and proper operation. Check and approve all personnel assignments authorized to perform LO/TO. Ensure that the “Safety Policy” requires and encourages the performance of LO/TO. Celebrate your organization’s use of company LO/TO procedures when performed.

2. Machine guarding – resolve to ensure that all machine guards are properly applied to all hazards and that up to date procedures are in place for use. Ensure that all involved personnel are properly trained on the hazards and use of all guards (hard, electronic, optical, electrical, flexible, removable, etc.). Check your “Safety Policy” to make sure that it is up to date and applies to all operations and machinery. Validate that all guards are functioning properly without false diagnostics including any fault exclusions. Celebrate your organization’s use of company machine guarding procedures when performed.

3. Risk assessment and hazard mitigation – for various violation or citations, resolve to apply risk assessment procedures and requirements on all machines in compliance with regulations. Insure that all identified hazards are properly mitigated to acceptable hazard levels and that these steps are properly documented per regulation requirements. Check the company “safety policy” to make sure that risk assessment and hazard mitigation are properly addressed for achieving compliance and company objectives.

These are some of my first thoughts for New Year machine safety resolutions based on reviewing OSHA’s Top 10 Violations for 2013. Why not create a longer list by submitting some of your ideas and perspectives? Add your comments or thoughts to the discussion by submitting your ideas, experiences, and challenges in the comments section below.

Related articles:

Machine Safety: OSHA’s top 10 cited violations for 2013

Machine Safety – what are fault exclusions?

ASSE – Professional Safety Journal- Near-Miss Reporting, May 2013

Machine Safety – does OSHA reference consensus standards for compliance?

Machine Safety: Is OSHA okay with my ‘acceptable’ risk mitigation?

Contact: https://www.jbtitus.com for “Solutions for Machine Safety”.