Mechanical Safety

[OHS General Regs., S. x] Follow these links
to related legislation.

Highlighted words reveal
definitions and supplementary
information when selected.

Machines with moving parts and those that could potentially entangle or trap a worker in the event of failure, are dangerous and can lead to serious injuries and death.  Employers and workers must take proper precautions. Although safeguarding is not the only tool available to prevent incidents, it's an important one.

Employer duties

Employers are responsible for making sure that all machinery is constructed in such a way that it can be used safely and that workers follow all established safety procedures when operating machinery. Do not allow machinery to be a hazard to the operator or others working nearby. The risk of an incident is significantly reduced when effective safeguarding procedures are followed.

Employers must:

  • build, install, start, operate handle, store, stop, maintain, test, adjust, repair and dismantle machinery according to the manufacturer's specifications; [OHS General Regs., S. 30.3 (1)]
  • make sure the manufacturer's rated capacity and other specified operations limitations for all or part of a machine are clearly marked on the machinery in a location that is visible to the operator. Also mark any relevant specifications certified by an engineer; [OHS General Regs., S. 30.3 (2)]
  • make sure machine operators do not exceed these specifications; and [OHS General Regs., S. 30.3 (3)]
  • make sure machinery is regularly inspected for defects and other factors that could cause injury to workers. Remove defective machinery from service until repaired. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.3 (4)]

All moving parts of machinery, equipment and tools must be effectively safeguarded unless: [OHS General Regs., S. 30.2]

  • people or objects cannot make contact with the moving parts because of where they are or how the machine is designed; or
  • the guarding would interfere with the correct use of the machinery, equipment or tool.

Worker duties

Workers are responsible for following established procedures and attending all training on how to safely operate machinery. They are responsible for using all safeguards and tools meant to eliminate or reduce the exposure to workplace hazards.

Starting Machinery

Employers must make sure operational controls are easily identified and positioned in a way so that they are guarded from unintentional activation (accidental contact). Pedals that operate a clutch or belt shifter should also be guarded so that any unintentional contact will not activate the machine. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.4(1) (2)]

Employers must also make sure that any active and idler pulley is equipped with a permanent belt shifter that has a mechanical means of preventing the belt from creeping from the idler to the active pulley. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.4 (3)]

If an operator does not have a clear view of a machine's moving parts, and other workers may be endangered by these parts, the employer must install an alarm system to alert others nearby that the machine will be starting up soon. This warning must sound before the machine is started. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.4 (4)]

Workers must also make sure:

  • Before starting machinery, and during its operation, that the machinery will not endanger anyone or cause injury. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.4 (5)]
  • Do not alter a machine's design where guards interlock with the controls to prevent its operation when guard is not in place. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.9 (4)]
  • Make sure there is way to stop a machine that is within easy and convenient reach of its operator or any workers in the immediate work area. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.5 (1)]
  • A power driven machine (that is not driven by an individual motor or prime mover) must be equipped with a clutch, idler pulley or other quick way to cut its power. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.5 (2)]

Lockout

In addition to the normal start and stop controls, the employer must make sure all electrically driven machinery and equipment has a way to disconnect the power supply that is clearly identified, lockable and a location that is known by all workers. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.6 (1)] This lockout device must have a safety lock and key to secure an energy-isolating device in a position that prevents energization of a machine, equipment, or a process. Employers are responsible for providing all equipment operators and maintenance personnel with a keyed lockout device to use in the course of their work. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.6 (2)]

Workers must be adequately trained in lockout procedures for their particular situations. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.6 (3)]

Servicing and repairs

The employer must make sure that machinery is not lubricated, cleaned, serviced or repaired while in motion, unless a means is available that does not expose the worker to a risk of injury. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.6 (4)]

Do not begin cleaning, maintenance or repairs unless the machinery or equipment is shut down and locked out using the safety lock and key provided by the employer. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.7 (1)]

Put the machinery in a zero energy state so that there are no spontaneous or unexpected actions. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.7 (1)] Zero energy is achieved by making sure all power sources, pressurized fluids or air, potential mechanical energy, accumulators and air surge tanks, kinetic energy of machine parts, loose or freely movable machine parts, and material or work pieces supported, retained or controlled by the machine which can move or cause movement, are

Afterwards, tag the lockout device. Make sure the tag is made of materials that will not conduct electricity and label it with: [OHS General Regs., S. 30.7 (1) (c)]

  • warnings not to start or operate the machinery;
  • the name and signature of the worker who locked out and put the tag on; and
  • the date the tag was put on the machinery.

Workers must always double check that the machinery is inoperative before cleaning, maintenance, or repairs are done. [OHS General Regs., S.30.7 (2)]

The worker who installed a lockout device or tag must be the person to remove it (unless in an emergency or after a competent person has verified no person will be in danger by the removal [OHS General Regs., S. 30.7 (3)]). After servicing or repairs, the worker must make sure that putting machinery back in motion will not endanger anyone. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.7 (4)]

Contact with machinery

Identify the amount of space around individual machines or process units needed to safely operate for all tasks being performed by and on the machine, including access needed to perform maintenance and repairs. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.8 (1)]

If a worker's clothing might come into contact with moving parts of machinery, workers must

  • Tie back longer hair and facial hair, if necessary;
  • Wear close fitting clothing; and
  • Avoid wearing, scarves, ties or dangling jewellery. (Medic-alert bracelets are permitted if used with transparent rubber bands that fit snugly over the bracelets.) [OHS General Regs., S. 30.8 (2)]

Safeguards

Employers must make sure that machinery has effective safeguards if a workers could come into contact with moving belts, rollers, gears, drive-shafts, keyways, pulleys, sprockets, chains, ropes, spindles, drums, counterweights, flywheels or couplings on machinery, pinch points. and cutting edges. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.9 (1)] Note that a safeguard may not be required if the machinery is equipped with an effective device that automatically stops the machinery when a person comes into contact with moving parts. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.9 (2)] If an effective guard cannot be installed, employers must make sure an alternative mechanism is used. If that is not possible, a work procedure must be approved by an officer and implemented to protect workers from exposure to any hazards associated with that machinery's lack of safeguards. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.9 (5)]

Employers must also install safeguards strong enough to contain or deflect any broken parts or particles if the machine fails. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.9 (3)]

No person may alter a machine's design where guards interlock with the controls to prevent its operation when guard is not in place. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.9 (4)]

No person may remove a safeguard or render it ineffective except when performing maintenance or adjustments to the machine. Replace the safeguard and make sure it is functioning properly before leaving the unguarded area of the machine. Use lock out procedures and tag the machine if safeguards have been removed and the machinery cannot be under the direct control of the worker. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.10]

Abrasive and grinding wheels

Employers must make sure:

Do not: [OHS General Regs., S. 30.11 (3)]

  • operate abrasive and grinding wheels at over speeds recommended by the manufacturer;
  • grind on the side of an abrasive wheel unless the wheel has been designed for that purpose; and
  • adjust a tool rest while the grinder is in motion.

Cutting or shaping machinery

Employers must provide a push stick or push block if the operation of a machine could injure the worker's hands. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.12] Workers must use the push stick or push block to feed materials into cutting or shaping machinery.

Saws

Employers must make sure stands used for lead sawyers on sawmills are protected by shields not less than 1.2 m (4 ft.) in height that are constructed of: [OHS General Regs., S. 30.13 (1)]

  • iron or steel at least 6 mm (1/4 in.) thick,
  • wooden planks at least 5 cm (2 in.) thick; and
  • other equally strong materials.

Also, employers must make sure wheels on band saws and the return portion of the blades between the upper and lower wheels are guarded by sheet metal at least than 1 mm (.04 in.) in thickness or other equally strong materials. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.13 (2)]

Employers must provide circular saws with hood guards which cover as much as of the exposed part of the saw as possible and at least to the depth of the teeth. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.13 (3)]

Tumblers

Employers must make sure that access doors in the guards or enclosures to tumbler drums are fitted with interlocks which will: [OHS General Regs., S. 30.14]

  • prevent the access doors from opening while the drums are rotating; or
  • disconnect power to the driving machinery causing the tumblers to stop, if the doors are opened.

Agitators

The employer will install guardrails on all exposed sides when the top of an open agitator, beater or paddle tank is less than 100 cm (40 in.) above the floor, walkway or work area. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.15]

Conveyors

Employers must make sure that conveyers: [OHS General Regs., S. 30.16 (1)]

  • have sufficient clearance between the material transported and fixed or moving object;
  • avoid hazardous shearing points between moving and stationary parts; and
  • are not able to feed onto another stopped conveyer.

Any power driven conveyer workers have access to must have emergency stop devices at: [OHS General Regs., S. 30.16 (2)]

  • loading and unloading stations;
  • drive and take up sections; and
  • other convenient places along the run of the conveyer.

Where workers have to access an elevated conveyer, the employer must provide a walkway with guardrails along its entire length that is at least 450 mm (18 in.). If workers must cross over the conveyer, provide crossing facilities. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.17]

Employers must also make sure:

  • If material falling from a conveyer may injure a worker, install sheet metal or screen guards under a conveyer which is not entirely enclosed. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.18 (1)]
  • A belt conveyer is provided with adequate guards extending 1 060 mm (40 in.) from the pulleys and along the sides of the conveyer where there is danger of injury to a worker. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.18 (2)]
  • To place a screw conveyer in metal troughs fitted with secured covers of not less than 3.2 mm (1/8 in.) thick metal plates in removable sections. Alternative measures are allowed if it provides equal protection. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.18 (3)]
  • When feeding a screw conveyer from the floor level, adequately guard around the opening. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.18 (3)]
  • Do not stand on the supporting frames of an open conveyer while loading, unloading or when clearing blockages. The only exception is if it is locked out. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.19 (1)]
  • Remove heavy or bulky articles by hand from a moving conveyer only at designated stations. [OHS General Regs., S. 30.19 (2)]
"safeguard" means a guard shield, guardrail, fence, gate, barrier, wire mesh or other protective enclosure, safety net, handrail or other similar equipment designed to protect the safety of employees, but does not include personal protective equipment; [EC180/87, s. 30.1]
"push stick" means a narrow strip of wood or other soft material with a notch cut into one end.

General Regulations
EC180/87

Part 30 MECHANICAL SAFETY

Section 30.2 Guarding moving parts

30.2 The employer shall ensure that all moving parts of machinery, equipment and tools shall be effectively safeguarded unless

(a) they are so constructed or located as to prevent a person or object from coming in contact with them; or

(b) the guarding would unreasonably interfere with the operation of the machinery, equipment or tool.

Section 30.3 General provisions respecting machinery

30.3 (1) The employer shall ensure that machinery is erected, installed, assembled, started, operated, used, handled, stored, stopped, serviced, tested, adjusted, maintained, repaired and dismantled in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

(2) The employer shall ensure that the manufacturer's rated capacity or other limitations on the operation of the machinery or any part of it, as set out in the manufacturer's specifications or in any relevant specifications certified by an engineer are not exceeded and are clearly marked on the machinery in a location clearly visible to the operator.

(3) An operator of machinery shall not exceed the limitations described in subsection (2).

(4) The employer shall ensure that machinery is regularly inspected for defects and machinery which could cause injury to workers is removed from service until repaired.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.4 Starting machinery

30.4 (1) The employer shall ensure that operational controls on machinery are

(a) located and protected in such a manner as to prevent unintentional activation;

(b) suitably identified so as to indicate the nature of each control mechanism.

(2) Where a pedal is used to operate a clutch or belt shifter, the employer shall ensure that it is so guarded that it cannot be struck accidentally so as to activate the machine.

(3) The employer shall ensure that each pair of active and idler pulleys is equipped with a permanent belt shifter provided with a mechanical means of preventing the belt from creeping from the idler to the active pulley.

(4) The employer shall ensure that

(a) where moving machine parts may endanger workers when the machine is started and there is not a clear view of the machine or parts from the control panel or operator's station, as alarm system is installed; and

(b) the alarm system gives an effective warning before start up of the machine so that workers are made aware of the imminent start-up.

(5) Before starting machinery, a worker shall ensure that neither he nor any other worker is endangered by its starting.

(6) While operating machinery, a worker shall ensure that neither he nor any other worker is endangered by its operation.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.5 Stopping machinery

30.5 (1) The employer shall ensure that the operator of any machine has unimpeded access in the immediate area of the workers work area to the means of stopping that machine.

(2) The employer shall ensure that every power driven machine not driven by an individual motor or prime mover is equipped with a clutch, idler pulley or other means of quickly disengaging the power sources.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.6 Lock-out

30.6 (1) The employer shall ensure that in addition to the normal control start and stop switch, all electrically driven machinery and equipment has installed in the power supply circuit a disconnecting means which is

(a) of a lockable type;

(b) in a location familiar to all; and

(c) properly identified.

(2) The employer shall provide a safety lock and key for use on disconnecting means described in subsection (1) to all machinery and equipment operators and all maintenance personnel.

(3) The employer shall ensure that a worker has been adequately trained in lockout procedures for the particular situation.

(4) The employer shall ensure that machinery is not lubricated, cleaned, serviced or repaired while in motion unless a means is available which does not expose the worker to risk of injury.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.7 Servicing

30.7 (1) Where machinery or equipment is shut down for cleaning, maintenance or repairs, the employer shall ensure that no worker carries out work on the machinery or equipment until that worker has

(a) locked out the source of energy using the safety lock and key that the employer must provide under section 30.6; and

(b) put the machine in a zero energy state by ensuring that all

(i) power sources,

(ii) pressurized fluids and air,

(iii) potential mechanical energy,

(iv) accumulators and air surge tanks,

(v) kinetic energy of machine members,

(vi) loose or freely movable machine members, and

(vii) material or workpieces supported, retained or controlled by the machine which can move or cause movement, are

(A) locked out,

(B) vented to the atmosphere,

(C) reduced to atmospheric pressure, or

(D) otherwise acted upon to render the machinery incapable of spontaneous or unexpected action;

(c) put on the control device of the machinery a tag which does not conduct electricity and which contains

(i) words directing persons not to start or operate the machinery,

(ii) the worker's printed name and signature, and

(iii) the date when the tag was put on the machinery.

(2) No worker shall carry out work on machinery or equipment shut down for cleaning, maintenance or repairs until he has complied with subsection (1) and has double checked to ensure that the machinery is inoperative.

(3) No person shall remove a lock-out device or tag except

(a) the worker who installed it; or

(b) in an emergency or where attempts made to contact the worker indicate he is not available, a competent worker designated by the employer, who has first ensured that no person will be endangered by the removal.

(4) On completion of servicing or repairs, the worker shall, before the operation of the machine is resumed, ensure that putting the machinery in motion will not endanger any person.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.8 Contact with machinery

30.8 (1) The employer shall ensure that sufficient space is provided around individual machines or process units in order to ensure the safety of workers while operations, adjustments or repairs are being carried out.

(2) Where a worker or the worker’s clothing might come into contact with moving parts of machinery, the worker shall

(a) wear close fitting clothing;

(b) confine head or facial hair; and

(c) avoid wearing dangling neckwear, jewellery, rings or similar items. *

* The wearing of medic-alert bracelets is permitted when such bracelets are used with transparent rubber bands that fit snugly over the bracelets.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.9 Safeguards

30.9 (1) Subject to this section, an employer shall provide effective safeguards where a worker may come into contact with moving belts, rollers, gears, drive-shafts, keyways, pulleys, sprockets, chains, ropes, spindles, drums, counterweights, flywheels or couplings on machinery, pinchpoints and cutting edges.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to machinery that is equipped with an effective device which stops the machinery automatically when a worker comes into contact with the parts of it mentioned in subsection (1) or prevents a worker from coming in contact with parts mentioned in subsection (1).

(3) Where there is a possibility of machine failure that may result in an injury to a worker from flying objects, the employer shall install safeguards strong enough to contain or deflect the broken parts or particles of the machinery and flying particles of any product.

(4) The employer and worker shall not alter the design where machines are designed with guards that interlock with the machinery control so as to prevent operation of the machine unless the guard is in its proper place.

(5) Where it has been determined that an effective safeguard cannot be provided, the employer shall ensure that an alternative mechanism, system or change in work procedure, approved by an officer, is put into place to protect workers from being exposed to the hazards associated with the lack of the safeguard.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.10 Removing and rendering ineffective safeguards

30.10 (1) A person shall not remove or render ineffective a safeguard, other than a removable guardrail or gate, that is required by these regulations unless the removal or rendering ineffective is necessary to enable the effecting of maintenance or adjustments.

(2) Where a person has removed or rendered ineffective a safeguard, he shall ensure that

(a) the safeguard is replaced before he leaves the unguarded area; and

(b) the safeguard will function properly.

(3) Where a safeguard for machinery has been removed or rendered ineffective and the machinery cannot be directly controlled by the worker, the worker who removes or renders ineffective the safeguard shall lock-out and tag the machine according to section 30.7.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.11 Abrasive and grinding wheels

30.11 (1) An employer shall ensure that

(a) the maximum number of revolutions per minute of an abrasive wheel or disc, as recommended for safe use in the manufacturer's specifications, is identified on the wheel or disc; and

(b) the maximum revolutions per minute of a grinder output shaft is identified on the grinder.

(2) An employer and worker shall ensure that a tool rest is installed on a fixed grinder in a manner compatible with the work process.

(3) A worker shall not

(a) operate abrasive and grinding wheels at a speed in excess of that specified by the manufacturer;

(b) do grinding on the side of an abrasive wheel unless the wheel has been designed for that purpose; or

(c) adjust a tool rest while the grinder is in motion.

(4) The employer shall ensure that abrasive and grinding wheels are fitted with protective hoods of sufficient strength to contain fragments or ruptured wheels.

(5) The employer shall ensure that abrasive or grinding wheels are checked for flaws before installation.

(6) The employer shall ensure that abrasive wheels are mounted in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.

(7) Before applying any work, the employer shall run abrasive and grinding wheels at full operating speed in accordance with grinder and wheel manufacturer's specifications.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.12 Cutting or shaping machinery

30.12 Where there is or may be a danger of injury to a worker's hands, the employer shall provide and the worker shall use a push stick or push block for feeding materials into cutting or shaping machinery.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.13 Saws

30.13 (1) The employer shall ensure that stands for lead sawyers on sawmills are protected by shields not less than 1.2 m (4 ft.) in height and constructed of iron or steel not less than 6 mm (1/4 in.) thick, wooden planks not less than 5 cm (2 in.) thick or other material of equal strength.

(2) The employer shall ensure that wheels on band saws and the return portion of the blades between the upper and lower wheels are enclosed with guards of sheet metal not less than 1 mm (.04 in.) in thickness or other material of equal strength.

(3) The employer shall ensure that circular saws are provided with hood guards which cover as much as possible of the exposed part of the saw at least to the depth of the teeth.

Section 30.14 Tumblers

30.14 The employer shall ensure that the access doors in the guards or enclosures to tumbler drums are, if there is a potential hazard to workers, fitted with interlocks which will

(a) prevent the access doors from opening while the drums are rotating; or

(b) disconnect the power from the driving machinery causing the tumblers to stop, if the doors are opened.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.15 Agitators

30.15 When the top of an open agitator, beater or paddle tank is less than 100 cm (40 in.) above the floor, walkway or work area, the employer shall ensure that guardrails are installed on all exposed sides.

Section 30.16 Conveyors

30.16 (1) The employer shall ensure that a conveyer is so constructed and installed that

(a) sufficient clearance is provided between the material transported and fixed or moving object;

(b) hazardous shearing points between moving and stationary parts are avoided;

(c) no conveyer can feed onto a stopped conveyer.

(2) The employer shall ensure that a power driven conveyer to which a worker has access is provided with emergency stop devices at

(a) loading and unloading stations;

(b) drive and take up sections; and

(c) other convenient places along the run of the conveyer.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.17 Walkways

30.17 (1) The employer shall ensure that an elevated conveyer, where worker access is necessary, is provided with a walkway along its entire length which is not less than 450 mm (18 in.) wide and is equipped with guardrails.

(2) Where a worker must cross over a conveyer, the employer shall ensure that adequate crossing facilities are provided.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.18 Guards

30.18 (1) Where there is danger of injury to a worker from material falling from a conveyer, the employer shall ensure that sheet metal or screen guards are installed under a conveyer which is not entirely enclosed.

(2) The employer shall ensure that a belt conveyer is provided with adequate guards extending 1 060 mm (40 in.) from the pulleys and along the sides of the conveyer where there is danger of injury to a worker.

(3) The employer shall ensure that a screw conveyer is placed in metal troughs fitted with secured covers of not less than 3.2 mm (1/8 in.) thick metal plates in removable sections or other equivalent protection.

(4) The employer shall ensure that when a screw conveyer is fed from the floor level, adequate safeguards are provided around the opening.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]

Section 30.19 Prohibitions

30.19 (1) Unless the conveyer is stopped and locked out, a worker shall not stand on the supporting frames of an open conveyer while loading, unloading or when clearing blockages.

(2) A worker shall remove heavy or bulky articles by hand from a moving conveyer at designated stations only.

[EC2021-126, s. 3]