Health and Safety A-Z
Topic: Machinery, Equipment and Devices
Summary:
Machinery, equipment, devices, gears, motors, tools, etc….most have moving parts in addition to electrical, thermal, chemical, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, gravitational and other hazards.
Modern machinery and equipment tends to be well guarded and sold with instruction and operating manuals that provide clear instruction for safe use. It is important to follow the information contained in these guides. Operating and maintaining such equipment is usually relatively straightforward.
Machinery (equipment, device, etc. ) safety becomes much more complex if:
The equipment is older and doesn’t have the guards, emergency shut-off switches and similar safety devices required by current legislation
Manuals are limited or no longer available (not uncommon with older equipment)
Service or repair requires removal or deactivation of a safety device
The equipment itself (i.e. the entire unit) can pose a hazard, two common examples being mobile equipment or a lifting device
In most cases a machine guarding, safeguarding, and/or lockout program will be required where these conditions apply.
For Information See:
Additional Resources:
O. Reg. 851, Industrial Establishments, especially s. 24 – 44, 72 – 78
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Machinery
Last Revised:November 3, 2015