Power transmission equipment guarding

Machines Power Transmission Equipment Guards in place good condition Unguarded dangers Controls - Clearly identified coded - prevent unintended activation - emergency stops near workers Power transmission items guarded Energized equipment lock-out capable ... 

Mechanical power transmission equipment that is out of reach of people may not require guards. Various standards set the minimum distance required from a floor or walking surface to overhead mechanical power transmission apparatus. The minimum distance is often about 8 ft. Most people would not be likely to contact or reach above this distance. Anthropometric reach data can also establish safe distances from people to danger points. Distances to danger points within reach require guarding. There may be overhead or enclosing screens, walls or fences that create safe locations. These barriers must be permanent and substantial. Only trained workers should have access to the enclosed locations. 

Power-transmission apparatus located in basements. All mechanical power transmission apparatus located in basements, towers, and rooms used exclusively for power transmission equipment shall be guarded in accordance with this section, except that the requirements for safeguarding belts, pulleys, and shafting need not be complied with when the following requirements are met ... 

Figure 13-6. Examples of power transmission guards. (From MSHA s Guide to Equipment Guarding, 1980.)...

Belts, gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, spindles, drums, fly wheels, chains, or other reciprocating, rotating, or other moving parts or equipment shall be guarded if such parts are exposed to contact by employees, or otherwise create a hazard. Guarding shall meet the requirements of the American National Standards Institute B 15.1-1958 Rev., Safety Code for Mechanical Power Transmission Apparatus. 

---