Guarding metal cutting guillotines
A Health and Safety Solution
Guarding metal cutting guillotines What is the problem? Metal cutting guillotines that are not guarded or have been installed with ineffective guards.
What are the risks? Unguarded guillotines allow workers to access the clamps or cutting blade in front of or behind the machine. This can happen when trying to remove stuck or off-cut pieces of metal sheet from the machine or during maintenance activities. Accessing the clamps can cause injuries, such as crushed fingers and trapped hands, while the descending guillotine blade can cause amputations and lacerations. During maintenance or setting activity, when the machine is switched off, the blade can still descend due to gravity.
What is a solution to the problem? Guillotines must be guarded. The following guards (or a combination of these) are the most effective to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury: • Fitted guards – A fitted guard is installed at the front of the machine. This should be designed so it is adjustable to allow for cutting materials of different thickness and so the operator can see the material being cut. The guard should not be able to be removed (eg it should require a special tool to remove it). • Interlocked guards – An interlocked guard can be fitted to the front of the machine. This stops the guillotine operating when the guard is not in position. • Presence-sensing guards – These include light curtains to prevent a person coming near the hazardous parts of the guillotine. If the guard detects a presence, the guillotine immediately stops.
The sides and rear of the guillotine should also be guarded with fixed or interlocked guarding. A chute can be installed to allow cut metal sheets to be retrieved without accessing hazardous areas. As well as guarding, ensure the operator foot pedal is shrouded to prevent an accidental start-up. This applies to both fixed and floating foot pedals. Fixed activation bars across the front of the machine should be positioned at a sufficient height to prevent accidental activation. It is important to follow manufacturer instructions carefully when changing the guillotine blade. The process usually involves blade handles or slides and supports for safe removal. Each worker must understand and be able to demonstrate safe operation of the guillotine. No worker should operate the guillotine unless they are properly trained and supervised. Records of provided training should be kept as verification. Regular maintenance should be carried out in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Inspections and maintenance should be documented, including the testing of presence-sensing guards by a competent person such as an electrician. A history of maintenance records should be kept while the machinery is in use.
Further Information WorkSafe Advisory Service
Toll-free: 1800 136 089 Email: [email protected] worksafe.vic.gov.au Australian Standard
AS 4024.1 – 2006: Safety of machinery
( Health and Safety Solution continued overleaf.) HSS0119/02/08.10
6397 VWA HSS Guillotines.indd 1
1/9/10 3:09:57 PM
A Health and Safety Solution
The problem
The solution
An unguarded metal cutting guillotine puts workers at risk of serious injuries. No foot pedal shrouding allows an accidental start-up.
Fitted guarding prevents access to the guillotine clamps and cutting blade. An emergency stop button should be within close reach of the operator and a shrouded foot pedal reduces the risk of an accidental start-up.
2
6397 VWA HSS Guillotines.indd 2
1/9/10 3:09:58 PM
Guarding metal cutting guillotines What is the problem? Metal cutting guillotines that are not guarded or have been installed with ineffective guards.
What are the risks? Unguarded guillotines allow workers to access the clamps or cutting blade in front of or behind the machine. This can happen when trying to remove stuck or off-cut pieces of metal sheet from the machine or during maintenance activities. Accessing the clamps can cause injuries, such as crushed fingers and trapped hands, while the descending guillotine blade can cause amputations and lacerations. During maintenance or setting activity, when the machine is switched off, the blade can still descend due to gravity.
What is a solution to the problem? Guillotines must be guarded. The following guards (or a combination of these) are the most effective to reduce or eliminate the risk of injury: • Fitted guards – A fitted guard is installed at the front of the machine. This should be designed so it is adjustable to allow for cutting materials of different thickness and so the operator can see the material being cut. The guard should not be able to be removed (eg it should require a special tool to remove it). • Interlocked guards – An interlocked guard can be fitted to the front of the machine. This stops the guillotine operating when the guard is not in position. • Presence-sensing guards – These include light curtains to prevent a person coming near the hazardous parts of the guillotine. If the guard detects a presence, the guillotine immediately stops.
The sides and rear of the guillotine should also be guarded with fixed or interlocked guarding. A chute can be installed to allow cut metal sheets to be retrieved without accessing hazardous areas. As well as guarding, ensure the operator foot pedal is shrouded to prevent an accidental start-up. This applies to both fixed and floating foot pedals. Fixed activation bars across the front of the machine should be positioned at a sufficient height to prevent accidental activation. It is important to follow manufacturer instructions carefully when changing the guillotine blade. The process usually involves blade handles or slides and supports for safe removal. Each worker must understand and be able to demonstrate safe operation of the guillotine. No worker should operate the guillotine unless they are properly trained and supervised. Records of provided training should be kept as verification. Regular maintenance should be carried out in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Inspections and maintenance should be documented, including the testing of presence-sensing guards by a competent person such as an electrician. A history of maintenance records should be kept while the machinery is in use.
Further Information WorkSafe Advisory Service
Toll-free: 1800 136 089 Email: [email protected] worksafe.vic.gov.au Australian Standard
AS 4024.1 – 2006: Safety of machinery
( Health and Safety Solution continued overleaf.) HSS0119/02/08.10
6397 VWA HSS Guillotines.indd 1
1/9/10 3:09:57 PM
A Health and Safety Solution
The problem
The solution
An unguarded metal cutting guillotine puts workers at risk of serious injuries. No foot pedal shrouding allows an accidental start-up.
Fitted guarding prevents access to the guillotine clamps and cutting blade. An emergency stop button should be within close reach of the operator and a shrouded foot pedal reduces the risk of an accidental start-up.
2
6397 VWA HSS Guillotines.indd 2
1/9/10 3:09:58 PM
