Machine Guarding/Lockout


The requirement for risk assessments is one of the biggest changes in the new RIA standard. (Rockford Systems, LLC photo)

I, COBOT: The Rise of Industrial Robotics and the Need for Employee Safeguarding

In general, OSHA's view on robot safety is that if the employer is meeting the requirements of ANSI/RIA R15.06, the manufacturer has no issues.

Citation Appealed in Washington State Amputation Case

The penalty for the repeat-serious lockout/tagout violation was $52,800; L&I has cited the employer four times in three years for similar violations, with three of them involving a finger amputation.

One Tall Order

Wind turbines are getting larger and larger. Some turbines' nacelles can be about 160 meters—about 525 feet—above the ground, and the blades can be about 75 meters long.

The 2016 standard was written to be scalable to meet the needs of both large and small companies with varying levels of technology present in their machinery and processes.

Controlling Hazardous Energy with Lockout/Tagout—Common Challenges and Best Practices

We have found that only about 10 percent of companies run effective lockout programs. In fact, we have observed that up to three-out-of-ten employers have no lockout program at all.

Fine Assessed in 'Horrific' UK Fatality

A British recycling company has been fined about $1.1 million and two individuals were given suspended prison sentences for the death of an employee who was pulled onto a conveyor and into an industrial waste shredder.

OSHA Cites Mississippi Company, Issues $220,544 in Penalties

The company was cited for two willful, seven serious, and five other-than-serious violations, according to the agency's news release.

20 Nonprofits Get MIOSHA Grants

"We're pleased to award these grants to employer groups, labor organizations, and other non-profits that have demonstrated innovation and diversity in their training programs," MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman said. "We appreciate the collaborative effort of these grantees and their mutual commitment toward preventing workplace injuries and illnesses."

Massachusetts Companies Agree to Penalty, Changes in OSHA Lockout Case

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Shield Packaging will pay $150,000 in penalties, provide documentation to OSHA that all hazards have been corrected, retain a professional engineer to approve the design and installation of a safety interlock on the machine that injured the worker, retain a qualified safety consultant to perform a comprehensive inspection of the plant, and develop a workplace safety and health program.



Washington State Adopts Tower Worker Safety Rules

L&I said the most important change is a new wireless section that covers non-ionizing radiation. The rules contain requirements covering expected hazards of tower work, host employer/contractor responsibilities, microwave/laser technology, control of hazardous energy, working during darkness, fall protection, remote cell tower sites, and emergency response and rescue.

OSHA Announces Grain Worker Safety Alliance

The two-year alliance will focus on preventing exposure to hazards associated with grain bin entry, machine guarding, respiratory protection, falls, heat exposure exposures, combustible dust, struck-by equipment, and lockout/tagout.

Checking Out the Safety+ Expo

Attendees at VPPPA's annual national conference got their first look at the exhibit floor during an Aug. 29 reception inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in downtown New Orleans.

Cintas Unit Wins MVPP Award

"It is a pleasure to recognize Cintas for its company culture that promotes excellence in workplace safety and health," said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. "Implementing best practices for increased worker safety exemplifies a true commitment among management and staff at this facility."

New York Paperboard Mill Issued 61 Citations

Carthage Specialty Paperboard faces $357,445 in penalties for more than 60 safety and health violations.

Annexes provide examples of risk assessment techniques and steps for shutting down and isolating machines or equipment, along with sample policies, guidance on using group lockout, and much more.

Interest Remains High in 'Game Changer' Z244.1-2016 Standard

The Z244.1-2016 standard attempts to help employers and safety managers prevent both violations and worker exposures to hazardous energy.

NJ Aluminum Company Fined $1.9 Million

"Despite its lengthy OSHA history, Aluminum Shapes still does not comply with federal safety and health standards," said Paula Dixon-Roderick, director of OSHA's Marlton Area Office. "These hazards leave workers vulnerable to the risk of serious injury and possible death."

OSHA Finds Safety Failures in Fatal Incident Investigation

OSHA has issued a dozen fines following the investigation into a Pensacola-area electric cable manufacturer.

"The Colorado Convention Center is a great venue," said Dan McNeill, director of professional development at ASSE. "We

ASSE's Mile High Moment

This could be the most consequential annual conference for the society in many years.

Steel Plant Cited for Machine Safety Hazards, Lead Overexposure

Republic Steel faces $279,578 in fines.

Auto Insulation Manufacturer Faces Penalties Following Worker's Injury

The Ohio company has been cited for willful violations of machine safety procedures.

Not every idea will work in every situation, but that should not deter you from engaging your shop floor experts to incorporate new tactics. (UL EHS Sustainability photo)

Lockout/Tagout: Making Sure Your Organization is All In

When it comes to LOTO, a worker may not expend the effort to get critical information or supplies if he has to go more than 20 steps or wait more than 10 seconds. This is especially true when there is intrinsic motivation to "help" the team.

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  • Preventative Heat Safety

    Dehydration and heat exposure impair physical and cognitive performance. Proper hydration boosts heat stress resilience, but hydration needs are highly individualized and hard to predict across a workforce. Connected Hydration® empowers industrial athletes to stay safe through behavioral interventions, informed by sports science, and equips safety teams with critical insights to anticipate high-risk situations and adapt to evolving environmental factors. Curious about applying the latest in sports science based hydration strategies for industrial athletes? Stop by booth #1112 at AIHA or schedule a free demo today at https://epcr.cc/demo. Read More

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