Contact with machinery causes injuries to labourers, metal working machine operators, machinists and printing press operators among many others.  According to WSIB data injury “hotspots” include:

• Fingers – 59% of injuries may include cuts, fractures and bruises from running equipment or being caught in machinery
• Hands – 11% of injuries may include cuts, crushing injuries and fractures from being caught in or compressed by presses or other machines
• Arms and wrists – 8% of injuries may include fractures and bruises from being caught in or struck against machinery
• Legs, ankles and feet – 7% of injuries may include bruises and fractures from being caught in or struck against machinery

Every year, 7,500 workers are injured using machines. Furthermore, 1 in 4 workplace deaths involves machines.  The most common causes include:

• disabled safety devices
• improper lockout before conducting maintenance
• failure of repair personnel to return machine controls to the proper configuration

For a quick assessment of your workplace’s prevention practices, ask yourself these questions:

• Is guarding in place and used properly?
• Is machinery in good repair and used properly?
• Are lockout procedures clear and understandable?
• Are workers and supervisors trained before work starts on machines?
• Are written job procedures available to, understood and followed by workers?
• Is required personal protective equipment in good repair and used properly?
• Are incidents and injuries investigated to find and eliminate the root causes?

Health and Safety Tips:

• Provide training on safe operating methods for all of the machinery and devices used by workers
• Make it a company policy to purchase and use machines with guards, barriers and safety devices that prevent contact with moving parts
• Do not remove guards, barriers and other safety devices
• Put procedures in place for the pre-use checks, regular inspection, and servicing of machinery
• Establish procedures for locking out all identified energy sources before any cleaning, maintenance or servicing is started

A variety of information, products and services related to machines, tools and equipment hazards is available to assist you.

Web Resources

Visit our Free Downloads section for forms, publications, tools and other resources including the following:

• Abrasive Grinding Wheels
• Air Powered Hand Tools
• Ladders
• Rolling Scaffolds
• Machines & people can be a deadly mix
• Lockout
• Preventive Maintenance
• Machine Safety
• Self-Assessment Forms:
  • Arc and Oxy-Fuel Gas Welding and Cutting
  • Bandsaw
  • Bench Grinder and Portable Grinder
  • Bending Machine
  • Cranes and Lifting Devices
  • Drill Press
  • Lift Truck
  • Non-motorized Material Handling Equipment
  • Punch Press
  • Roll Bender (Forming Machine)
  • Shearing Machine
  • Standard Lathe
  • Standard Milling Machine

Training

Our comprehensive portfolio of health and safety training solutions includes:

• Lockout
• Maintenance Safety
• Power Press Safeguarding CSA Z142-10
• Safeguarding of Machinery CSA Standard Z432-04
• Crane, Hoist and Rigging Safety
• Pre-Start Health and Safety Reviews

Products / Self Study

• Lockout/Tagout: Self-Study Training Program
  Use the program to help your employees to recognize types and sources of hazardous energy; understand common errors when it comes to locking out energy sources; learn about the roles and responsibilities of workplace parties; identify types of lockout/tagout devices; and understand and apply a 7-step procedure for proper lockout/tagout.
  
  
• Inspecting Physical Conditions: Guidelines for Setting Standards
  Look to this text for guidelines for workplace conditions, equipment hazard controls and more.
  
  
• e-Learning Training
  Increasingly, workplaces are turning to health and safety e-learning as a complement to other learning methods, such as classroom instruction, and conferences and workshops.
  
  All you need is a computer, access to the Internet - and you are ready to go! IAPA e-learning course offerings are designed to help you learn at your own pace and in your own environment at your own convenience.
  • Lockout
  • Complete listing of e-Learning programs

Consulting Services

Our consultants work together with clients to identify and assess health and safety needs based on the client’s readiness and capacity. General Consulting Services include:

• Assisting with development of a basic health and safety program
• Providing health and safety information
• Identifying and facilitating solutions
• Assessing training needs

Conferences & Events

Our health and safety conferences throughout Ontario provide excellent opportunities for networking and learning on lifting devices and other key topics. Visit Partners in Prevention 2010 Ontario Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show and the Conferences & Trade Shows section for more information.

Partner Sites

Farm Safety Association (FSA) - FSA provides health & safety information, resources and assistance to firms within the agricultural, horticultural and landscaping industries. Click the link to access their website for more information.

Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) - OSSA provides health & safety information, resources and assistance to firms within the service sector. Click the link to access their website for more information.