OSHA Machine Guarding Requirements 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA 1910.212, at what point on a machine must a guard prevent the operator from having any part of the body in the danger zone?
- At the point of operation (Correct answer)
- Only at the power source
- Only during maintenance
- At the machine's on/off switch
Correct answer: At the point of operation
OSHA requires guarding at the point of operation where work is actually performed on the material.
Question 2: A worker asks whether a guard can be removed briefly to clear a jam while the machine is running. What is the correct action?
- Remove the guard quickly
- Shut down and lock out the machine first (Correct answer)
- Reach around the guard carefully
- Ask a coworker to hold the guard
Correct answer: Shut down and lock out the machine first
Machines must be shut down and locked out before removing guards or clearing jams.
Question 3: Which type of hazard is created by gears, rollers, or belt-and-pulley combinations moving toward each other?
- Cutting hazard
- In-running nip point (Correct answer)
- Shear hazard
- Impact hazard
Correct answer: In-running nip point
Rotating parts moving toward each other create in-running nip points that can catch clothing or body parts.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of an anti-restart (magnetic) motor control after a power loss?
- To save electricity
- To prevent the machine from restarting automatically when power returns (Correct answer)
- To speed up the motor
- To bypass the guard
Correct answer: To prevent the machine from restarting automatically when power returns
Anti-restart controls prevent unexpected startup that could injure a worker when power is restored.
Question 5: A guard on a table saw is designed so material can pass through but a finger cannot reach the blade. This illustrates which guarding principle?
- Maximum opening safe distance (Correct answer)
- Interlocking
- Two-hand control
- Presence sensing
Correct answer: Maximum opening safe distance
Guard openings must be sized so a finger or hand cannot reach the danger zone.
Question 6: Which safeguarding device stops the machine if the operator's hands enter the danger zone during the cycle?
- Fixed barrier guard
- Presence-sensing device (Correct answer)
- Warning sign
- Color-coded paint
Correct answer: Presence-sensing device
Presence-sensing devices like light curtains stop the machine when they detect a body part in the danger zone.
Question 7: Who is responsible for ensuring machine guards are in place and functioning before operation?
- The employer (Correct answer)
- OSHA inspectors only
- The equipment manufacturer only
- No one specifically
Correct answer: The employer
The employer is responsible for providing and maintaining effective machine guarding.
OSHA Machine Guarding Requirements 2
Under OSHA 1910.212, at what point on a machine must a guard prevent the operator from having any part of the body in the danger zone?