Machine Guarding: Where Compliance Breaks Down in Practice
Machine guarding remains one of the most frequently cited issues during OSHA inspections. While most facilities do have guards in place, the problem typically stems from overlooked details such as gaps, reach-arounds, removed guards, and temporary exposures. Routine tasks, such as clearing jams, cleaning/sanitization, changeovers, label adjustments, and troubleshooting often bring workers in proximity to moving equipment. When guarding is designed only for steady-state