Refresher training on stationary machinery is a good way to remind workers of the risks inherent in this hazardous equipment as well as the precautions they need to take.
OSHA requires protective safety features, such as guards, to serve as a barrier between workers and the machine’s feeds, points of operation, and sharp edges. Employees must not be allowed to remove, disable, or reach through a machine guard.
OSHA also requires that machines have controls that allow the operator to turn off a machine’s power from a safe position.
But engineering controls like these—as important as they are—aren’t enough to prevent accidents. The best protection for workers is their knowledge and commitment to operate machines safely.
Refresher Training
Frequent refresher training on machine hazards and precautions is required to prevent machine accidents such as:
- Being caught in and crushed or mangled by the moving parts
- Pinned or crushed if the machine "walks" or falls over
- Hit by materials and debris ejected by the machine
- Shocked or electrocuted by contact with live electrical parts
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When conducting refresher training, be sure to emphasize these machine safety points:
- Avoid contact with energized parts. Never reach into any area of the machine that could contain energized parts.
- Keep metal tools and jewelry away from exposed live electrical parts.
- Be sure hands and the work area are dry before handling electrical parts or plugs.
- Never try to fix, unjam, adjust, or work at a machine unless it has been properly locked or tagged out by an authorized person.
- Follow instructions provided in training and by manufacturer’s operational manuals.
- Know how to turn off the equipment safely if there is a problem.
- Never skip steps in preparing to use the machine.
- Make sure there is enough lighting to see controls clearly.
- Keep hands, feet, and other body parts away from moving machine parts.
- Turn off the machine if it moves, makes unusual noises, or is not functioning properly and report the problem as instructed.
- Use tools, not the hands, to feed and/or remove material from machines.
- Wear assigned PPE (safety glasses, hearing protection), but avoid gloves, which could get caught in the machine’s moving parts.
- Avoid loose clothing, such as sleeves, that could get caught in the machine, and tie back long hair to prevent entanglements.
- Give the job complete attention no matter how many times you have done it.
- Never operate the machine if you are tired, have taken prescription medicine, or have used alcohol or other drugs.
Try OSHA Training System for a complete solution to your mandated training needs. You can do so at no cost or risk. Read more.
The Complete Training System
If you’re looking for ready-to-use employee training on a broad range of critical safety issues, including machine safety, look no farther. OSHA Training System has the materials to help you train employees to work safely, no matter what their job.
As its name implies, this is a complete system to meet your full training needs. All the materials are prepared in advance, so no prep time is required. All you do is reproduce what you need and put it to use. Materials include:
- 32 complete safety units, meeting every key OSHA standard. Each includes full background for trainers, a ready-to-use safety meeting, and follow-up handouts. View a Table of Contents.
- Quizzes, handouts, and copies of employee booklets, coordinated to the safety meetings. (Additional booklets can be bought in any quantity at a discount.)
- A complete training recordkeeping and tracking system that tells you which employees need what training, and then tracks your program to ensure they get it.
- Quarterly updates, included with the program. You receive at least 4 new safety units every 90 days, covering new OSHA standards and training needs.
If you share the common problem of never having enough time or the right materials for training, we’d suggest you examine the OSHA Training System program. We’ve arranged for you to do so for up to 30 days at no cost or risk. Just let us know and we’ll be happy to make all the arrangements.