Employers should ensure that safety gates are locked or otherwise secured, while machines are in operation, in order to prevent personnel from entering dangerous areas. A safety switch should be installed on the machine, to disconnect the machine when the safety gate is open. The horizontal boring machine had a protruding bolt that left only three inches of space between the machine unit and the machine frame at the end of its cycle. This was recognized as a 'pinch point' in 1995. A safety gate was installed and employees were instructed not to open the gate to lubricate the machine while it was in operation.
Engineering controls are the preferred method of control.
A safety gate that would act as an inter-lock gate would prevent the machine from operating when the gate was open. This is especially important since in this case there was not a direct line of site between the two operators. Employers should ensure that employees follow safety procedures. Safety training is a critical element in an integrated safety program and should include the communication of task-specific safety procedures and training in the avoidance and abatement of these hazards. Employees must follow these procedures during maintenance operations.