The employee was caught in the moving parts of the saw and pulled into a nip point between the saw blade and the idler wheel, resulting in fatal injuries. This accident was caused by the failure to shut down or turn off the equipment to perform maintenance. It is also designed to prevent the release of stored energy which could cause injury to employees. An associated danger zone exists during a machine operating cycle. The employee is required to place any body part into an area of the machinery or equipment where work is actually being performed upon the material being processed.
Most people immediately think of electricity as a potentially hazardous energy source.
There are other sources of energy, though, that can be just as hazardous. These energy sources include thermal, chemical, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, and gravity, It is important to remember that all sources of energy that have the potential to un unexpectedly start-up, energize, or release must be identified and locked, blocked, or released before servicing or maintenance is performed. Specific steps for shutting down, isolating, and blocking machinery and equipment in order to control hazardous energy. A detailed training program for employees who perform the service and maintenance and for employees who are indirectly affected by those operations. Locks are to be utilized whenever possible.