It would also include the exposure to the maintenance staff while they work on the machine up to the point when lockout-tagout is required. Absence of an injury from a particular exposure or hazard does not mean the injury will never occur or the machine is completely safe. Accidents are unplanned events which occur more or less randomly and usually result in pain and suffering in addition to loss of income for the employee and the company. The degree of possible injury has a significant influence on determining the level of safeguarding required to provide protection for employees from any given exposure or hazard. The degree of injury can vary from minor lacerations or contusions to the highest risk which would be a fatality.
Most injuries are acute and happen immediately.
Others are chronic and may not manifest themselves physically for a long period, even years later. So, pay careful attention to each and every exposure on a machine. Take nothing for granted. Review the European Machinery Directive standards prior to starting the risk assessment. Some of the details and specifics given will help you design a more effective machine guarding system.