Safeguards should perform the following to safely protect workers: Prevent touch: Keep the worker's body or clothing from coming into contact with dangerous moving parts. Protect against falling objects by ensuring that no objects fall into moving parts. There must be no new hazards—no shear points, jagged edges, or unfinished surfaces. Repair or replace any damaged safety devices before returning a facility to service. Mechanical hazards can be prevented by proper maintenance of equipment and by following established procedures for handling materials that may be harmful if contacted or exposed to heat/flame/air/water/electricity. Regular maintenance includes cleaning, repairing, replacing worn or broken parts, and testing equipment operation. Facilities for storing or working with chemicals need to comply with all relevant regulations. Special attention should be given to preventing accidents when using heavy machinery or other industrial tools. Mechanical hazards can also be caused by human error. For example, if a machine is not put out of service when needed, this could lead to trouble unless someone notices that it is not being used. If a machine is operated without being checked for defects, this could cause damage unnoticed. Mechanical hazards can also be caused by poor work practices. For example, an employee may use a ladder to reach too high, causing them to be caught by a crane or forklift. Employees should be trained on how to use equipment safely and correctly and they should be encouraged to ask questions if they do not understand how something works.