Hazards

Employees can be exposed to possible amputation and strangulation hazards while using commercial laundry machines, such as folding machines, if machine guards are absent or ineffective. Guards may need to be removed to perform maintenance.

Controls

Follow the Machinery and Machine Guarding Standard (29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart O), Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) Standard (29 CFR 1910.147), and Permit-Required Confined Spaces Standard (29 CFR 1910.146).

Requirements under OSHA's Machine Guarding Standard, 29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart O.

Machine guarding must be provided to protect employees from hazards. [29 CFR 1910.212]

• An example of machine guarding is a barrier guard, which prevents workers from entering the danger zone (i.e., provide barrier guards over dangerous equipment to prevent hazards of strangulation or amputations).
• Other examples of machine guarding include:
  • Two-handed tripping devices.
  • Electronic safety devices.

Additional Information

• Machine Guarding. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
• Machine Guarding. OSHA eTool.
• Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout). OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.