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Injury Prevention Resources for Metal & Non Metallic Mineral Products - General
Ergonomics | Eye Protection | Fall Protection | Lockout | Hearing Protection | Machine Safeguarding | Respiratory Protection | Other
The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the metal, non-metallic mineral products industries. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.
Machine Safeguarding
Safeguarding Machinery and Equipment: General Requirements (PDF 4.6 MB)
This manual is for everyone who owns, operates, maintains, or sells powered machinery and equipment. Employers will find information to help them comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) and Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act. It will also help them exercise due diligence in providing a safe work environment. Supervisors will find information to help them assess the risks to their workers from harmful contact with machinery and equipment. Workers will gain greater awareness of the hazards associated with equipment operation and maintenance and of the safeguarding protection they have a right to expect.
Source: WorkSafeBC 
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.
Safeguarding in Manufacturing (PDF 733 KB)
(A Companion guide to Safeguarding Machinery and Equipment: General Requirements booklet.)
This Infoflip provides information to help
- employers comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) and Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act. It will also help them exercise due diligence in providing a safe work environment.
- supervisors assess the risks to their workers from harmful contact with machinery and equipment
- workers gain greater awareness of the hazards associated with equipment operation and maintenance and of the safeguarding protection they have a right to expect.
Guarding (Video)
This video describes the types of guards available for different work situations and how their use can prevent injuries and save lives.(14 min 46 s)
Source: WorkSafeBC
Machine Risk Assessment Survey (PDF 267 KB)
This document will help identify hazardous machine motion to which a worker may be exposed. It also contains the "hierarchy of safeguarding controls" as a reference.
Source: WorkSafeBC
Machine Guarding Checklist (PDF 248 KB)
This checklist can be used to analyze the machinery in your workplace. Reproduced with permission from Canadian Auto Workers Union video "Blowin' in the Wind - Machine Guarding Prevents Death."
Source: WorkSafeBC
Concepts and Techniques of Machine Safeguarding
"This manual has been prepared as an aid to employers, employees, machine manufacturers, machine guard designers and fabricators, and all others with an interest in protecting workers against the hazards of moving machine parts."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Safety and Health Topics - Machine Safeguarding
"This page contains general information on the various hazards of mechanical motion and techniques for protecting workers."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Machine Guarding eTool
"This *eTool focuses on recognizing and controlling common amputation hazards associated with the operation and use of certain types of machines."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Preventing the Injury of Workers by Robots
"Victim entered the working range of the robot to do maintenance and was pinned between the back of the industrial robot and a steel safety pole."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations
(PDF 1 MB)
"Anyone responsible for the use and care of stationary machinery---employers, employees, safety professionals, and industrial hygienists---should read this publication. This guide can help you, the small business employer, identify and manage common amputation hazards associated with operating and using stationary equipment."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Critical Injury -- Unguarded Cut-off Saw
"A worker received serious injuries to his left hand when he reached across the path of a 15 inch saw blade and inadvertently stepped on the foot pedal that activated the hydraulically controlled radial arm that moves the saw blade across the wood."
Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)
Light Curtains Protect Workers' Hands (PDF 2 MB)
Article in WorkSafe Magazine, January/February 2001.
Source: WorkSafeBC
Foundry Machinery Guarding: Mould and Core-making Machinery
"This information sheet is one of four prepared by the Foundries Industry Advisory Committee's Working Group on foundry machinery guarding. It is intended that the four sheets be read together. Essential introductory information is given on sheet 2." Foundries Sheet 3.
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
Foundry Machinery Guarding: Sand Handling Equipment (PDF 40 KB)
"This Information Sheet is one of four prepared by the Foundries Industry Advisory Committee's Working Group on foundry machinery guarding. It should be read in conjunction with the essential introductory information on sheet 2." Foundries Sheet 4.
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
Foundry Machinery Guarding: Shakeouts, Sand Mixers and Shotblasts (PDF 40 KB)
"This information sheet is one of four prepared by the Foundries Industry Advisory Committee's Working Group on foundry machinery guarding. It should be read in conjunction with the essential introductory information on sheet 2." Foundries Sheet 5.
Source: Health and Safety Executive (UK)
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