Equipment guarding, operating procedures and routine management work together. The following points introduce common considerations; follow the equipment manual, training and applicable site procedures.
Check guards and interlocks
Feed openings, guards and service access points may have switches or interlocks. Confirm their functions and test methods in the model documentation. Do not remove, bridge or bypass protective devices.
Emergency stop and energy isolation serve different purposes
An emergency stop halts equipment in an emergency. Before cleaning, maintenance or clearing a blockage, disconnect and isolate energy, confirm moving parts have stopped and follow the site procedure.
Organise feeding and the work area
Use permitted materials and feeding methods, keeping metal and other foreign objects out. Assess dust, noise and personal protection needs, and keep access routes and operating positions clear.
Maintain training and inspection records
Operators need to understand equipment limits, abnormal conditions and maintenance procedures. Stop and inspect unusual vibration, heat, noise or protective-device faults as required, retaining inspection and repair records.