# Machine Guarding Inspection Checklist for Production Equipment > Source: https://netray.co/tools/machine-guarding-inspection-checklist > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Free Tools ## Short answer Inspect guards, interlocks, emergency stops and operator access on machines, and record which findings need immediate action. ## Category ehs-workforce ## Industry Manufacturing ## Audience - Safety manager - Maintenance supervisor - Production supervisor ## Tool **Kind:** checklist **Groups:** #### General guarding **Items:** **Text:** Every machine part, function or process that can cause injury is guarded or otherwise safeguarded **Critical:** true Guards are firmly secured to the machine or floor and cannot be removed without a tool Guards do not create a new hazard such as a shear, pinch or sharp edge Guards do not interfere with normal operation or invite bypassing **Text:** Openings in fixed guards are small enough to prevent reaching the hazard from the operating position **Critical:** true Guard material is suitable for the hazard, such as impact resistance or chip containment Machine is anchored where it can walk or tip during operation #### Point of operation **Items:** **Text:** Presses, shears and saws have a point of operation safeguard suited to the process **Critical:** true **Text:** Operator hands cannot enter the die or cutting area while the machine can cycle **Critical:** true Two-hand controls require both hands concurrently and are placed beyond reach of the hazard **Text:** Light curtains or presence-sensing devices are tested and set to the right safety distance **Critical:** true Hand tools for feeding stock are available where hands must not enter the area Guard on the drill, lathe chuck or spindle covers rotating parts and chips #### Power transmission and moving parts **Items:** **Text:** Belts, pulleys, chains, sprockets, couplings and shafts are enclosed **Critical:** true Flywheels and gears have guards in place and secured Exposed projecting shaft ends and set screws are covered or guarded **Text:** Nip points between rollers or conveyor head and tail pulleys are guarded **Critical:** true Conveyor pull cords or emergency stops reachable along the full length Fan blades are guarded with openings no larger than the standard allows #### Interlocks and controls **Items:** **Text:** Interlocked guard stops hazardous motion when opened and cannot be defeated easily **Critical:** true **Text:** Interlock switches are of a type that resists bypass and are not taped, jumpered or bridged **Critical:** true **Text:** Emergency stop devices are red, clearly marked, within reach and tested **Critical:** true Stop controls are located at each operator position Restart after emergency stop or guard opening needs a deliberate reset Control circuit performance meets the risk level (for example ISO 13849 or IEC 62061 rating) Foot pedals have a cover to prevent accidental operation #### Energy control, training and records **Items:** **Text:** Machine has documented lockout tagout procedure with lock points identified **Critical:** true Operators trained on the guards, controls and the reason for each safeguard Guard removal for maintenance is followed by a replacement check before restart Employees report missing or damaged guards and are told to stop use Inspection and test records are kept for safeguarding devices **Text:** Modifications or relocated machines are reviewed for guarding before use **Critical:** true #### Signs, housekeeping and environment **Items:** Warning signs at residual hazards use clear symbols and are readable Floor around machine is dry and free of chips, oil and trip hazards Lighting at the point of operation is adequate for the task Noise at the machine is measured and hearing protection is assigned where required Coolant mist and dust are controlled or extracted **Scoring Note:** Any unchecked critical item is a stop-use finding for that machine until corrected or an effective interim control is in place. Record the machine ID, inspector and date on the exported sheet. ## Content **Intro:** This checklist guides a routine inspection of machine guarding and safeguarding devices on production equipment. It covers fixed and interlocked guards, point of operation, power transmission, emergency stops, energy control and signs, with the items that need immediate action flagged as critical. **Sections:** #### How to use the checklist **Body:** Inspect one machine at a time with the machine stopped and locked out for the physical checks, and run it under supervision for control tests such as emergency stops and interlocks. Tick the items that pass, leave failed items unticked and write the machine ID and the corrective action in your exported record. Repeat on a regular schedule and after any maintenance, relocation or modification. #### What the rules require **Body:** In the US, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212 requires guarding for hazards from the point of operation, in-running nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Subpart O covers specific machines such as presses, saws and grinders, and 1910.219 covers power transmission apparatus. Similar duties exist elsewhere, for example the EU Machinery Directive and PUWER in the UK. Standards such as ANSI B11 and ISO 12100 give the risk assessment method. **Bullets:** - Fixed guards are preferred where access is not needed - Interlocked guards where access is frequent - Presence sensing where physical barriers are not practical - Never rely on training alone to control a hazard #### Typical findings and how to close them **Body:** Frequent issues are guards left off after maintenance, jumpered interlocks, missing guards on conveyor tail pulleys, and emergency stops that are blocked or untested. Correct by tagging the machine out of service, restoring the safeguard, and addressing why it was removed, for example a poorly designed guard that slows setup. Add a verification step after maintenance and track repeat offenders by machine and shift. **Cta:** If maintenance work orders in your ERP could trigger these inspections and record results against each asset, we can help configure that. **Faq:** #### How often should machine guarding be inspected? **Answer:** There is no single interval in the rules. Many plants do a daily operator check, a weekly or monthly supervisor inspection and a formal annual audit, plus an inspection after any repair, change or incident. #### Is a light curtain a guard? **Answer:** A light curtain is a safeguarding device, not a physical guard. It stops the machine when the beam is broken, so stopping time and the safety distance must be verified. It is not suitable where the hazard can eject parts or chips. #### Who may remove a guard? **Answer:** Only authorized, trained people, under lockout tagout for servicing, and the guard must be refitted and checked before restart. Operators must not remove or bypass guards to speed work. #### What is the difference between guarding and safeguarding? **Answer:** Guarding is physical barriers. Safeguarding is the broader term that includes guards, devices such as light curtains and two-hand controls, awareness barriers and safe work methods. ## Search terms machine guarding checklist, OSHA 1910.212 machine guarding inspection, machine safeguarding audit form, point of operation guarding checklist, interlock and light curtain inspection, CNC machine safety inspection checklist, power transmission guard checklist --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json