Guarding of bridge saws and other machinery

Working close to moving and rotating machinery or where parts may be ejected is inherently unsafe and there is a foreseeable risk of being crushed, cut, entangled or struck. This risk must be managed by undertaking a suitable risk assessment and implementing and enforcing the necessary control measures.

It is foreseeable that an operator may be in close proximity to the machine. The use of perimeter fences and interlocked gates would prevent inadvertent access and the operator from working in close proximity to the machinery.

Fixed guards alone might not be feasible as access is required for loading and unloading the stone. The following would all offer a high standard of protection:

Use fixed and interlocking guards or safety devices providing equivalent protection at automatic and CNC machines to ensure all dangerous movements, not only the saw blade, are guarded.

Guards could be extended to serve as noise enclosures. LEV may be integral with the guard where appropriate.

Updated: 2021-05-11