For additional guarding requirements see chapter 296-806 WAC, Machine safety.

(1) Safeguarding specific areas, machines or conditions. Certain equipment, tools, machines, and areas present definite hazards and must be safeguarded by compliance with the following requirements:

(a) Broke shredder cutting heads must be completely enclosed except for opening at feed side sufficient only to permit entry of stock. The enclosure must be:

(i) Bolted or locked in place; and

(ii) Of solid material or with mesh or other openings not exceeding 1/2 inch.

(b) Stitching or sewing machine. Carton or bag stitching machines must be properly safeguarded to prevent persons from coming in contact with the stitching head and other pinch or nip points.

(i) A guardrail of standard height must be installed when the top edge of vessels or tubs is less than standard height guardrails above the floor or operator's platform. If necessary for the protection of the person feeding equipment, an intermediate guardrail or other suitable protection shall be installed.

(ii) Beater rolls must be provided with covers.

(d) First dryer. A permanent guard or apron guard, or both, must be installed to protect workers from any exposed ingoing nip of the first dryer drum in each section if the area is accessible to workers while the dryer is in operation.

(e) Floor and drain openings. Floor and drain openings in walkways and general work areas must be covered with material or gratings with openings no larger than 2" in the narrow dimension.

(f) Mechanical devices to dump chip cars, trucks or trailers.

(i) When using mechanical equipment to elevate the front end of the chip containers for dumping into a hopper, the shear area between the floor and the elevated section must be safeguarded.

(ii) The pit area must be adequately safeguarded or barricaded.

(iii) Safeguards must be installed around the exposed sides of a chip hopper.

(2) Replacing guards. All permanent guards must be replaced or adequate temporary safeguards provided before a machine is put into operation.

(3) Protection from moving materials. When material, such as chunks, slivers, cants, or logs, could be thrown or flipped by a saw, barker, or other machines, adequate barricades, screens, netting, or other safeguards must be provided and maintained.

(4) Protection for areas where guards are impractical. When normal guarding is impractical:

(a) The hazard must be reduced to a minimum by use of safety chains, lifelines, signs or other reasonable means; and

(b) Areas which present a hazard which cannot be reasonably safeguarded must be identified by use of paint or other materials.

(5) Knives and scissors.

(a) Knives used for chip or hog fuel machines, or guillotine cutters, must be secured in properly constructed containers during transportation.

(b) Workers must be furnished properly designed and constructed sheaths for safely carrying knives and scissors used for cutting or trimming pulp and paper.

(d) Sharp edged slitter knives subject to accidental contact must be effectively guarded. Carriers must be provided and used when transporting or carrying sharp edged slitter knives.

(e) Hand knives and sharpening steels used in paper preparation, must be provided with guards at the junction of the handle and the blade. Utility knives with blade exposure two and one-half inches or less are exempted from this requirement.

(6) Safeguard for foot operated treadle switch used to activate power driven equipment. Foot operated treadle switches used for activation of power driven equipment must be protected by a stirrup type guard or equivalent protection must be provided to prevent accidental activation.

(7) Automatic pressure actuated stopping devices. Hand fed machines and other moving equipment which create shear or pinch points which cannot be reasonably guarded may be safeguarded by the installation of pressure activated bars or sensing devices which, when contacted, will automatically stop the machine or equipment.

PDFWAC 296-79-030

Guards and guarding.