What is machine guarding?

Barriers, covers and devices that keep hands, hair and clothing away from moving parts, nip points, cutters and other hazards on a machine.

How often should guards be inspected?

Your site's procedure and the machine maker set it. Many sites check at the start of a shift and after any repair, change-over or maintenance. Follow the maker's manual and the current rules.

What if a guard slows the job down?

Don't remove it. Report it to the lead so the guard or the process can be fixed. A guard that gets in the way is a reason to change the setup, not a reason to take it off.

Free template

A machine guarding checklist for the shop floor.

Walk each machine and check that every guard is on and every stop works. Fill out one sheet per machine. Print the sheet or save it as a PDF.

Also calledMachine guard inspection, Guarding audit checklist, Machine safeguarding checklist, Guard check form

See the sheet All free tools

Free to print, copy and change. It’s a starting point. Add the lines your equipment and your rules need.

Edit it in the builder

Machine guarding checklist

Date

Time

Area or line

Machine name and ID

Inspector

Shift

Guards

PassFailN/A

Every guard is in place and fastened
Guards aren't bent, cracked or loose
Pinch points, nip points and rotating parts are covered
Guard openings don't let a hand reach the hazard
No guard has been removed, taped open or bypassed

Interlocks and stops

PassFailN/A

Interlocks work and stop the machine when a guard opens
Emergency stops are easy to reach and work
Light curtains and sensors work, if fitted
Machine can't restart on its own after a stop
Controls are labeled and covered against accidental start

Labels and lockout

PassFailN/A

Warning labels are on and readable
Lockout points are marked and reachable
Energy sources are labeled
Operating and lockout instructions are posted or at hand
Floor around the machine is clear and the work area is lit

Defects found and action taken

Taken out of service? Yes NoReported to

Inspector signature

Date

Supervisor review

Date

A starting point. Adapt it to your equipment, your procedures and the rules that apply to you.Free template from portalbaseai.com

How to use it

Three habits that make it worth filling out.

Step 1
Test, don't just look
Open a guard and see that the interlock stops the machine. Press the emergency stop. Do it per your procedure, and only if you're trained to.
Step 2
Look for signs of workarounds
Tape, wire, a magnet or a missing bolt can mean someone bypassed a guard. Write it down and tell the lead.
Step 3
Take it out of service
If a guard is missing or an interlock fails, lock the machine out and report it until it's fixed.

Do this on a phone instead of paper.

Run this check on a phone, with a photo on any failed step, no signal needed. A failed step opens a repair and the record is kept for you.

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Common questions

What is machine guarding?: Barriers, covers and devices that keep hands, hair and clothing away from moving parts, nip points, cutters and other hazards on a machine.
How often should guards be inspected?: Your site's procedure and the machine maker set it. Many sites check at the start of a shift and after any repair, change-over or maintenance. Follow the maker's manual and the current rules.
What if a guard slows the job down?: Don't remove it. Report it to the lead so the guard or the process can be fixed. A guard that gets in the way is a reason to change the setup, not a reason to take it off.

Related and more free tools

Free tool

A machine guarding checklist for the shop floor.

Machine guarding checklist

Guards

Interlocks and stops

Labels and lockout

Three habits that make it worth filling out.

Test, don't just look

Look for signs of workarounds

Take it out of service

Do this on a phone instead of paper.

Get new free tools by email.

Common questions

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