MACHINE SAFETY

Machine safety is critical for worker safety, because machines have many ways to injure workers: Many machines have moving parts, sharp edges, and hot surfaces with the potential to cause severe workplace injuries such as crushed fingers or hands, amputations, burns, or blindness. Safeguards are essential for protecting workers from these preventable injuries. Any machine part, function, or process that might cause injury must be safeguarded. When the operation of a machine may result in a contact injury to the operator or others in the vicinity, the hazards must be eliminated or controlled.

High Bay Laboratory

This laboratory is a specially constructed facility with elevated (37 feet) ceilings and an overhead catwalk and is dedicated to research efforts in reducing fall-related injuries, as well as in improving the safety of large equipment used in industrial, construction, and agricultural applications. Overall dimensions of the laboratory are 30 by 36 by 37 feet, which are necessary for accommodating such research efforts as studies of scaffolding systems, ladder stability, tension/compression testing of fabricated protective structures using hydraulic ram pressure, and access/egress safety for construction equipment.

Project contact: Doug Cantis
Protective Technology Branch
(304) 285-6013