Page 330 - IGC BOOK

Fixed Guards

Fixed guards are physical barriers that keeps
people out of dangerous areas during normal
use, maintenance or cleaning.

Fixed guards can be:

• permanent – welded into or part of the body
of the machine.

• removable – but they can only be removed
when the machine is stopped, with a special
tool that is not easily available to operators.

Barriers or fences held securely in place with fasteners or other suitable devices can stop access
to dangerous areas. Machine guards should be made of substantial materials (such as sheet
steel, wire mesh) that cannot be easily damaged.

Minimum (Safe reach) Distances for Fixed Guards

This method of hazard management relies on putting dangerous machinery parts out of reach of
people. The minimum separation distances are based on people with long arms, hands, and
fingers. The anthropometric data used in this standard to determine the distance so that
workers are safe while they operate the machinery.

Distance guards should be at least 1600mm tall and at least 900mm away from the danger zone;
If the guard is between 1000mm and 1600mm tall, it must be at least 1500mm away from the
danger zone.

Advantages Limitations

• creates a physical barrier to dangerous • not connected to machine controls
parts • no protection when the guard is removed
• requires special tool to remove the guard during maintenance.
• it requires less maintenance • allow people to access dangerous parts
when the guard is removed.
• more complex for machinery which
requires frequent access, or maintenance.
• poor visibility – may be hindrance to do
inspection.

ENSIGN | Unit IG2 – Element 9 – Work 14
Equipment