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Machine Safety
Guideline
UIRM- GL_008
UIRM-001
March 2014
Purpose
This guideline outlines conditions, procedures and resources for addressing the management of
machine hazards. “Machines” include equipment and devices with moving parts which have the
potential for causing injury to individuals who operate or come into close proximity to such
parts. When the operation of a machine or accidental contact with it can injure the operator or
others in the vicinity, the hazards must be either controlled or eliminated.
A “machine hazard” occurs at the point of operation of equipment and other devices where the
actual work is performed, and can be created by:
components which transmit energy, such as pulleys, belts, chains, gears, couplings, or
flywheels; or
other parts which move while the machine is working, including reciprocating, rotating,
and transverse parts.
Relevant Acts, Regulations, Codes & Standards
Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Act
Industrial Regulation, 851
Ontario Fire Code
National Fire Code
Ontario Building Code
Canadian Electrical Code
CSA Standard Z432-04, Safeguarding of Machinery
Roles and Responsibilities
The Department Head is responsible for having a process in place to ensure the
implementation and maintenance of a machine safety program in order to protect the health
and safety of staff, faculty and students when operating such devices.
The Department of Integrated Risk Management (IRM) provides consultation services for
matters related to machine safety and safe work practices and will monitor the integrity of
these guidelines through periodic auditing.
The Faculty member is responsible for ensuring the competency of the students with
respect to the use of the machines.
The Shop Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that safe work practices are followed.
Staff, faculty and students are responsible for reporting any observed machine hazards such
as unguarded moving parts directly to the Supervising Staff/Faculty.
Machine Safety Program and Guarding Plans
Each department that have machines must have a written machine safety program which includes
defining individual roles and responsibilities, orientation and training, inspections, inventory of
equipment, safe operating procedures to be followed to minimize the risk of injury, a lock out/tag
out procedure and a preventative maintenance program.
Inspections and Audits
Machines must be inspected regularly by the Shop Supervisor. Based on the results of these
inspections, maintenance or replacement of parts will be performed as necessary. The
Department of Integrated Risk Management (IRM) will audit the program annually and
recommend appropriate corrective actions.
Training
Authorized User
Each person who performs work in shop areas must receive training prior to using a machine,
including:
Shop guidelines such as housekeeping, access, accident reporting, broken equipment
Shop hazards and methods of controlling exposure
Machine-specific operating guidelines and safety features
Use and care of prescribed personal protective equipment.
Faculty or Staff Supervising Shop
Faculty or Staff who are supervising (means a person who has charge of a workplace or authority
over a worker/student) must be competent as defined in the Occupational Health & Safety Act.
Access Control
Students are not permitted to work unsupervised where a machine hazard may be present.
Each department must have an access control procedure in place where machine hazards exist in
order to ensure that only authorized users have access.
Record Keeping
Each department must maintain records of their machines, inspections, audits, training and
maintenance activities. The Department of Integrated Risk Management maintains records of the
annual inspection checklists and audits.