Should I Perform Preventive Maintenance on My Machine Guarding?

Yes, preventive maintenance on machine guarding is essential to ensure continued compliance, performance, and protection of your employees. While machine guards are often considered passive safety components, wear, vibration, corrosion, and daily operation can degrade their effectiveness over time.

Why Preventive Maintenance on Guarding Matters:

Ensure Ongoing Compliance
Guards that become loose, misaligned, or damaged can violate OSHA 1910.212 and ANSI B11.19 requirements—exposing workers to hazards and facilities to citations.

Prevent Tampering or Bypass
Routine inspections catch signs of operator workarounds or unauthorized modifications that compromise safety integrity.

Extend Equipment Life
Properly maintained guards protect not just people but also sensitive machine components from damage, dust, and debris.

Support Safe Machine Operation
Well-maintained interlocks, light curtains, and safety switches ensure reliable stop functions and hazard detection.

What Preventive Maintenance Should Include:

• Tightening fasteners and frame supports

• Verifying integrity of panels, doors, and mesh guards

• Testing functionality of safety interlocks and switches

• Cleaning sensors and presence-detection devices

• Documenting inspections and repairs for compliance records

In short: Preventive maintenance on guarding isn’t optional—it’s a critical part of your overall machine safety program.