FAQ
What Is the Difference Between a Machine Guarding Assessment and a Task-Based Risk Assessment?
A machine guarding assessment and a task-based risk assessment are both critical tools for ensuring workplace safety—but they focus on different aspects of machine safety compliance:
Machine Guarding Assessment
This evaluates whether existing physical safeguards (like barriers, light curtains, and interlocks) meet OSHA, ANSI, and ISO standards for protecting employees from mechanical hazards. It focuses on:
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Guard placement and adequacy
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Compliance with regulations (e.g., OSHA 1910.212, ANSI B11.19)
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Identification of unguarded pinch points, rotating parts, or access areas
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Recommended upgrades to passive or active guarding solutions
Goal: Ensure that all machines are physically protected against hazardous motion and meet baseline guarding requirements.
Task-Based Risk Assessment
This is a more detailed evaluation that examines how a worker interacts with a machine during specific tasks—like setup, cleaning, maintenance, or changeovers. It assesses:
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Frequency and duration of exposure
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Severity and likelihood of harm
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Safety functions needed (e.g., lockout/tagout, presence-sensing, control reliability)
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Appropriate risk reduction measures using the hierarchy of controls
Goal: Identify and mitigate risks associated with specific human-machine interactions, often using standards like ANSI B11.0 and ISO 12100.
Summary:
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Machine Guarding Assessment = Focuses on physical guarding compliance.
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Task-Based Risk Assessment = Focuses on human interaction with the machine during tasks.
Both are essential for a comprehensive safety strategy—and often used together in turnkey machine safeguarding solutions.