3020 – 14 – The Importance of Employee Training

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A key part of machine guarding is proper training for all employees. Anybody who interacts with manufacturing machinery should understand how and why machine guards are used. OSHA sets training standards for machine guards. They include:
• Identification of machines safety hazards
• Identification of safeguards and directions for how to use them
• How, when, and why safeguards can be removed.
• What a lockout/tagout procedure is and when it should occur
• What to do when safeguards are damaged or inadequate

Every worker needs to have a foundational understanding of safeguarding, but maintenance workers and machine operators need more specific training. Any time new machinery is bought, workers should receive training about how to use it safely.