3020 – 10 – Types of Foot Control Safeguards

1m

Foot controls have protections similar to those that shield the hazardous parts of the machine.

Foot controls are pedals or buttons that the operators activate with their feet. Because workers operate the machine with their feet, their hands are left free to work. It’s essential for foot controls to be guarded because they can accidentally be activated when worker’s hands are close to the point of operation. The guard drops to stop feet from accidentally turning on the machine.

The guards used to shield foot controls are made of heavy steel. They protect the controls both from accidental starts but also from falling objects. Furthermore, most foot controls include a wedge that prevents workers from pressing pedals down on accident.

Typically, workers take their feet off the pedal when the machine stops cycling. When workers “ride” the pedal, they keep their foot on the control even when the machine should be off, which can result in hazardous cutting conditions