National Machine Guarding Program: Part 1. Machine safeguarding practices in small metal fabrication businesses.
BACKGROUND
Metal fabrication workers experience high rates of traumatic occupational injuries. Machine operators in particular face high risks, often stemming from the absence or improper use of machine safeguarding or the failure to implement lockout procedures.


METHODS
The National Machine Guarding Program (NMGP) was a translational research initiative implemented in conjunction with two workers' compensation insures. Insurance safety consultants trained in machine guarding used standardized checklists to conduct a baseline inspection of machine-related hazards in 221 business.


RESULTS
Safeguards at the point of operation were missing or inadequate on 33% of machines. Safeguards for other mechanical hazards were missing on 28% of machines. Older machines were both widely used and less likely than newer machines to be properly guarded. Lockout/tagout procedures were posted at only 9% of machine workstations.


CONCLUSIONS
The NMGP demonstrates a need for improvement in many aspects of machine safety and lockout in small metal fabrication businesses.
Park Nicollet Institute, Health Research Center, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
David L
DL
Parker
Park Nicollet Institute, Health Research Center, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Samuel C
SC
Yamin
Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Public Health, Chicago, Illinois.
Lisa M
LM
Brosseau
Park Nicollet Institute, Health Research Center, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Min
M
Xi
Park Nicollet Institute, Health Research Center, St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Robert
R
Gordon
University of New England, School of Public Health, Portland, Maine.
Ivan G
IG
Most
MEMIC, Loss Control Division, Portland, Maine.
Rodney
R
Stanley
D057189:Checklist; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D008669:Metallurgy / Q000592:standards*; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012449:Safety; D058012:Small Business / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical; D014942:Workers' Compensation
lockout; machine guarding; occupational safety; risk management; small business; tagout