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726 Introduction to Machine Guarding
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Advantages of User-Built Guards

User-built guards are sometimes necessary for a variety of reasons. They provide the following advantages:

  • Often, with older machinery, they are the only practical safeguarding solution.
  • They may be the only choice for mechanical power transmission apparatus in older plants, where machinery is not powered by individual motor drives.
  • They permit options for point-of-operation safeguards when skilled personnel design and make them.
  • They can be designed and built to fit unique and even changing situations.
  • They can be installed on individual dies and feeding mechanisms.
  • Design and installation of machine safeguards by plant personnel can help to promote safety consciousness in the workplace.

Disadvantages of User-Built Guards

User-built guards also have disadvantages:

  • User-built guards may not conform well to the configuration and function of the machine.
  • There is a risk that user-built guards may be poorly designed or built.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

5-2. Which of the following is a disadvantage of user-built machine guards?