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MACHINE GUARDING
by your risk assessment vendor. Please keep in mind that you need to comply with government regulations.
■ Implement the agreed-upon solution. Make sure you get buy-in from the users. This is possibly the most important point in this discussion, because if the machine operators and the main- tenance people do not buy into the new safeguards, they will find a way to defeat or override them. Trust me! It is truly amazing to witness the lengths people will go to in order to work around an inefficient safeguard.
g) Validate the risk reduction solution. (Once the guarding concept—solution—is installed, the system needs to be tested for effectiveness and proper operation. Test all safety devices and circuits and document the results. Review and update safe work procedures, maintenance procedures [LOTO]. Train all applicable personnel on the newly installed safety systems and updated procedures.)
h) Document the process and results. (Document the assess- ment process, scoring method, risk levels, risk reduction methods, residual risk, validation results, safe mounting distance calcula- tions, training, and sign-off.)
3. To further qualify your machine safeguarding partner, ask:
“What kind of assessment report will you get?” and “What should it include?” The information in the assessment report is critical for the machine guarding decision-making process. Does the report include or identify:
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a) the process used;