While there are many different types of machine guards, there are a few things that they all have in common. Effective guards:

• are affixed directly to the equipment,
• do not create any additional hazard,
• protect the operator and others in the area from the physical hazards at the point of operation and along the parts of the equipment where exposure to a hazard has the potential to occur.

Use of any power machinery introduces the danger of personal injury due to pinching, cutting, tearing or crushing. This danger can be minimized by the wearing of suitable clothing and fitting suitable guards to protect both the operator and passing traffic.

Guards should be made of unperforated material but designed so as to allow access for inspection and maintenance and should not make the operation of the machine more difficult.

An obvious function of a machine guard is to keep the operator's body, fingers, clothing and arms away from the danger point without impeding the operation or obstructing vision.

Another function, which is less obvious, is to prevent a hazardous piece of material from striking the operator e.g. a grinding wheel guard. A suitable guard should not only be shaped to contain the hazard but must also be of sufficient strength to prevent the hazard from being flung out at the operator.

A guard may serve a further function in preventing the fitting of an unsafe attachment e.g an oversize wheel to a grinder. This aspect of guard function also applies to interlocks where the machine cannot be started or operated unless the guard is in position.

In addition to needing effective guards, equipment also needs to be anchored so that it cannot “walk” across the surface where it is used, which could also create a hazard for the operator and others in the area.

• For a complete guide to safe and effective machine guarding, see OSHA’s eTool for Machine Guarding.
• OSHA provides extensive information about proper safeguarding of equipment (PDF).

Electric equipment must be bolted/secured to the floor or a table on which it sits so that it will not spin and/or strike the operator. Vibrations caused during the operation of equipment or machinery can cause equipment to unexpectedly move and cause potential injury to the operator or those nearby.

For example, a floor-mounted drill press must be bolted to the floor. A table-mounted drill press must be secured to a properly sized and weighted table so as not to be top-heavy and must be and secured down.

Hand and power tools have the potential for causing severe injuries when used or maintained improperly. Special attention should be paid toward those working with hand and power tools to eliminate or reduce the potential for injury. Never bring in personal tools from home to use at work. 

Appropriate personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses with side shields, face shields, leather work gloves, or closed-toe shoes, must be worn when using hand tools. 

Extension Cords

• Extension cords used with any tool are only be used for temporary use.
• Extension cords must be the 3-pronged type (with ground). Ensure the appropriate extension cord is in use for the work location (indoor, outdoor, etc) and that it is designed for hard or extra-hard usage. Look for designation types S, ST, STO, SJ, SJO, SJT, and SJTO. 

Hand Tools

• Hand tools must only be used for their designed purpose.
• Hand tools must be inspected before use and maintained properly.
• Unsafe hand tools should be removed from use immediately and repaired, if possible.
• Impact tools, such as drift pins, wedges, and chisels, must be free of mushroomed heads.
• Wooden handles must be free of cracks or splinters and be tight to the tool.
• Wrenches must not be used when jaws are sprung to the point that slippage occurs.

Portable Power Tools and equipment (e.g circular saws, jigsaws, drills, hammer-drills, sanders, grinders, routers

• Use tools for their intended purpose and in the manner intended.
• Electric power-operated tools must be double-insulated or properly grounded. 
• Never operate a power tool unless you have been trained and authorized to do so.
• Inspect tools daily to ensure that they are in proper working order.
• Tag out and remove damaged or defective tools from use. 
• Guards and protective devices on any power tool must be in place at all times; never use a tool if guards have been removed.
• Never use electric power tools while standing in water.
• Only qualified persons are to repair electric tools or equipment.

Air Tools

• Pneumatic power tools must be secured to the hose in such a way as to prevent accidental disconnection.
• Safety clips or retainers must be securely installed to prevent attachments from being inadvertently expelled.
• Never exceed the manufacturer’s safe operating pressure for all fittings.
• Hoses exceeding ½ inch inside diameter must have a safety device at the source of supply or branch line to reduce pressure in the event of hose failure.

Powder-Actuated Tools

• Manufacturer's instructions must be located with the tool at all times.
• No employee may operate a powder-actuated tool unless trained in all manufacturers’ instructions and authorized by their shop supervisor. 
• Powder-actuated tools must never be left loaded and unattended.
• Used shots must be disposed of properly.