March 2007 - OSHA Revises Guide Intended to Help Protect Employees from Amputations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has revised the guide, Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Employees from Amputations, that is intended to assist employers in protecting their workers from amputations and providing a safe and healthful workplace. Amputations are among the most severe and disabling workplace injuries that result in permanent disability. These injuries are associated with mis-use of machines, such as saws, presses, conveyors, and bending, rolling, or shaping machines, as well as powered and non-powered hand tools, forklifts, doors, and trash compactors, and during materials handling activities.

The revised OSHA guide identifies eight mechanical motions and eight hazardous actions that present possible amputation hazards. The guide also sets forth steps employers can take to reduce these hazards. Topics covered in the document include hazard analysis, safeguarding machinery, awareness devices, and hazardous energy (lockout/tagout).

Printed copies of OSHA's revised guide are available by calling (202) 693-1888, or by writing U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA Publications, P.O. Box 37535, Washington, D.C. 20013-7535. It is also available on OSHA's Web site at www.osha.gov/pls/publications/pubindex.list, or as a PDF at www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3170.pdf.

COPYRIGHT ©2007, ISO Services Properties, Inc.

The information contained in this publication was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. ISO Services Properties, Inc., its companies and employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with either the information herein contained or the safety suggestions herein made. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that every acceptable safety procedure is contained herein or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional procedure.