Band Saw Safety 101: Guarding Against Risks in Vertical and Horizontal Band Saws

August 11, 2023 / in Machine Safety Blog
In the world of manufacturing, metalworking, and woodworking, band saws – vertical and horizontal alike – are indispensable tools. While they contribute immensely to operational efficiency, they also pose significant safety risks if not handled and safeguarded appropriately. Today, we’ll delve into how to make these machines safer for operators, thereby mitigating potential accidents. Understanding…
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Machine Shop Safety for Managers

July 4, 2023 / in Machine Safety Blog
“Building a Strong Foundation: Machine Shop Safety for Managers, Supervisors, and Safety Engineers” Thousands of machine shops are spread nationwide and play a vital role in manufacturing.  However, ensuring these shops meet safety standards can be challenging, especially for those not directly involved in machine operations.  This article on machine shop safety is not just…
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Lathe Guards: Enhancing Safety and Efficiency

May 25, 2023 / in Machine Safety Blog
Updated: 2024-05-10 TL; DR Lathes are dangerous!  Add lathe safety guarding such as a chuck shield, chip shield for the cross slide, and covers on the lead screw.  Also, don’t overlook the backsplash, tools falling off the headstock into the chuck, or the tailstock falling on your feet! Like any machine with exposed moving or…
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Safety Guarding on Milling Machines

April 25, 2023 / in Machine Safety Blog
Safety guarding on milling machines is more important than ever due to occupational health and safety evolution. Milling machines have existed for centuries and are still vital to today’s manufacturing industry. Early milling machines did not have operator safety in mind and featured open drivetrain components and no safety shields.  As with any powered machinery,…
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Guards for Drill Presses & Drill Press Safety

March 17, 2023 / in Machine Safety Blog
Updated: 2024-05-23 Are you looking to guard your drill press or learn how to ensure you or your employees can use it safely? In this article, I will discuss everything related to drill press safety, including what guarding upgrades you can make and drill press safety tips. What are Drill Presses & How are they…
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How to Calculate Safety Distances for Light Curtain Installation

February 22, 2023 / in Machine Safety Blog
Last Updated: 2024-04-12 Safety light curtains are an essential component of industrial safety systems. They detect the presence of people or objects in a hazardous area and prevent equipment from starting or operating if there is a risk of injury. However, to ensure that light curtains provide effective protection, we must calculate the safety distances…
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Interlocked Guarding

December 1, 2022 / in Machine Safety Blog
We always tell people to get interlocked guarding over their non-interlocked versions. In fact, most of the safety guards and shields that Ferndale Safety offers come with an electrical interlock switch. When wired correctly, this switch prevents a machine from starting and running while open. We believe that interlock guards prevent workers from doing unsafe…
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How to Safeguard Your Bench Grinder

November 23, 2022 / in Machine Safety Blog
Last updated: 2024-11-29 We get asked a lot about grinder guarding because there seems to be confusion about the safety requirements. Indeed, the standard bench and pedestal grinder is found in almost every machine shop and is undeniably a workhorse. Due to their popularity, OSHA often cites them for safety violations. There are various grinders,…
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A Safety Shield and a Guard – What’s the Difference?

January 3, 2022 / in Machine Safety Blog
When it comes to safeguarding your machinery, you have two basic options: guards and safety shields. Great! So, what are they? How are they different? And how do you know that you’re using the right type of safety equipment in your shop? Let’s dive into what it takes to protect your most valuable assets –…
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