Centrifugal Pump Machine Guarding Issue Solved
If your company has a centrifugal pump, you may have a machine guarding issue that can put you at risk for violation. Learn how to fix it in our blog.
If your company has a centrifugal pump, you may have a machine guarding issue issue at risk for violation. There is an exposed part of the machine that many manufacturers do not make guards for because the seals in this area are important for accessibility, maintenance, and operational purposes. Below is an easy solution to fix this issue to make it machine guarding compliant and accessible at the same time.
OSHA Standard 1910.219(c)(2) provides details regarding horizontal shafting requirements. Among those is that no one should be able to reach a finger into the machine. Most pump manufacturers provide guards for the pump coupling, that is, the component that connects the power source to the pump. However, guards are not typically provided for the space between the bearing frame and the casing (frame adapter). In this space, the rotating shaft is exposed, and the packing gland or mechanical seal is located. This space is often inspected to determine if the packing gland or mechanical seal is leaking. Placing a typical guard over this area prevents important monitoring functions.
A simple solution to this problem is to cover the frame adapter with plastic mesh and secure it with an extension spring. The plastic mesh and extension spring come in many materials of construction to assure compatibility with the fluid being pumped. Plastic mesh or netting enables inspection of the packing gland or seal and is easily removed for maintenance. The plastic mesh can be cut, without difficulty, to fit each specific pump application. As it is plastic rather than metal, the instances of being cut and injured on jagged edges are also removed.
In our experience, OSHA inspectors have been taking a look at these areas in their machine guarding audits. To learn more about this machine guarding issue, contact us and we can assist!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does OSHA’s machine guarding standard require for rotating shaft and coupling protection?
OSHA Standard 1910.219(c)(2) requires that no worker should be able to reach a finger into a rotating machine. Rotating shafts, couplings, and bearing frames must be guarded to prevent contact with moving parts. Pump couplings, packing glands, and mechanical seals must all be protected from worker access. Guards must be designed to prevent accidental contact while allowing necessary inspection and maintenance. iSi Environmental helps facilities identify and remedy machine guarding violations on centrifugal pumps and other rotating equipment.
Q: How can facilities maintain OSHA machine guarding compliance while allowing inspection of packing glands and mechanical seals?
Plastic mesh or netting secured with extension springs provides an effective solution that satisfies OSHA machine guarding requirements while allowing visual inspection of packing glands and mechanical seals. The plastic mesh can be easily cut to fit specific pump configurations, removed for maintenance without tools, and is available in materials compatible with various fluids. This solution prevents worker contact with rotating shafts while maintaining necessary operational visibility. iSi Environmental recommends plastic mesh guarding for pumps where traditional metal guards would impede critical monitoring functions.
Q: What are the consequences of failing OSHA machine guarding inspections?
Machine guarding violations are among OSHA’s Top 10 most-cited violations. Violations can result in penalties ranging from $10,000 to over $160,000 for willful violations, plus costs to retrofit equipment. OSHA has specifically targeted machine guarding around pump couplings, bearing frames, and rotating shafts during compliance audits. Failure to remedy violations can result in work stoppages and additional citations. iSi Environmental conducts machine guarding audits to identify and remediate violations before OSHA inspectors find them.
Q: What materials of construction are available for plastic mesh machine guards?
Plastic mesh and extension springs come in multiple materials of construction to ensure compatibility with pumped fluids including water, oils, solvents, and chemicals. Different plastic materials have different chemical resistance properties. Facilities must select mesh materials that will not degrade or fail when exposed to the fluids being pumped. iSi Environmental helps facilities select appropriate materials for machine guarding retrofits that meet both safety and operational requirements.
Need help with osha compliance? Contact iSi Environmental for a same-day quote, or explore our osha services to see how we can help your facility.