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Guarding

Frequently asked questions

 Woodworking machine guarding

  1. When can the riving knife and top guard be removed on a table saw?
  2. When cutting plywood, MDF or other panel board on a circular saw bench or panel saw, can the riving knife be removed?
  3. I have been told that mutton chop guard or dogleg guard on surface planer do not comply with the Australian Standards. Is this correct?
  4. What are the guarding requirements for radial arm saws?
  5. What are the guarding requirements of beam saws?
  6. Are all bandsaws required to have brakes?
  7. Is there a requirement to have a clear guard on a panel saw so I can watch the blade cutting

Metal machinery guarding

  1. What are the guarding requirements for press brakes?
  2. When I purchase a second hand machine who should supply the guards?
  3. Are bench grinders required to have eye shields?
  4. Can I remove the rotating guard on a hand held grinder when I fit a cutting disc?
  5. Do I have to guard the back of a guillotine?
  6. Where can I get information about guarding machines?
  7. Is pulsing an approved form of guarding press brakes?

 Woodworking machine guarding

1. When can the riving knife and top guard be removed on a table saw?

The top guard and riving knife can only be removed when performing rebating, grooving or trenching. These tasks generally afford the operator with some protection from the workpiece whilst the task is being performed. Operator must refer to the manufacturers instructions for the use and adjustment.  Model instructions for the safe operation of specific woodworking machines are available in AS 1473.2 - 2001.

2. When cutting plywood, MDF or other panel board on a circular saw bench or panel saw, can the riving knife be removed.

A riving knife is a blade of high grade steel set behind and in line with the saw blade. Its main purpose is to prevent the sides of an incomplete cut from closing on the up-running part of the saw blade thereby reducing the risk of the workpiece being thrown back at the operator. This hazard is commonly known as a “kickback”.

The riving knife also affords a measure of protection against the contact with the teeth when the operator or the person assisting the operator removes the workpiece from the back of the saw.

There is no difference in the likelihood of a kick back occurring when panel boards are being cut compared to solid timber therefore the riving knife is not to be removed unless trenching, grooving or rebating or in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

3. I have been told that mutton chop guard or dogleg guard on surface planer do not comply with the Australian Standards is this correct?

The Australian Standards define that surface planers shall be guarded by a fixed guard, an adjustable guard or an automatic guard. Therefore, the type of guard provided by the manufacturer should comply with AS 1473.6 - 2005.

Bridge guarding is the most effective form of guarding on surface planers however over the years changes to machine design has seen the introduction of a number of types of guards including mutton chop guards. More importantly, the correct adjustment and use of the guards in accordance with the manufacturers instructions is the issue not the type of guard.

4. What are the guarding requirements for radial arm saws?

The radial arm saws can be used for a number of operations including trenching, crosscutting and ripping. The type of guarding required is dependant of the operation that is being performed for example; when cross cutting is being performed the radial arm shall be fitted with an adjustable side guard and a return device. Refer to the manufacturers instructions to ensure the radial arm saw is adjusted and maintained correctly.

5. What are the guarding requirements of beam saws?

The guarding requirements for a beam saw are provided in Australian Standards 1473.3 -2005.

6.  Are all bandsaws required to have brakes?

No. Some bandsaws are fitted with electric or foot operated brakes these devices should be regularly tested and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. These devices slow the rotation of the bottom wheel of the bandsaw to reduce the stopping time of the bandsaw.

7. Is there a requirement to have a clear guard on a panel saw so I can  watch the blade cutting?

No. There are no requirements to have a clear top guard for panel and bench saws.
The workpiece is supported by the side fence therefore the operator should be ensuring that the workpiece is making contact with the side fence and that the hands are out of the path of the workpiece and the saw blade. Further information can be found in AS 4024.1 -1996.

 Metal Machinery Guarding

1. What are the guarding requirements for press brakes?

Press brakes and Power presses are to be guarded in accordance with Regulation 4.29 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. Regulation 4.29(i) introduces a hierarchy of safeguards in respect to guarding plant guarding; requiring consideration of a permanently fixed physical barrier where practicable.

Where access to the dangerous part is required, an interlocking physical barrier is to be provided. Where neither a permanently fixed barrier or an interlocking physical barrier is practicable , a physical barrier securely fixed by fasteners that require a tool remove them, must be considered.

Only where none of the physical barriers are practicable options can a “presences sensing” safeguard system be used. In may cases physical barriers will be practicable. AS 4024.1-1996 and AS 1219 -1994 provide good information on the selection and use of machinery safeguards.

2. When I purchase a second hand machine who should supply the guards?

Whether the machine is new or second-hand, it is the supplier’s responsibility to provide the guards. The supplier is also required provide any relevant information and documentation relating the guards and the machine at the time of the sale. It is also the responsibility of the supplier to ensure the guards are functional when sold.

3. Are bench grinders required to have eye shields?

Yes. Bench grinders are required to have eye shields. These guards protect the operator from the potential ejected debris from the grinding process. These must be fitted and adjusted in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

4. Can I remove the rotating guard on a hand held grinder when I fit a cutting disc?

No. The fitting of cutting discs to grinders must be done in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Some manufacturers have specific guards manufactured for the various types of discs that can be fitted to hand held grinders. This requirement also includes ensuring the disc collet size and revolutions per minute are suitable for the grinder. Cutting discs should not be fitted to large grinders, as the potential for the disc to be come unstable and disintegrate is extremely high.

5. Do I have to guard the back of a guillotine?

Yes. Guards must be fitted to the rear of the guillotine. Guards are to be fitted to any part of the machine where there is the potential for a person to make contact with any moving parts or where there are any other hazards present.

6. Where can I get information about guarding machines?

Australian Standard 4024.1 (1996) is a source of information for the guarding of machinery; also, other Australian Standards provide information on machine guarding.

7. Is pulsing an approved form of guarding press brakes?

No. Pulsing is a series of controlled movements of the press tool. Each of these short movements or pulses is preset, and require the actuation of the stroke initiating control for each successive pulse. 

As pulsing is a method of controlling the decent of the tool or dangerous part, it is not a recognised form of guarding. Pulsing can be used as control measure in conjunction with other forms of guarding. For further information, refer to AS 1219 - 1994. 

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