What is a common hazard that machine guards are designed to address?

Machine guards are specifically designed to prevent accidental contact with moving parts of machinery, which is a significant hazard in many industrial environments. The primary function of these guards is to create a barrier between operators or any personnel and the components of the machine that pose a risk of injury, such as rotating shafts, blades, and other moving elements. By safeguarding these areas, guards help reduce the likelihood of accidents such as cuts, crush injuries, or other types of harm that can occur if someone inadvertently comes into contact with these dangerous moving parts during operation.

While heat exposure from machinery, exposure to toxic chemicals, and noise pollution are all potential hazards in a workplace, machine guards are not designed to mitigate these specific risks. Heat exposure typically requires proper ventilation or thermal barriers, toxic chemical exposure is managed through containment and personal protective equipment, and noise pollution might be addressed with sound-proofing measures or ear protection. Thus, the focus of machine guards is solely on preventing physical injuries related to moving machinery components.