What is a common sign that machine guards are improperly designed?

A common sign that machine guards are improperly designed is when employees bypass or remove guards. This behavior indicates that the guards may not be practical, user-friendly, or effective in providing safety. If workers find the guards to be cumbersome or obstructive to their tasks, they are more likely to disregard safety protocols by removing or bypassing these protective measures. This compromises the safety of the workplace and increases the likelihood of accidents and injuries, emphasizing the importance of designing machine guards that are both effective in protecting workers and conducive to their workflow.

In contrast, increased productivity, consistent worker satisfaction ratings, and routine inspection of machine performance do not directly indicate that guards are poorly designed. High productivity and satisfaction can sometimes be achieved even with ineffective safeguards, while routine inspections might not reveal underlying design flaws unless they specifically focus on the safety aspects of the machinery.