What is a potential consequence of not having proper machine guards in place?

The presence of proper machine guards is crucial for ensuring workplace safety. Without machine guards, there is a significantly higher risk of injury to employees. These guards are designed to create a barrier between workers and hazardous machine parts, preventing accidental contact that could lead to serious injuries such as cuts, amputations, or other trauma. When guards are missing or inadequate, employees are more exposed to these dangers during normal machine operation, maintenance, or clearing jams, which can ultimately result in workplace accidents and injuries.

The other options, while they might suggest positive outcomes, do not align with the realities of inadequate machine guarding. Increased employee morale, reduced insurance premiums, and lower production costs are unlikely consequences of insufficient safety measures. In fact, the lack of proper safety protocols can lead to lower morale due to fear of injury, potentially higher insurance costs due to workplace accidents, and increased costs related to worker compensation claims or downtime from injuries.