Band Saw Safety 101: Guarding Against Risks in Vertical and Horizontal Band Saws

August 11, 2023 / in Machine Safety Blog
In the world of manufacturing, metalworking, and woodworking, band saws – vertical and horizontal alike – are indispensable tools. While they contribute immensely to operational efficiency, they also pose significant safety risks if not handled and safeguarded appropriately. Today, we’ll delve into how to make these machines safer for operators, thereby mitigating potential accidents. Understanding…
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Machine Shop Safety for Managers

July 4, 2023 / in Machine Safety Blog
“Building a Strong Foundation: Machine Shop Safety for Managers, Supervisors, and Safety Engineers” Thousands of machine shops are spread nationwide and play a vital role in manufacturing processes.  However, ensuring these shops meet safety standards can be challenging, especially for those that are not directly involved in machine operations.  This article on machine shop safety…
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Safety Guarding on Milling Machines

April 25, 2023 / in Machine Safety Blog
Safety guarding on milling machines is more important than ever due to occupational health and safety evolution. Milling machines have existed for centuries and are still vital to today’s manufacturing industry. Early milling machines did not have operator safety in mind and featured open drivetrain components and no safety shields.  As with any powered machinery,…
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Guards for Drill Presses & Drill Press Safety

March 17, 2023 / in Machine Safety Blog
Are you looking to guard your drill press or find out how to ensure you or your employees can use a drill press safely?  In this article, I will dive deep into everything related to drill press safety, including what kind of guarding upgrades you can make and drill press safety tips. What are Drill…
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How to Calculate Safety Distances for Light Curtain Installation

February 22, 2023 / in Machine Safety Blog
Last Updated: 2023-08-28 Safety light curtains are an essential component of industrial safety systems.  We use these devices to detect the presence of people or objects in a hazardous area and prevent equipment from starting or operating if there is a risk of injury.  However, to ensure that light curtains provide effective protection, it is…
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Interlocked Guarding

December 1, 2022 / in Machine Safety Blog
We always tell people to get interlocked guarding over their non-interlocked versions.  In fact, most of the safety guards and shields that Ferndale Safety offers come with an electrical interlock switch. And when wired correctly, it prevents a machine from starting and running while open. We believe that interlock guards prevent workers from doing unsafe…
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Grinder Guarding

November 23, 2022 / in Machine Safety Blog
We get asked a lot about grinder guarding because there seems to be confusion about the safety requirements.  Indeed, the common bench & pedestal grinder is found in almost every machine shop and is undeniably a workhorse.  In fact, due to the popularity of these machines, they are often cited by OSHA for safety violations. …
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