Which are the three means of safeguarding machinery?

• A. Devices, Guards, Location/Distance
• B. Interlocks, Shields, Warnings
• C. Guards, PPE, Training
• D. Devices, Interlocks, PPE

Answer: (A)

When safeguarding machinery, the most effective approach focuses on reducing or eliminating worker exposure through engineering controls that prevent hazards from reaching the worker. The three broad means are: devices that automatically stop or control machine motion when a hazard is detected, guards that physically prevent access to dangerous areas, and using distance or location to keep workers away from the hazard or to place the hazard out of reach. Examples include safety interlocks or presence-sensing devices as the devices, fences or barrier gates as the guards, and separating the worker from the danger or placing the hazard farther away as the distance/location method.

PPE or training, while important for overall safety, do not prevent access to the hazard in the same way and are not the primary safeguarding means described here. PPE protects the worker after exposure, and training informs about risks, but the three means above constitute the core engineering controls that directly reduce or eliminate hazards before contact.