Machine Guarding Template

Imagine walking through your worksite knowing every machine is safely guarded, every inspection completed on time, and every operator trained and protected.

With the right safety checks in place, you can prevent costly accidents, extend the life of your equipment, and stay fully compliant with safety regulations.

What Is a Machine Guarding Checklist?

A machine guarding checklist – also known as a machine safety checklist – is a document that organizes essential safety checks and maintenance tasks for machines, focusing on guards and safety barriers to protect workers from injuries due to moving parts, nonmechanical and mechanical hazards, and flying debris.

Every machine in a facility has unique hazards and the machine guard acts as the first line of defense. It can prevent injuries like broken fingers, burns, and other common accidents.

In regulated industries, the stakes are high: without these safeguards, companies risk costly fines or citations if inspectors identify safety issues.

What’s Included in a Machine Guarding Checklist?

A comprehensive checklist covers multiple areas of machinery safety, ensuring nothing is missed. Here are the seven main components to include:

1. General Safeguard Assessment

This section examines the overall condition and functionality of the machine’s safeguard. Key areas covered include:

• Security of safeguards
• Contact prevention 
• Protection from falling objects
• Comfort and safety

2. Point of Operation Safety

This component focuses on the specific area where the machine interacts with material or the operator performs a function:

• Presence of guard
• Operator safety
• Tampering and removal

3. Mechanical Hazard Assessment

This component deals with identifying and addressing mechanical hazards that may exist on or around the machinery:

• Unprotected moving parts
• Starting and stopping controls
• Multi-Operator Access

4. Nonmechanical Hazard Assessment

Nonmechanical hazards, such as noise require the following checks:

• Noise hazards
• PPE for nonmechanical risks
• Environmental safeguards

5. Electrical Hazard Safeguards

This component focuses on potential electrical hazards associated with the machinery:

• Proper grounding
• Fused and guarded power supply
• Loose fittings and minor shocks

6. Maintenance and Repair Protocols

This section ensures safety protocols during repair and maintenance are followed:

• Lockout/tagout compliance
• Multiple lockout devices
• Use of PPE

7. Employee Training

This section ensures that workers completed safety training and aware of the safety measures in place:

• Operator training
• Up-to-date maintenance training
• Incident response training

By covering these s components, a machine guarding checklist ensures that all potential risks are managed, promoting a safe working environment.

Why It’s More Effective to Use Digital Machine Guarding Checklists

Switching from paper to digital checklists offers substantial benefits, enhancing both safety and efficiency. Here’s why it makes a difference:

• Routine, Complete Inspections: Digital checklists help prevent “visual-only” inspections by ensuring that each check is fully documented and trackable.
• Faster Maintenance and Repairs: With automation, you’ll know exactly when a machine needs repair, which reduces downtime and minimizes risk.
• Regulatory Compliance and Peace of Mind: Digital tracking gives you proof of compliance, showing that you’re following all machine safety regulations.
• Longer Machinery Lifespan: Routine maintenance and repairs help extend the life of your machines, saving you costs on replacements.

Best Practices for Creating a Machine Guarding Checklist

A well-thought-out machine guarding checklist isn’t just about safety – it’s your ticket to a more productive worksite. To get the most out of your checklist, keep it specific, practical, and tailored to your daily operations.

1. Pinpoint Hazards for Each Machine. Start by identifying every hazard your team could encounter on the job. Does this machine have exposed moving parts? High-voltage areas? Loud noise or dangerous debris? The better you know your equipment, the more precise and effective your checklist will be.
2. Separate Mechanical and Nonmechanical Hazards. Every machine has two sides: the visible and the invisible. Mechanical hazards like belts, gears, and other moving parts are clear risks, but nonmechanical ones – like noise or dust exposure – are just as important. List each type of risk separately so operators know exactly what to check and how to protect themselves.
3. Be Specific with Guard Requirements. Protecting operators at the point of operation is key. Detail what type of guard each machine needs, from fixed guards that stay in place to interlocking ones that shut the machine off if removed. Simple descriptions like “fixed guard around pulleys” make it easy for everyone to know what’s expected.
4. Prioritize Electrical Safety Checks. Electricity can be a silent hazard, and a minor issue here can mean big trouble later. Add steps to check that wiring is grounded, and include visual checks for loose or exposed fittings.
5. Standardize Lockout/Tagout Steps. LOTO isn’t just a requirement – it’s peace of mind for your team. Make sure your checklist includes clear instructions for lockout procedures, especially for machines needing multiple locks
6. Document Operator Training. Is everyone up to speed on how to operate safely? Add a section to verify training, so you know who’s certified and what needs a refresh. Regular training, along with a checklist reminder, makes sure everyone is prepared for both routine tasks and emergency situations.
7. Automate Maintenance and Inspections. Regular inspections can feel repetitive, but they’re essential. Set an easy-to-follow schedule, checking guards, bolts, and wear regularly. Automating these tasks with digital checklists can help track when each task was done, what was found, and what still needs attention.
8. Automate to Maximize Field Productivity. When inspections and notes are just a tap away, everyone works faster, and you have instant access to data for audits and repairs. Plus, automated reminders than you can set when using  workplace safety inspection software mean you never miss an inspection date, so downtime gets reduced.

How Fluix Can Help You Manage Machine Guarding Checklist

Fluix is field productivity software that offers all the tools you need to digitize your machine guarding and make it straightforward and efficient.

• Customizable Form Builder. Build any checklist using Fluix’s drag-and-drop form builder. This tool allows you to add fields, instructions, and requirements to ensure your checklist covers every critical point.
• Digital Checklists and Template Library. You can keep all your templates – fillable PDFs or web forms – organized and ready for use, so your admins can pull up consistent, compliant checklists instantly and use them across different machines and inspections.
• Comments for Detailed Documentation. Fluix’s comments and forms feature lets inspectors add notes or attach relevant documents if they spot an issue, making it easy to capture and communicate critical information on the spot.
• Task Assignments. If an inspection identifies issues that require immediate action, Fluix’s task assignment feature allows you to assign these follow-up tasks right within the app.
• Automated Approvals. Fluix integrates approval steps directly into your workflow, allowing managers or safety officers to review and sign off on completed inspections.

By using these features, your team gets an efficient way to handle machine guarding, from checklist creation to final approvals. No more lost paperwork, missed steps, or miscommunications – just a fully digital process that saves time, boosts field productivity, and keeps your site safe.