Custom Baldor Downdraft Buffer

OSHA 1910.212(b) — Anchoring of Fixed Machinery

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212(b) establishes the requirement that machines designed for fixed location use must be securely anchored to prevent walking, shifting, or tipping during operation.
This rule ensures that heavy machinery and equipment remain stable, reducing the risk of vibration-related hazards, misalignment, or sudden movement that could injure workers.

Why Anchoring Matters

Unanchored machines may shift due to vibration, torque, or accidental impact. This can lead to:

• Entanglement hazards from belts, pulleys, or shafts shifting out of guard alignment.
• Pinch points created when moving machinery drifts into work areas.
• Tip-over risks for tall or top-heavy equipment.
• Equipment damage caused by instability, leading to costly downtime.

Examples of Machines Requiring Anchoring

• Bench and pedestal grinders
• Drill presses and milling machines
• Industrial lathes
• Power presses and punch presses
• Floor-mounted saws or shears

Best Practices for Compliance

• Use bolts, lag screws, or anchor systems to secure equipment to floors, bases, or foundations.
• Verify anchoring integrity during routine inspections and after machine relocation.
• Install on a level, vibration-dampening surface to prevent loosening over time.
• Follow manufacturer’s anchoring recommendations for each machine type.
• Document anchoring checks as part of your machine guarding and safety audits.

Relation to Other OSHA Standards

OSHA 1910.212(b) works hand-in-hand with OSHA 1910.212(a) (general machine guarding)
and OSHA 1910.215 (abrasive wheel machinery). For example, pedestal grinders must be both guarded and anchored to fully comply with OSHA requirements.

Compliance Checklist

• Confirm machines designed for fixed use are bolted or otherwise secured to the floor or base.
• Inspect anchors for wear, looseness, or corrosion.
• Re-secure machines after relocation, vibration, or maintenance.
• Train employees not to operate machinery that is unstable or improperly anchored.

FAQ

OSHA 1910.213(a)(12) — Exhaust Hood or Guarding Requirements for Circular Saws Beneath or Behind the Table

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.213(a)(12) addresses hazards associated with the underside and rear portions of circular saw blades.
The rule requires that these areas, which are often exposed below or behind the table, be enclosed by either a dust exhaust hood or a physical guard to prevent accidental contact with the rotating blade.

Regulatory Text

“For all circular saws where conditions are such that there is a possibility of contact with the portion of the saw either beneath or behind the table, that portion of the saw shall be covered with an exhaust hood, or, if no exhaust system is required, with a guard that shall be so arranged as to prevent accidental contact with the saw.”

Purpose and Intent

This provision aims to protect workers from inadvertent contact with exposed blade sections and to control airborne wood dust generated during cutting operations.
The exhaust hood serves a dual purpose: providing physical guarding and facilitating dust collection to improve air quality.
When an exhaust system is not used, a fixed or adjustable metal guard must be installed to prevent the operator or nearby workers from reaching beneath or behind the saw.

Key Requirements

• Guarding requirement: Any portion of a circular saw blade beneath or behind the table that presents a risk of contact must be enclosed.
• Exhaust hood option: When a dust exhaust system is installed, the hood must fully cover the exposed portion of the blade and connect to the collection ductwork.
• Alternative guarding: If no exhaust system is required, a rigid guard must be installed to prevent accidental hand or body contact.
• Design integrity: Guards and hoods must remain securely attached and durable enough to withstand normal operation and vibration.
• Accessibility: Guards should allow maintenance and cleaning access without compromising coverage or requiring removal during normal operation.

Common Hazards Controlled

• Accidental contact: Operators reaching beneath the table during material handling or cleanup may contact the spinning blade.
• Kickback trajectory: Ejected materials can strike workers from the rear of the machine if not shielded.
• Wood dust inhalation: Exhaust hoods capture airborne sawdust and reduce respiratory hazards.
• Entanglement: Loose clothing, gloves, or cords can be drawn into the exposed lower blade section.

Design Recommendations

• Use metal or heavy-duty polymer hoods that fully enclose the lower blade area while allowing efficient dust extraction.
• Position exhaust hoods to maximize airflow capture at the point of dust generation beneath the table.
• Ensure that all guards or hoods maintain at least ½-inch clearance from the moving blade to prevent friction or interference.
• In non-dust-collection setups, install a rigid, non-removable cover enclosing the blade beneath the table.
• Include inspection ports or hinged panels that allow for safe blade replacement and cleaning access.

Inspection and Maintenance Practices

• Inspect hoods and guards daily for cracks, looseness, or missing fasteners.
• Ensure exhaust ducts are clear of blockages and maintain sufficient suction velocity for dust control.
• Replace damaged or warped guards immediately to maintain proper clearance and coverage.
• Verify that the hood or guard fully encloses the blade whenever the saw is adjusted for depth or tilt.
• Clean accumulated dust regularly to maintain proper airflow and prevent fire hazards.

Best Practices for Compliance

• Incorporate lower blade guards into your machine guarding checklist under 1910.213 compliance audits.
• Provide operators with training on the purpose and function of exhaust hoods and blade guards.
• Lock out and tag out machines before removing or servicing exhaust hoods or lower guards.
• Use exhaust systems designed to meet NFPA 664 standards for combustible dust control.
• Regularly verify that all guards and exhaust attachments remain properly aligned and functional after maintenance.

Why OSHA 1910.213(a)(12) Is Important

OSHA 1910.213(a)(12) is a vital safety measure for controlling both physical and respiratory hazards associated with circular saws.
By requiring either an exhaust hood or guard beneath and behind the table, the standard protects workers from accidental contact with hidden blade sections and helps manage the significant risk of wood dust exposure.
Compliance enhances both operator safety and shop cleanliness, supporting OSHA’s broader goals under 29 CFR 1910 Subpart O and Subpart Z (Air Contaminants).

FAQ

B11.9 — Safety Requirements for Grinding Machines

The B11.9 standard (ANSI B11.9-2010 (R2020)) applies to all stationary grinding machines used in industrial or commercial applications that utilize abrasive products to change the shape, size or surface finish of any material (including glass, ceramics, plastics, rubber). :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
It excludes portable hand-held grinding machines, machines using loose abrasives, woodworking applications, concrete cutting operations, honing, lapping or polishing machines, and belt grinding machines. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Scope & Application

This standard covers stationary grinding machines—those that are fixed in position during operation and use abrasive products. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
It encompasses peripheral, cylindrical, surface, tool-grinding, cutoff and similar machines where abrasive wheels or segments perform material removal by abrasive action.

Key Safety Topics Addressed

• Abrasive product guarding and work-zone enclosures: The standard sets requirements for guards around abrasive wheels and enclosures around work zones to prevent ejection of fragments. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• Design and construction of grinding machines: Ensures machines are built with structural integrity, appropriate guarding, safe access for maintenance, and safe arrangement of feed, coolant, and exhaust systems.
• Control functions and operator access: Addresses machine start-up/shutdown, safe modes, automatic cycles, operator access during loading/unloading, and ensuring motions stop when guards are opened or safety devices activated.
• Material removal, wheel mounting and speed considerations: Emphasizes that machines must be used only with wheels rated for the speed, must be mounted correctly and operated in safe conditions to avoid wheel failure or ejection. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Lifecycle responsibilities: Assigns roles for machine builders/suppliers, integrators/modifiers and users across design, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance, modification and decommissioning phases of grinding machines. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Risk assessment and combination with other standards: The standard refers to general risk-assessment requirements (such as those in B11.0) and performance criteria for safeguarding (such as B11.19). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Why It Matters

Grinding machines operate at high speeds, often with abrasive wheels that can fail catastrophically, producing high-velocity fragments and ejected material. There are also hazards from rotating parts, coolant, dust, vibration, operator access to moving parts, setup/maintenance exposure and unexpected motion.
By applying the framework of B11.9, manufacturers, users and safety professionals can adopt recognized engineering practices for protecting personnel, maintaining safe machine conditions, and fulfilling an obligation to apply good engineering practice in machine safety programs.

Practical Implementation Tips

• Ensure that every abrasive wheel is correctly rated for speed, mounted properly, and that guards fully cover wheel mounting flanges and expose minimal openings required for the operation.
• Perform a detailed risk assessment considering loading/unloading, tool setup, wheel dressing/truing, automatic vs manual cycles, coolant spray, dust generation, ejection zones and maintenance access.
• Inspect and verify guards or enclosures around the grinding wheel, work-zone containment for chip/projectile ejection, and ensure interlocks or presence-sensing devices prevent operator exposure during motion.
• Train operators and maintenance personnel on hazards unique to grinding: wheel failure, kick-back, flashpoint of coolant/oils, dust inhalation, reaching into guarded zones, and safe changeover procedures.
• When machines are rebuilt, modified or retrofitted (for example new automation or loading/unloading device added), treat them as new from a safety standpoint: re-validate safeguards, perform fresh risk assessment, update documentation and ensure compliance with B11.9 requirements.

B11.TR5 — Noise Level Measurement Guidelines

The B11.TR5 – 2006 (R2017)** technical report offers industry-specific methods for measuring, evaluating and reporting sound/ noise levels of machines and machine production systems. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
It is intended for machine builders, purchasers and users who want reliable data on machine sound emissions, support “buy-quiet” type specifications, or estimate the effect a machine will have on ambient sound levels once installed. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}