I have a situation where a machine has a robot attached to it and the robot and assembler table next to the machine needs guarding. The dilemma is that management wants all machine guarding to be permenantly mounted and not on wheels. The next problem is that the guard will be blocking part of the machines electrical panel. The panel has a disconnect on it that can still be accessed with ease but to enter the panel the cover will have to be removed which will require moving the guard. The machine is receiving power from a main panel disconnect located next to it. The guard cannot be designed around the panel and still meet the clearance requirements for guarding. My question is will blocking the panel be ok since the machine disconnect is still accessable and since the entire machine is powered from a disconnect located right next to it that is also easily accessible and is actually the electrical LOTO point outlined in the LOTO procedure for the machine?

It is difficult to visualize your situation, but I would think that it would be okay to block the electrical panel with the guard as long as disconnects can be accessed without removing the guard. Then the procedure should always be to lock out the machine prior to removing the guard and accessing the electrical panel.

Dustin,

From a LOTO point of view, I think you are probably OK. I would put a label on the blocked switch stating which panel and breaker are to be used to disable the power. From an electrical safety point of view, take a look at 1910.303 Table S-1. You'll have to decide if its applicable. Two other thoughts.

One, ask your electrician if he can move the switch to another location. I've seen electicians come up with some great alternate locations. Two, have the switch removed. The only considerations here are, does the machine have its own "on/off" switch. If so, the switch was a useful redundancy. If not, you'll need to install a switch. Also, does the breaker kill all the electrical power to the machine?

MikeCJ

Mike,

No this switch does not kill all power inside the panel. The other disconnect I mentioned that is the LOTO point does. As to the machine having its own on/off switch, the only one it has is the one on that panel and the E-stops. Again this switch is not blocked but it is about 12-18 inches behind a narrow 6 inch wide conveyor.

Thanks for all of the help guys!

Do you have any pics of the area in question?