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Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 8. Points of Operation and Other Hazardous Parts of Machinery
Article 69. Food and Tobacco Machinery

§4552. Meat, Fish and Other Food Grinders.

(a) Every power-driven food grinder of the worm type shall be so constructed, installed, or guarded that the employee's finger cannot come in contact with the worm. This shall be accomplished by one of the following methods:

(1) A mechanical method of feeding the worm which will prevent an employee's contacting the worm during the feeding operation.

(2) A permanently attached neck to the cylinder enclosing the worm the circular opening of which is not more than 2 1/2 inches in diameter at a point at least 4 1/2 inches above the worm.

(3) A grating of parallel bars permanently attached to the hopper and spaced not more than 1 1/4 inches apart providing the grating is not less than 4 1/2 inches above the worm or more than 1 1/2 inches above the hopper rim. Grilles or gratings attached to pans shall completely cover the hopper opening except for openings in the grille and shall be not more than 1 1/2 inches above the bottom of the pan.

NOTE: Other types of grilles or gratings are acceptable, provided the greatest dimension in any opening does not exceed 2 1/2 inches, and is located not less than 4 1/2 inches above the worm, or more than 1 1/2 inches above the hopper rim.

(4) A hinged interlocking grille or grating over the hopper or pan which will open the power circuit when the grille or grating is lifted. Such grilles or gratings shall be designed and located as provided in (3) above.

(5) In large hand-fed grinders of the type used in the wholesale or manufacturing trade, where the neck exceeds 2 1/2 inches in diameter and the opening is not guarded by grilles or gratings, the distance from the top of the neck to the worm shall be not less than 36 inches or the minimum accessible distance from the working level to the worm shall be not less than 88 inches.

(6) Any other type of guard or device which will prevent the employee's finger from reaching into the point-of-operation when the machine is in operation.

(b) A pusher shall be provided for each grinder and shall be used during the feeding operation wherever it is possible to increase the safety of the operation. Under no circumstance shall a pusher be used in lieu of the above methods of guarding.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. Amendment filed 5-1-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 19).

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