Proper guarding, lockout/tagouts, and electrical box covers are all verified during what?

The verification of proper guarding, lockout/tagouts, and electrical box covers occurs during visual inspections of machines. Visual inspections are a critical aspect of ensuring that equipment is safe and compliant with operational standards. During these inspections, a trained individual examines the machinery to ensure that safety devices are intact and functioning as intended. This proactive approach helps identify any potential hazards before they lead to incidents, ensuring that maintenance and operational protocols are adhered to effectively.

While routine audits may evaluate a broader range of safety and operational practices, they are not exclusively focused on the immediate and physical examination of the equipment as visual inspections are. Scheduled maintenance usually involves planned activities to maintain or repair equipment, which may not include specific safety checks unless explicitly stated. Operator checks typically focus on day-to-day operational readiness and may not cover all safety components in-depth as visual inspections do, making those inspections critical for thorough safety verification.