The purpose of a Safety Management System is to provide protection for the company's most valuable asset, its employees, without accident, injury or illness. OSHA, ANSI and the European Machinery Directive all have a common approach to dealing with hazards on machinery.
Their first and most important consideration is that the hazard be 'engineered out,' that is, be eliminated altogether from the employee work zone. When this approach is not possible, then the second recommended approach must be used. That is, to safeguard the hazard and prevent any part of the employee's body from entering the hazard or point of operation. Most hazards on machinery are controlled by safeguarding.