Many industrial incidents involve the lack of proper safeguarding of machine hazards. The cost in pain and suffering as well as in dollars is enormous. Accidents result in product liability lawsuits against the equipment manufacturer, increased workers’ compensation insurance costs and loss of production. This cost can be reduced.
Voluntary consensus standards groups such as ANSI (American National Standards Institute) produce standards for machine safeguarding. Trade associations such as the Association of Manufacturing Technology (AMT), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) form committees to develop these voluntary standards.