Typical applications include barriers, machine guards, fire screens, gutter guards, security doors and fences. These all offer protection, but still allow access for cleaning and maintenance when required.

Wire mesh guards are typically used when visibility of equipment is required, but access needs to be restricted to protect either workers, or the equipment itself. The mesh can act as a net for any parts that may fly off during operation or provide guarding on machinery that cuts, crushes or grinds. Guards can also help prevent people climbing on large machinery; an issue more common in quarrying and mining.

The benefit of mesh guards is that they allow for full ventilation; this prevents any parts from overheating, which could affect the machine’s performance and cause operational downtime.

The four machine guard options are: permanent guards, fixed physical guards, interlock guards and perimeter guards.

A permanent guard is one that is welded to the machine to encase dangerous parts and is implemented when access, cleaning and maintenance are not required.

Similarly, fixed physical guards limit access to certain parts of a machine (such as blades) and can be removed but only by using a specific tool to do so.

Interlocking guards on the other hand, do permit easy access, but the machine will not operate unless they are closed.

Finally, perimeter guards generally isolate equipment by forming a fence around it and provide protection, whilst not completely restricting access. 

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