We've been using our band organ in our carrousel building for about
eight months now, and it is located over at the side, in front of a
roll-up door.  There's a painted pipe barricade in front and around the
three sides of the organ area and the door either stays down, or when
open, there is another pipe barricade at the door opening.  This pipe is
about three feet high and has the intention and the effect of keeping
people out of the organ area, and works well for that.

The problem is that the open belt and pulley on the back of the organ is
exposed to anyone who goes into the area.  Someone mentioned the OHSA
safety factor to our maintenance supervisor, so now we have to consider
a guard for the belt & pulley, but we need good access for changing
rolls, lubrication and adjustment, etc.

My preference is to keep people out of the area and not go screwing
attachments into the classic case, but we do have to consider the
possibilities and safeguard the public.  Does anyone know whether OSHA
rules can include any sort of exception clause for antique equipment?

Also, an electrical service technician friend mentioned putting in a
proximity-activated switch that would shut the machine off whenever
anyone got too close.  By the way, I've gotten good results turning the
organ on and off with a radio shack remote control from the carrousel
ticket booth.  In between rides we play CD organ music, controlling the
volume with the PA system.

Tommy Forney
Shelby (NC) City Park Carrousel
http://carrousel.shelby.net

 [ Editor's comments:
 [
 [ OHSA and municipal inspectors will shutter the operation if they
 [ believe a hazard is presented to the employees or the public.  A high
 [ tech shut-off switch isn't enough: keep them happy with a tasteful
 [ belt and pulley guard.  A good iron-working shop which makes decor-
 [ ative fences, etc., can suggest a nice design.
 [
 [ The web site of Occupational Health & Safety Administration is
 [
 [    http://www.osha.gov/
 [
 [ A search for the phrase, "belt guard", at the OSHA search page,
 [
 [    http://www.osha-slc.gov/html/dbsearch.htm
 [
 [ returned three documents.  One says that under certain conditions 
 [ a wood guard is permitted.
 [
 [ -- Robbie