What type of guard prevents access to dangerous parts of machinery via physical barriers?

Barrier guards are specifically designed to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery by creating a physical separation between the operator and those hazards. These guards are typically solid structures placed around moving parts of equipment to ensure that individuals cannot inadvertently reach into areas where they could be harmed.

The main characteristic of barrier guards is their ability to be a permanent or semi-permanent obstacle that requires physical effort to overcome, thereby helping to maintain a safe operating environment. They are often used in conjunction with safety practices and protocols to enhance worker safety.

In contrast, fencing generally refers to perimeter barriers that surround an area rather than targeting specific hazardous machinery components. Lockouts are safety procedures used to ensure that machinery is properly shut off and not able to be started up again until maintenance work is completed, while enclosures might refer to completely enclosing a machine or area but may not always provide the same individual access prevention as barrier guards do. Thus, barrier guards are the most appropriate choice for the specific function of preventing access to dangerous parts of machinery through physical barriers.