Guards Must Not Be Removed Sign

The Guards Must Not Be Removed Sign is used to clearly instruct workers, contractors and maintenance personnel that machine guards must remain fitted during normal operation. It provides an immediate visual reminder that removing safety guards can expose people to dangerous moving parts and increase the risk of serious injury.

This sign is commonly installed on production machinery, conveyors, industrial equipment, manufacturing machines, processing equipment and workshop machinery where guarding forms part of the machine’s safety system.

Displaying a Guards Must Not Be Removed Sign helps reinforce safe operating procedures, supports workplace health and safety compliance, and reminds personnel that machine guards must remain in place unless removed under approved maintenance or lockout procedures.

Suitable for workshops, factories and manufacturing facilities throughout New Zealand, this sign provides a clear prohibition message that helps reduce machinery-related injuries.

Where Should a Guards Must Not Be Removed Sign Be Used?

Common locations include:

• Production machinery
• Conveyor systems
• Manufacturing equipment
• Packaging machinery
• Processing plants
• CNC machines
• Industrial machinery
• Engineering workshops
• Factory production lines
• Automated equipment
• Machine guarding systems

By clearly identifying machinery where guards must remain fitted, this sign helps reduce exposure to moving parts and entanglement hazards.

Why Use a Guards Must Not Be Removed Sign?

Benefits include:

• Helps prevent machinery injuries
• Reinforces machine guarding requirements
• Supports workplace health and safety compliance
• Reduces exposure to moving parts
• Provides clear visual instructions
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
• Improves operator awareness

FAQ

Why must machine guards remain fitted?

Machine guards protect workers from moving parts, pinch points, rotating equipment and other mechanical hazards. Removing guards significantly increases the risk of serious injury.

Where should this sign be installed?

Install the sign directly on or beside machinery fitted with safety guards, particularly where guards could be removed during maintenance or cleaning.

Can guards ever be removed?

Yes, but only under approved maintenance or lockout/tagout procedures by authorised personnel. Guards should always be refitted before the machine is returned to service.

What mounting options are available?

Available as:

• Laminated vinyl sticker
• Corflute sign
• PVC sign
• ACM (Aluminium Composite Material) sign

Looking for additional access control signage? View our range of No Entry Signs, Restricted Area Signs and Prohibition Signs for workplaces throughout New Zealand.

Not sure if this is the right sign for your workplace or facility? Read our guide “Prohibition Signs in the Workplace: What They Mean and Why They Matter” to learn about prohibition symbols, compliance requirements and when different prohibition signs should be used.

Not sure if you’ve got all the safety signage you need?
Download our Free Safety Signage Checklist to make sure your workplace complies with New Zealand safety standards — it’s a quick and easy way to identify missing signs and stay compliant for further information check out 5 Workplace Signs Every Office Needs (And Why They Matter).

For further information go to the Worksafe website https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/hazardous-substances/managing/hazardous-substances-signs/

NZS/AS 1319:1994 advocates simplicity and clarity in safety signage. To be effective, they should be easy to read and interpret at a glance.

The Standard is about the use of legible text and appropriate, simple symbols.

By simplifying the message, it reduces the risk of misinterpretation, which increases the chances of the sign’s warning or instruction being followed.

Enhancing the signs visibility through placement and colour

Placement and visibility will play a crucial role in the efficiency of safety signs.

The standard states that signs must be positioned near the hazard they are warning about, which ensures that the safety message is relevant. Also it advocates the use of contrasting colours for the background and lettering. This attention to the colour scheme will increase visibility and readability from a reasonable distance, which ensures the message is accessible.

The mission of Hazard Signs NZ is to provide quality-made safety signs to all of New Zealand and Australia. Our great prices and convenient online ordering platform make us a preferred supplier to many NZ businesses. All our signs are designed and manufactured in Invercargill to meet the workplace health and safety needs of all businesses and industries in New Zealand.

Please note: We make some safety signs to order and therefore it may take 5 to 10 business days to receive. If you require your order urgently, please don’t hesitate to contact us to confirm an estimated delivery date prior to placing your order.

If you are not sure about what sign you need for your business, just contact us at +6432183350 or email us and we will make it ready for you.

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