The new machinery directive says that fasteners on guards have to be retained when the guard is removed. We have been looking for a cheap and easy solution to this euro-nonsense, and we think we may have solved it! Little 5p gadgets called "bolt retainers" from Components Direct fitted to a socket button head screw. Does anyone else have any other thoughts or ideas?

 

I guess it depends on how large or small the fasteners are. If the guards are sheet metal, you could press PEM or Southco fasteners. They come in various sizes.

 

I think your answer there is a rotatable captivated nuts that could be mounted on the guarding permanently or semi-permanently. then on the frames of the machines there would have to be small studs matching the pattern of the nuts.
It appears someone is working on a patent on the"rotatable captivated nut"