Work Equipment and Machinery Safety

Summary

 

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and guidance booklet lay down requirements for employers regarding the safety and safe use of all work equipment including machinery. Work equipment should not give rise to risks to health and safety, irrespective of its age or place of origin.

 

Eligibility

 

Employers, self-employed and employees.

 

Procedure

 

New work equipment and machinery provided for use after 1st January 1993 should meet all the requirements of the PUWER. This also applies to second hand or hired and leased equipment. The need for training, maintenance and suitability assessment will apply to all equipment, old and new. Equipment brought into the workplace by employees is also covered.

Any work equipment used in the course of a work activity is covered by the Regulations ranging from large industrial machinery to the butchers knife, joiners hand saw, ladder, car ramp or computer.

PUWER

The regulations are split into five parts; the first section deals with interpretation etc, the second with general requirements relating to suitability, the third with Mobile work equipment, the fourth with Power Presses and the fifth with miscellaneous items such as exemptions

Part 2 - General

This part covers suitability, maintenance, inspection, specific risks, training, guarding and protection against hazards, the controls and control systems including isolation, stability, lighting, markings and warnings

Part 3 - Mobile work Equipment

This section deals with specific hazards relating to this type of equipment such as protection in the event of fork lift trucks overturning or other equipment rolling over, passengers being carried on mobile equipment and the guarding of drive shafts

Part 4 - Power Presses

This part is covered in a separate Approved Code of Practice on presses

Machinery Hazard

The hazards of machines at work are many; from trapping (eg between rollers or cogs), entanglement (a risk wherever there are rotating or moving parts), ejection (particularly from machines such as grinding wheels and drills) to straightforward contact with moving parts which can cause abrasions or friction burns.
Non-mechanical hazards from machines include electrical risks, noise and vibration, dust and fume, and ergonomic (layout) faults.

Guarding

Proper safeguarding of machinery is required by law; all potentially dangerous parts should either be securely out of reach or else fitted with a safeguard to prevent access. Guarding is required even when the dangerous part would be out of reach in normal circumstances (at ceiling height for example). There are a wide range of guards and their suitability depends upon the type of machine; your supplier and your safety inspector will be able to advise. Some older machines in particular may require new guarding as standards have improved.
Where guards are detachable it is usually for cleaning and maintenance; effective supervision and training is required to ensure that they are not removed by operators for any other reason, permit to work systems are often used in these situations. This can be a problem where their removal allows increased work rates. In addition, it is important to remember that you cannot rely upon employees to avoid dangerous machinery parts that are unguarded even if the danger is obvious. Where guards interlock with the machine, i.e. they are part of the control system of the equipment and when they operate the machine stops, they are often tampered with to allow ease of access for cleaning or maintenance. This must not be allowed and examination for this should be included in routine inspections and maintenance. No guard should be easily by-passed and employees should be instructed that it is their legal duty not to interfere with items or equipment provided by the employer as part of their statutory duty.

Lifts

Special precautions apply to the use of lifts. In particular they must be inspected regularly by a competent person (usually a lift engineer employed by the insurance company for the premises) to ensure that they can continue to be used with safety. Inspection intervals are covered by legislation but in most cases, particularly lifts used by people or lifting accessories such as chains or straps, examination must take place every six months and appropriate records must be retained. Further guidance on the safety requirements applicable to lifts, whether passenger carrying or not and including those used in nursing or residential care homes, can be obtained from your safety inspector.

 

Helplines

 

Regulatory Services, Health and Safety Team: 01226 773860/1 e-mail: Barnsley Health and Safety Team

Health and Safety Executive: 0114 2912300

 

Charges/Fees

 

No Charges or fees are applicable.

 

Opening Times/Locations

 

Opening times and location map, click link for further information.

 

How the customer can help

 

Equipment for use at work

Equipment for use at work should be:

• Suitable for the intended use
• Safe for use, maintained in a safe condition and inspected to ensure that it remains in good condition or repairs can be made if damage or deterioration is identified.
• Used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training.
• Accompanied by suitable safety measures, e.g. protective devices, markings and warnings.

Machine safety checklist

• Only trained and authorised users must be allowed to operate machines. Training checklists should be used to ensure all the relevant points are covered.
• Machines must never be used without all proper guards in place and working correctly. Posters and signs should be used to remind workers of the need to use guards.
• Operators should check that all necessary guards are in place and other safety features are working before starting any machine.
• Areas around machines should be clean, tidy and free of obstructions.
• Sufficient clear space should be provided to allow easy movement and reduce the risk of accidental interference from other workers.
• Appropriate safety clothing should be worn when operating machines.
• A sufficient standard of lighting must be provided around machines. In particular, flicker must be prevented as this can cause problems when working with moving parts.
• A clear system of signing must be implemented for defective machines in order to prevent unauthorised use. Defects must be remedied promptly.

 

Application Form References

 

Not applicable.

 

Leaflets

 

 

L22 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 : Approved Code of Practice. (ISBN 0 71 7616266)

L113 Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998: Approved Code of Practice. (ISBN 0 71 7616304)

INDG291 A simple guide to the provision and use of work equipment regulations 1998

INDG290 A simple guide to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

INDG229(rev1) Using work equipment safely

HS(G)35 Catering safety : food preparation machinery. (ISBN 0 11 883910 1) n

HS(G)17) Safety in the use of abrasive wheels. (ISBN 0 7176 0466 7) n

Safe Guidelines on the thorough examination and testing of Lifts

INDG339 Thorough examination and testing of lifts  Simple guidance for lift owners

 

Distribution Points

 

Leaflets are available from our offices (see Opening Times/Locations)

 

Or from HSE:

HSE Books,
PO Box 1999,
Sudbury,
Suffolk,
CO10 2WA.

01787 881165 or HSE link to free leaflets and download

Stationary Office Book Shops.

 

Legislation

 

• Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

 

Response Times/Next Steps

 

Requests for advice will be responded to within 5 working days.

 

Out of Hours Procedure

 

Not applicable.

 

Owner Officer Contact Details

 

Principal Officer,
Food Hygiene/Health and Safety Team,
3rd Floor,
Central Offices,
Kendray Street,
Barnsley,
S70 2TN.

 

Additional Notes

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Not applicable

 

Related Links:

• The Health and Safety Executive
• HSE Books

Last modified on 16/9/2008