SCOTTISH BORDERS SAFETY FORUM WORKING SAFELY WITH WORK EQUIPMENT Compiled by Donald A Mackay Mainetti UK Ltd

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Background The general requirements contained in the Regulations applied from 1st January 1993 to all equipment regardless of it’s age.

Objectives of the Regulations The regulations provide a set of requirements ensuring the provision of safe work equipment and its safe use, irrespective of age or place of origin.

Definitions Work Equipment: This includes any machinery, appliance, apparatus or tool. Examples include: Hammers, knives, ladders, drilling machines, power presses, dumper truck, computer, lift truck, overhead projector. Use: This means any activity involving work equipment. This includes starting, stopping, erecting, installing, dismantling, programming, setting, using, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing and cleaning.

Definitions Danger Zone: Means any zone in or around machinery in which a person is exposed to a risk to health and safety from contact with a dangerous part of machinery or a rotating stock-bar.

Main Regulations Regulation 5: Suitability of work equipment Regulation 6: Maintenance Regulations 8 & 9: Information, instruction and training Regulation 10: Conformity Regulation 11: Dangerous parts of machinery

Main Regulations Regulation 12: Protection against specified hazards Regulations 14 -18: Controls and control systems Regulation 22: Maintenance operations Regulation 23 & 24: Markings and Warnings

Suitability of Work Equipment Under Regulation 5 the employer is required to: Ensure that work equipment is suitable for the purpose for which it is used. Selection of work equipment must have regard to working conditions and any additional risks posed by the use of work equipment. The equipment must only be used for operations for which it is suitable.

Maintenance Regulation 6 requires the equipment to be properly maintained, and have an up to date maintenance log where one is kept. Regulation 22 states as far as reasonably practicable, maintenance operations are to be done while the work equipment is stopped. If not, other protective measures are to be taken, unless maintenance people can do the work without exposure to a risk to health and safety.

Information, Instruction & Training Under Regulation 8 users and supervisors of equipment must be given adequate health & safety information, and where appropriate, specified written instructions relating to the use of work equipment. Regulation 9 covers user and supervisor training, including work methods, risks and precautions.

Conformity All equipment must bear a CE mark and a copy of the EC Declaration of Conformity must be obtained before using the equipment (Regulation 10). The supplier of the equipment has a legal duty to CE mark the equipment.

Specific Requirements Specific requirements are designed to reduce the risk to employees from dangerous parts of machinery under Regulation 11. This includes measures to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery and to stop movement of any dangerous part before someone enters the danger zone. These measures must consist of guards or protection devices as far as is reasonably practicable, and detailed requirements relating to them are established.

Preventative Measures In selecting preventative measures the regulations set out a hierarchy on four levels, these are: Fixed, enclosing guards to the extent practicable, but where not - Other guards or protection devices to the extent practicable, but where not - Protection appliances (jigs, pushsticks etc) to the extent practicable, Provision of information, instruction, training and supervision and PPE.

Machinery Guarding Guards and devices are to be: Suitable for the purpose Of good construction, sound material and adequate strength Adequately maintained, in good repair and efficient working order Not the source of additional risk to health & safety Not easily bypassed or disabled

Machinery Guarding Guards and devices are to be: Situated at sufficient distance from the danger zone Not unduly restrictive of any necessary view of the machine Constructed or adapted to allow maintenance or part replacement without removing them

Specified Hazards Exposure of a person to specified hazards must be prevented by the employer as far as reasonably practicable or adequately controlled where it is not (Regulation 12). The specified hazards are: Ejected or falling parts Rupture or disintegration of parts of the work equipment

Specified Hazards Fire or overheating of the work equipment The unintended or premature discharge or ejection of any article or any gas, dust, liquid, vapour or other substance produced, used or stored in the work equipment. The unintended or premature explosion of the work equipment or any material produced, used or stored in it.

Controls and Control Systems Specific requirements relate to the provision, location, use and identification of control systems and controls on work equipment (Regulations 14-18). These relate to: Stop controls Emergency stop controls Controls in general and control systems Starting or making a significant change in operating conditions

Warnings Employers must ensure that all work equipment has clearly visible markings where appropriate (Regulation 23) and any warnings or warning devices appropriate for health and safety (Regulation 24). Warnings will be inappropriate unless they are unambiguous, easily perceived and easily understood.

Employees Duties Employees should follow a simple system for checking work equipment before they start using it. This check will enable them to ensure that any faults found are rectified before use.

Summary These regulations outline the general duties that management must comply with to fulfill health and safety responsibilities. Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to serious injury to employees or visitors or damage to machinery or equipment. Failure to comply may also result in prohibition or improvement notices being issued, fines and in extreme cases imprisonment.

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