Tips for machine safety when operating machines in the workplace
With a couple of recent fatalities in the waste and recycling industry associated to machinery, I want to remind everyone about their duties for machine safety.
What happened?
The basic principle of these tragedies was contact with the moving parts of the machine. But they were preventable and by implementing simple physical and non-physical measures it would be an easy way to prevent such incidents.
We can become complacent, we rarely have major (reportable) accidents in the workplace and therefore consider ourselves to be ‘Safe.’ However, if we consider damage only, scrapes resulting in minor first aid and near misses in our workplaces, then there is still a lot to be done to reduce potential incidents. Machine safety is paramount at all times.
Why do we need to report incidents that don’t result in an accident?
It will help you to determine trends. Who is involved, what job tasks present the highest risk, what type of incident is causing these near misses, is there one department more susceptible than the others? These are some of the questions that you can ask of your senior managers to help improve safety and ultimately avoid that one big accident. (Give us a call 01455 850000, if you’ve had an incident and are not sure what to do).
So how do we make machines safer?
Let’s consider the types of machines in our workplaces; conveyors, lifting equipment, drills, lathes, CNC, saws, welding kits, metal/tube benders, rollers etc., the list goes on. But still every year, a significant proportion of accidents (some fatal) occur because of having insufficient guards or the machine being used incorrectly causing people to have the accident.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 tells us that the machinery must be suitable for its intended use; that it is safe to use, maintained in a safe condition and in some cases inspected effectively which checks all the above. We must ensure that it is used only by people who have been adequately trained, instructed and given appropriate information and that protective devices, markings and warnings are suitable.
Suitable for its intended use – this will generally mean it is used to do what it is supposed to do. Well obviously, how is this a problem? Some firms have modified, refurbished or changed some components to allow it to perform other tasks. However, this may be a cheaper option, but is potentially putting workers at risk.
Safe to use – this means that any guards are NOT removed. Some have been known to remove guards to make it easier to perform a task, again adding a higher likelihood of injury. Workers may remove guards to access moving parts to unblock or remove obstructions whilst the machine is still operating. It is your duty as a senior business manager to prevent such practices. Safe to use also means following manufacturer’s instructions and guidance.
How can we manage machine safety?
The simple processes to this include fitting interlocking guards that will kill the power to the machine when they are opened and have a safe system of work that provides a step by step guide to maintaining the machine.
Maintained in a safe condition – competent inspections, competent maintenance workers, competent weekly cleaning and daily checks will ensure that the machine remains safe to use. Some machines require specific inspections under certain regulations, such as lifting equipment.
Adequately trained and instructed – you wouldn’t simply employ a person and ‘let them loose’ on a piece of dangerous machinery. You must provide specific training on a machine’s safe use. This may involve bringing in a consultant or the manufacturer to provide specific training, such as use of an abrasive wheel. Training must be recorded and refreshed at intervals that will mean the competency levels are maintained.
Protective devices, markings and warning – devices will include suitable guards protecting people from dangerous parts of the machine, this may include enclosing the machine to protect against noise, shock absorbers to prevent vibration, interlocking guards to prevent uncontrolled access. You must consider the overall protective measures over individual protection (PPE), as this is the last line of defence. Markings and warnings may highlight safe working loads, avoidable situations, emergency stop buttons and highlight hazards such as electricity, fire or respiratory threats.
If you are investigated and it is proven that measures to control the accident were not taken, then you can be held liable, possibly prosecuted under corporate manslaughter if somebody is fatally injured.
Review your safe systems of work, ensure you have competent workers and that your machines are suitably inspected, safe to use and used intended for its purpose. Keep the machine clean and replace broken or missing parts before using the machine again. These are your duties to protect your workforce.
If you are seeking the help for a health and safety or HR issue, then call us here at Qdos on 01455 850000.
