Element 5: Work equipment - hazards and control

Element covers:

• General requirements for work equipment
  
• Hand-held tools
  
• Machinery hazards
  
• Appropriate control measures for machinery hazards
  

The main thrust of this element is to highlight the hazards which are associated with the provision and use of work equipment.

The regulations that cover this are Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

The general requirement for work equipment is that it should be well maintained and fit for purpose, those who are to operate the equipment must be experienced and correctly trained in it safe use. The regulations cover all work equipment for woodworking planes, circular saws, bench and hand held grinders, drill, chainsaws, masonry cutting equipment and electric drills. The list is to provided an indication to the types of equipment and is in no way complete.

The hazards mainly associated with work equipment can include cut and abrasions, entanglement with rotary equipment, ingress of foreign body, crush, severe lacerations from chain saws and grinders along with noise vibration. There are other hazards that might not be directly attributable to the equipment, such as hazards from frayed or damaged electrical cables, ingress of water into electrical equipment and some more which may have long term effects i.e. dust, and vibration.

Hand held tools such as hammer chisels files saw can all be hazardous if not used and maintained correctly, Files should always have handles, hammers and chisels should always be ground to remove mushroom effect etc. It is essential that the risk from the use of work equipment is identified and controlled. The correct use of PPE when use of equipment is essential. Eye, ear, hand and repertory (dust masks) should all be considered when use any equipment.

The start stop and emergency stop controls for powered equipment must be at all time clearly identifiable and in good working order.

Guarding of machinery can remove significant hazards from work equipment as long as the guard completely cover the rotating parts and are not easily removable.

Chuck guards for dill and lathes blade guards for circular saws and guards over drive pulley's are all examples where guarding should be used.