Selecting and using work equipment

There are many types of work equipment. They include process machinery, machine tools, office machines, lifting equipment and tools, ladders and pressure washers. Accidents involving work equipment are common. Many are serious, some are fatal.

What employers must do:

select the right equipment for the job;
make sure the equipment is safe to use;
keep the equipment safe through regular maintenance, inspection and, if appropriate, thorough examination;
train employees to use equipment safely;
provide personal protective equipment needed to use certain machines safely, eg chainsaws, angle grinders;
follow manufacturers' or suppliers' instructions.

Does this affect my business?

You should consider:

Do you use ladders or other equipment for working at heights? For example, it may often be safer to use an access tower or mobile elevating work platform than a ladder.
Do you have machinery of any kind? You need to guard the parts that could cause injury; have the right controls, especially for starting and stopping; clean, or clear blockages in a safe way; and carry out preventive checks, maintenance and inspection.
Are hand tools used in your workplace, eg screwdrivers, knives, hand saws, meat cleavers, hammers?
Do you have lifting equipment such as pulley blocks, cranes, and lift trucks? Most lifting equipment will require regular and thorough examination by a competent person.