Introduction to machinery safety

Why machinery safety is important

As an employer, you should consider how your workers use machinery. You should also have adequate maintenance arrangements in place to ensure it remains safe to use.

Injuries that can be caused by machinery

Moving machinery can cause injuries in many ways.

• People can be struck and injured by moving parts of machinery or ejected material
• Parts of the body can also be drawn in or trapped between rollers, belts and pulley drives
• Sharp edges can cause cuts and severing injuries. Sharp-pointed parts can cause stabbing or puncture the skin. Rough surface parts can cause friction or abrasion
• People can be crushed, both between parts moving together or towards a fixed part of the machine, wall or other object. Two parts moving past one another can cause shearing
• Parts of the machine, materials and emissions (such as steam or water) can be hot or cold enough to cause burns or scalds. Electricity can cause electrical shock and burns.

Injuries can also occur when:

• machinery becomes unreliable and develops faults
• machines are used improperly through inexperience or lack of training

Assessing and managing the risk

Before you or your workers use any machine, you should think about what risks may occur and how these can be managed. Check the machine is complete, with all safeguards fitted, and free from defects. The term 'safeguarding' includes guards, interlocks, two-hand controls, light guards, pressure-sensitive mats etc.

By law, the supplier must provide the right safeguards and inform buyers of any risks ('residual risks') that could not be designed out. Users need to be aware of these and manage them.

Make sure you identify and manage risks from badly designed safeguards. These may be inconvenient to use or easily overridden, which could encourage your workers to risk injury and break the law. If they are doing this, find out why and take appropriate action to manage this.

Produce a safe system of work for using and maintaining the machine. Maintenance may require the inspection of critical features where deterioration would cause a risk.

Look at any residual risks listed in the information provided with the machine. Make sure they are included in the safe system of work.

Ensure every static machine has been installed properly and is stable (usually fixed down).

Choose the right machine for the job.

Do not put machines where customers or visitors may be exposed to risk.

Make sure you identify and manage risks from electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic power supplies.

Make sure the machine is:

• safe for any work that has to be done when setting up, during normal use, when clearing blockages, when carrying out repairs for breakdowns, and during planned maintenance
• properly switched off, isolated or locked off before taking any action to remove blockages, clean or make adjustments

Control measures

Preventing access to dangerous parts

Think about how you can make a machine safe. The measures you use to prevent access to dangerous parts should be in the following order. In some cases it may be necessary to use a combination of these measures:

• Use fixed guards (for example secured with screws or nuts and bolts) to enclose the dangerous parts, whenever practical. Use the best material for these guards – plastic may be easy to see through but can easily be damaged. Where you use wire mesh or similar materials, make sure the holes are not large enough to allow access to moving parts
• If fixed guards are not practical, use other methods, like interlocking the guard so the machine cannot start before the guard is closed and it cannot be opened while the machine is still moving. In some cases, trip systems such as photoelectric devices, pressure-sensitive mats or automatic guards may be used if other guards are not practical
• Where guards cannot give full protection, use jigs, holders, push sticks etc if it is practical to do so
• Control any remaining risk by providing the operator with the necessary information, instruction, training, supervision and appropriate safety equipment

Other control measures

If machines are controlled by programmable electronic systems, changes to any programmes should be carried out by a competent person (someone who has the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to carry out the work safely). Keep a record of such changes and check they have been made properly.

Ensure control switches are clearly marked to show what they do.

Have emergency stop controls where necessary, for example mushroom-head push buttons, within easy reach.

Make sure operating controls are designed and placed to avoid accidental operation and injury, for example by using two-hand controls where necessary and shrouding start buttons and pedals.

Do not let unauthorised, unqualified or untrained people use machinery – never allow children to operate or help at machines. Some vulnerable workers, such as new starters, young people or those with disabilities, may be particularly at risk and need instruction, training and supervision.

Adequate training should ensure that those who use the machine are competent to use it safely. This includes ensuring they have the correct skills, knowledge and experience. Sometimes formal qualifications are needed, for example for chainsaw operators.

Supervisors must also be properly trained and competent to be effective. They may need extra specific training and there are recognised courses for supervisors.

Ensure the work area around the machine is kept clean and tidy, free from obstructions or slips and trips hazards, and well lit.

Machinery safety for workers

Ensure machinery is safe

To ensure machinery is safe you should check the machine is well maintained and fit to be used. Make sure it is appropriate for the job, working properly and that all the safety measures are in place.

Examples of safety measures include guards, isolators, locking mechanisms and emergency off switches.

Use the machine properly and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Make sure you are wearing the appropriate protective clothing and equipment required for that machine, such as safety glasses, hearing protection and safety shoes.

Prevent accidents and injuries

Don’t use a machine or appliance that has a danger sign or tag attached to it. These signs should only be removed by an authorised person who is satisfied that the machine or process is now safe.

Never wear dangling chains, loose clothing, rings or have loose, long hair that could get caught up in moving parts.

Don’t distract people who are using machines.

Never remove any safeguards, even if they seem to make the job more difficult.

Examples of accidents involving machinery

The law

The aim of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) is to ensure that work equipment is safe to use, regardless of its age, condition or origin.

PUWER places duties on employers and others who control how work equipment is used. This includes those who hire it out to be used by others.

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) apply to the safe use of lifting equipment.