5.1 Selection of suitable work equipment

Question 1

The suitability and safety of work equipment is considered from three aspects:

Answer 1

(a) its initial integrity (b) the place where it will be used (c) the purpose for which it will be used.

Question 2

Ergonomics is concerned with

Answer 2

the interaction of humans and other elements of a system, and the design of such systems in order to optimise human well-being and overall system performance.

Question 3

Under the intended conditions of use, the discomfort, fatigue and physical and psychological stress faced by the operator must be reduced to the minimum possible, taking into account ergonomic principles such as: 5

Answer 3

 allowing for the variability of the operator’s physical dimensions, strength and stamina  providing enough space for movements of the parts of the operator’s body  avoiding a machine-determined work rate  avoiding monitoring that requires lengthy concentration  adapting the man/machinery interface to the foreseeable characteristics of the operators.

Question 4

Effective work equipment controls should be designed to be 3

Answer 4

accessible, identifiable and usable.

Question 5

Where it is necessary to provide an opening in a guard, it should be at a sufficient distance to prevent any person from reaching the hazard. This may be achieved by: 2

Answer 5

 positioning the guard at the required distance  providing a tunnel which extends outwards from it.