6.5 Information and warnings

Question 1

All machinery must be marked visibly, legibly and indelibly with the following minimum particulars: 6

Answer 1

 the business name and full address of the manufacturer and, where applicable, the manufacturer’s authorised representative  designation of the machinery  the CE marking  designation of series or type  serial number, if any  the year of construction, that is the year in which the manufacturing process is completed.

Question 2

Instructions must be drafted in accordance with the principles set out below 4

Answer 2

(a) The instructions must be drafted in one or more official Community languages. (b) The instructions must be marked and verified as ‘Original instructions’ or ‘Translation of the original instructions’, as appropriate. (c) The contents must take into account any reasonably foreseeable misuse of the machinery, as well as the intended use. (d) Where the machinery is intended for use by non-professional operators, the wording and layout of the instructions for use must take into account the level of general education and acumen that can reasonably be expected from such operators.

Question 3

PUWER Regulation 8 places a duty on employers to

Answer 3

make available all relevant health and safety information and, where appropriate, written instructions on the use of work equipment to their workforce.

Question 4

Regulation 23: Markings The employer has a duty to ensure that work equipment is marked in a clearly visible manner with any marking appropriate for reasons of health and safety. This might include: 6

Answer 4

 Identification of stop and start controls.  Marking the maximum rotation speed of an abrasive wheel.  Marking the maximum safe working load (rated capacity) on lifting equipment.  Indicating the content of gas cylinders by colour coding.  Marking storage and feed vessels containing hazardous substances to show their contents, and associated hazards.  Colour coding service pipework to indicate contents.

Question 5

Warnings or warning devices may be appropriate where risks to health or safety remain after other hardware measures have been taken. They may be incorporated into systems of work (including permit-to-work systems), and can enforce measures of information, instruction and training. A warning is normally in the form of a notice or similar, for example: 3

Answer 5

 positive instructions (example: hard hats must be worn)  prohibitions (example: not to be operated by people under 18 years)  restrictions (example: do not heat above 60 ºC).