Element 5: Work Equipment - Hazards & Risk Control. Flashcards
Define work equipment
• Machinery
• Appliance
• Apparatus
• Tool
• Installation for use at work
• Assembly Arranged to function as a whole
• Equipment provided by employer
• Tools brought in by employees
Define “Use” (of work equipment).
• Any activity involving work equipment.
• Starting/ stopping
• Programming
• Setting
• Transporting
• Repairing
• Modifying
• Maintaining
• Servicing
• Cleaning
What does CE mark signify?
Fixing CE mark to product (& signing declaration of conformity) constitutes declaration by manufacturer that product meets requirements of all directives which apply, providing some assurance that it is safe when properly installed, maintained & used for intended purpose.
Environmental considerations to ensure safe use of work equipment
Location assessed to account risks from particular circumstances
• Electrically powered equipment in wet or flammable atmospheres.
• Suitable & sufficient lighting
- Additional lighting on some machinery
• where access to dangerous parts required.
• Particular operations (maintenance)
• where dangerous operations e.g.
- excavations
- demolition
- working in dark.
In what situation should a planned programme of preventative maintenance be planned?
- Where safety of piece of equipment depends on installation conditions
- where equipment exposed to conditions liable to cause deterioration to dangerous state.
The programme based on regular inspection of work equipment.
In what situations are workers required to receive training in use of work equipment?
Workers required to have training where it involves specific risk to Health and Safety:
• Where required to use equipment for any task
• where required to repair, modify, maintain or service.
• Young persons - special consideration due to inexperience & immaturity & closely supervised by competent person.
Managers, supervisor’s & maintenance staff must have adequate training in relation to health & safety, use & risks entailed in use.
From what does risks in use of hand tools arise?
• Operator error
• Misuse
• Improper maintenance
Additional risks from power tools
• Presence of power source ( especially cables)
• Speed & force of tool itself.
What procedures should be followed after defect reported in item of work equipment?
• Take out of service, quarantined with label indicating not to be used until repaired - operators should be instructed never use damaged/defective equipment. Visual checks before use.
• Inspection & subsequent tests & repairs should be carried out by competent person & recorded for life of equipment.
What are general factors about machines & way people come in to contact which cause specific mechanical hazards in any situation?
• Shape - sharp edges, angular parts.
• Motion of parts in relation to person
• Mass & stability including work piece
• Acceleration of moving parts (incl workpiece) normal conditions & if breaks.
• Inadequate mechanical strength
• Potential energy of elastic components that may be translated to energy.
What are drawing in injuries?
• where part of body caught between two moving parts & drawn in.
Eh. Train & sprocket drive meet.
What is hierarchy of protective measures for machinery safety.
Reg 11 of PUWER specifies hierarchy:
• Fixed guards
• Other types of guards
• Protection appliances - jigs, push sticks, holders etc.
• Provision of information, instruction, training & supervision.
Describe operation of interlocking guard system.
A system which links opening of primary guard to operation of second safety device - either complete stoppage of machine or another guard. Usually functions by being linked to power supply & cut off when guard open. Others operate mechanically or magnetically.
What is a trip device?
A trip device is a system which stops or reverses motion of machine when person enters hazard area.
What are limitations of self adjusting guards?
• They do not completely prevent access to dangerous parts.
• They can easily be defeated.
• They rely on operator competence & vigilance.
What are protective devices?
Hand held tools or hand controlled fixed devices that allow an operator to hold or manipulate a workpiece as it enters a machine which keeps hands away from moving parts. Clamps, jigs push sticks.
