7 Work equipment hazards

Work equipment 1/5

Definition of term Any equipment used by an employee at work is generally covered by the term work equipment.

Hazards

Control measures

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Classification
Hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, ... Hand tools Electrical drills and saws ... , Hand-held power tools WORK EQUIPMENT Stationary power tools & machinery Bench-mounted abrasive wheel ... , Personal protective equipment (PPE) Ear muffs, respirators, helmets, ...

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Work equipment 3/5

Suitability legislation

Supply law CE markinig What manufacturers and suppliers have to do Prevention of trade barriers across EU

User law PUWER regulations* (UK) What users of work equipment have to do Protection of people at work
*http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1998/19982306 .htm

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CE marking
(Communaut Europene)

1 Certifies that a product has met EU consumer safety, health or environmental requirements. 2 A part of harmonisation of standards: product with CE mark can be sold in any EU member and EEA state. 3 The primary aim: to facilitate free trade of products with EU 4 Who has to apply CE mark? The manufacturer and the importer.

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EC declatation of conformity

Procedure to declare that the product being placed on the market complies with health and safety requirements

Signature of declaration authorises to affix the CE marking

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Hand tools 1/3

Variety

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Hand tools 2/3

Hazards
1. Broken handles on files/chisels/screwdrivers/ hammers which can cause cut hands or hammer heads to fly off; 2. Incorrect use of knives, saws and chisels with hands getting injured in the path of the cutting edge; 3. Tools that slip causing stab wounds; 1. Poor quality uncomfortable handles that damage hands; 1. Splayed spanners that slip and damage hands or faces; 1. Chipped or loose hammer heads that fly off or slip; 2. Incorrectly sharpened chisels that slip and cut hands; 1. Flying particles that damage eyes from breaking up stone or concrete; 2. Electrocution or burns by using incorrect or damaged tools for electrical work 3. Use of pipes or similar equipment as extension handles for a spanner which is likely to slip causing hand or face injury; 1.
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Control

1. Tools should be properly controlled including those owned by employees; 2. All tools should be suitable for the purpose and location in which they are to be used; 3. All tools should be maintained in a safe and proper condition; 4. All users of hand tools should be properly trained in their use

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Hand-held power tools 1/4

Variety

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Hand-held power tools 2/4

Hazards I/II 1. 2. 3. 4. Electrical shock; Personal injury; Ill-health; Possibility of fire.

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Hand-held power tools 3/4

Hazards II/II
1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. Electricity used to power the tools; Mechanical entanglement in rotating spindles or sanding discs; Waste material flying out of the cutting area; Coming into contact with the cutting blades or drill bits; Hitting electrical or gas services when drilling into building surfaces; Manual handling problem with a risk of injury if the tool is heavy or very powerful; Hand-arm vibration especially with pneumatic drill and chainsaws, disc cutters and petrol driven units; Tripping hazard from trailing cables, hoses or power supplies; Eye hazard from flying particles; Explosion risk with petrol driven tools or when used; Near flammable liquids or gases; High noise levels with pneumatic chisels, planes and saws in particular dust levels.
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Control
Training and instructing operators; each operator must: 1.Maintain a clean and tidy working area that is well lit and clear of obstructions; 2.Never expose power tools to rain. Do not use power tools in damp or wet surroundings; 3.Do not use power tools in the vicinity of combustible fluids or gases; 4.Protect against electrical shock (if tools are electrically powered) by avoiding body contact with grounded objects such as pipes, scaffolds, metal ladders; 5.Keep children away; 6.Do not let other persons handle the tool or the cable. Keep them away from the working area; 7.Store tools in a safe place when not in use where they are in a dry, locked area, which is inaccessible to children; 8.
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Machinery hazards 1/7

The range of hazards I/II

Crushing hazards

Shear hazards

Cutting hazards

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Machinery hazards 2/7

The range of hazards II/II

Drawing-in hazards

Abrasion and ejection hazards

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Entanglement hazards 15

Machinery hazards 3/7

Mechanical injuries
Cutting and tearing

Puncturing Common mechanical injuries

Shearing

Staining and spraiding

Crushing

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Machinery hazards 4/7

Machinery guards Machinery guard: a physical barrier preventing entry of any part of the body into a hazardous area Five main forms: Fixed guard Adjustable guard Distance gurad Interlocking guard Automatic guard

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Machinery hazards 5/7

Examples of fixed guards

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Machinery hazards 6/7

Example of adjustable guards

Floor mounted circular saw

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PPE hazards 1/9

Limitation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) PPE does not eliminate a hazard source If PPE fails and failure is not detected, the hazard increases greatly

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PPE hazards 2/9

The main types of PPE
Hearing protection Eye protection

Respiratory protection

Protective clothing

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PPE hazards 3/9

Hazards related to hearing protection

Ear plugs do not reduce the sound transmitted through the bone around the ear Wrongly-used and poorly-fitted ear muffs can loose much of their protection

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PPE hazards 4/9

Hazards related to eye protection

Safety spectacles do not assist against dust Safety goggles have the tendency to mist up inside and provide limited vision Face shields restrict the vision, are heavy and expensive

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PPE hazards 5/9

Hazards related to respiratory protection

Most equipment will not provide total protection May restrict vision Can be uncomfortable or cumbersome to wear

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PPE hazards 6/9

Hazards related to protective clothing

PVC clothing can be uncomfortable to wear and cause stress and fatigue Helmets and bump caps have limited useful life Gloves can be entangled in machinery
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Safety harnesses: the hazard to cope with

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PPE hazards 8/9

Safety harnesses: typical occupations

Work at height

Confined space entry

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PPE hazards 9/9

Safety harnesses: hazards in use Do not replace effective fall prevention practices May induce impact effect in the case of a fall Restrict comfort and freedom of movement

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The end of part seven

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