Element 9 cheat sheet: Work equipment

9.1 General requirements

• Work equipment must be suitable for the task and place, in good condition, and used only by trained people. General requirements:
  • Provide suitable equipment
  • Prevent access to dangerous parts
  • Restrict the use and maintenance of equipment with specific risks to people designated and trained for it
  • Provide information, instruction and training about specific risks to everyone at risk, including users, maintenance staff and managers
  • Maintain equipment, and carry out maintenance safely
  • Provide emergency stop controls, stability, lighting, markings and warnings, and a clear workspace

Tip: Maintenance is itself a hazardous activity.

9.2 Hand-held tools

• When choosing hand-held tools, whether powered or manual, consider: requirements for safe use; condition and fitness for use; suitability for the purpose; and the place of use (including whether there is a flammable atmosphere, which needs tools that do not spark).
  • ('text', 'When choosing hand-held tools, whether powered or manual, consider: requirements for safe use; condition and fitness for use; suitability for the purpose; and the place of use (including whether there is a flammable atmosphere, which needs tools that do not spark).')
• Hazards include: flying particles, cuts, entanglement, electric shock, noise, vibration, dust, burns and unexpected movement.
  • ('text', 'Hazards include: flying particles, cuts, entanglement, electric shock, noise, vibration, dust, burns and unexpected movement.')

Tip: A damaged hand tool should be taken out of use and tagged.

9.3 Machinery hazards

• Contact with machinery can cause crushing, shearing, cutting, entanglement, drawing in, impact, stabbing, friction or abrasion, ejection of parts, and exposure to noise, vibration or dust.
  • ('text', 'Contact with machinery can cause crushing, shearing, cutting, entanglement, drawing in, impact, stabbing, friction or abrasion, ejection of parts, and exposure to noise, vibration or dust.')
• Typical equipment: manufacturing and maintenance machinery (such as a bench grinder or pedestal drill); agricultural and horticultural machinery (such as a cylinder mower, strimmer or brush cutter, and chainsaw); retail machinery (such as a compactor); and construction machinery (such as a cement mixer and a bench-mounted circular saw).
  • ('text', 'Typical equipment: manufacturing and maintenance machinery (such as a bench grinder or pedestal drill); agricultural and horticultural machinery (such as a cylinder mower, strimmer or brush cutter, and chainsaw); retail machinery (such as a compactor); and construction machinery (such as a cement mixer and a bench-mounted circular saw).')
• The use of aerial drones in the workplace creates its own hazards, for example collision, loss of control and falling parts.
  • ('text', 'The use of aerial drones in the workplace creates its own hazards, for example collision, loss of control and falling parts.')

Terms: ISO 12100

Tip: For each machine you study, name the hazard, the likely injury and the control.

9.4 Control measures for machinery

• Guards: fixed guards (kept in place by tools or fasteners), interlocking guards (the machine cannot run unless the guard is closed, and stops if it is opened) and adjustable or self-adjusting guards (adjusted to fit the task or moved by the material).
  • ('text', 'Guards: fixed guards (kept in place by tools or fasteners), interlocking guards (the machine cannot run unless the guard is closed, and stops if it is opened) and adjustable or self-adjusting guards (adjusted to fit the task or moved by the material).')
• Protective devices: two-hand controls (hands must be away from danger to start), hold-to-run controls (the machine runs only while the control is held), sensitive protective equipment such as trip devices (light curtains and pressure mats) and emergency stop controls.
  • ('text', 'Protective devices: two-hand controls (hands must be away from danger to start), hold-to-run controls (the machine runs only while the control is held), sensitive protective equipment such as trip devices (light curtains and pressure mats) and emergency stop controls.')
• Other methods: jigs, holders and push-sticks to keep hands away; information, instruction, training and supervision; and personal protective equipment.
  • ('text', 'Other methods: jigs, holders and push-sticks to keep hands away; information, instruction, training and supervision; and personal protective equipment.')
• Guards and devices must be compatible with the process; strong enough and maintained; allow maintenance without being removed; not increase risk or restrict the operator's view; and not be easily bypassed.
  • ('text', "Guards and devices must be compatible with the process; strong enough and maintained; allow maintenance without being removed; not increase risk or restrict the operator's view; and not be easily bypassed.")

Tip: Fixed guard first, then interlocking, then devices, then information and PPE.