Ensure the machine is maintained and fit for purpose, and that any and all safety precautions/measures are in place (e.g. guards, isolators, locking mechanisms, emergency off switches etc…)
Ensure machinery is used properly and in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
Provide and ensure usage of any appropriate protective clothing and equipment
Don’t…
Allow the usage of a dangerous machine or appliance (attach appropriate signage to dangerous machinery – these should only be removed by a competent, trained and authorised person who has checked the machinery is safe for use).
Allow workers to wear loose clothing, dangling or catchable jewellery or long loose hair that could get caught in moving machinery
Allow any distraction of those using machinery
Take away any safeguards, even if their removal seems to make the job easier
Plant and equipment maintenance
Do…
Ensure a competent person (one with the relevant and necessary skills, knowledge and experience to complete the work safely) carries out maintenance
Ensure plant equipment is maintained regularly (as per manufacturer’s instructions)
Put in place procedures for the reporting of damaged or defective equipment by workers
Ensure maintenance work is a carried out using the proper tools
Make sure maintenance work is properly planned and carried out safely with the minimum risk to person carrying out the work and other workers
Don’t…
Ignore maintenance
Ignore any reports of damaged, unsafe or defective equipment
