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2.25 Work Equipment Policy and Procedure

2.25 Work Equipment Policy and Procedure of 10 January 2014

Table of Contents

Section 1 - Policy .................................................................................................................................. 3

1.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Scope .............................................................................................................................................. 3

1.3 Requirements ................................................................................................................................. 3

1.4 Responsibilities .............................................................................................................................. 3

Section 2 - Procedure .......................................................................................................................... 4

Section 3 - References ........................................................................................................................ 5

3.1 Statutory Documents ............................................................................................................... 5

3.2 Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................ 5

3.3 Definitions .................................................................................................................................. 6

Appendix 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 6

Appendix 2 ............................................................................................................................................ 8

Appendix 3 ............................................................................................................................................ 9



Section 1 - Policy

1.1 Purpose

The Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL) is committed, so far as is reasonably practicable

through good practice, to managing the risks from work equipment through the development of a

proactive approach to the identification, management and where necessary the avoidance of any

hazards associated with the use by employees of equipment in the workplace.

1.2 Scope

This procedure applies to all SATCoL locations and activities including shops, warehouses and our

head office facilities.

Any equipment which is used by an employee at work is covered, for example, steps/ladders,

photocopiers, hand held tools (ie tagging guns), lifting equipment, fork lift trucks, mobile equipment

used at different locations and motor vehicles.

No unauthorised work equipment is to be brought into the workplace.

1.3 Requirements

To comply with the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

(PUWER) and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

1.4 Responsibilities

Everyone in the workplace has a part to play when it comes to reducing the potential to cause injury

as a result of work equipment

Property Services

Are Policy and Procedure Owners

Are available to provide advice and guidance where required

All Line Managers including Location Managers

Managers are responsible for ensuring that:

This policy and these procedures are implemented and made known to all staff and volunteers within their area of responsibility

They manage their teams with the objective to eliminate hazards and risks

An assessment for their location is carried out for all tasks involving work equipment

Refer also to:- o 2.10 Electrical Safety - Policy and Procedure o 2.20 Personal Protective Equipment Policy and Procedure

Staff

All staff have a responsibility to ensure their own safety and health and for working in a manner which is not detrimental to the safety of themselves and others. Staff, including volunteers, are responsible for ensuring that:



This policy and these procedures are adhered to at all times

They follow the training they have been given

If there are safety concerns stop using the equipment immediately and inform their manager

NB: Staff are not allowed to bring their own equipment into the workplace

Section 2 - Procedure

Refer to:-

INDG 291 (rev1) HSE Providing and Using Work Equipment Safely - A brief guide

INDG 422 HSE Thorough examination of lifting equipment - A simple guide for employers

To meet the requirements of PUWER any equipment must be:-

suitable for use, and for the purpose and conditions in which it is to be used;

maintained in a safe condition for use so that people’s health and safety is not at risk; and

inspected, by a competent person to ensure that it is and continues to be safe for use. Records must be kept of the inspection.

Any risks created by using the equipment are eliminated where possible or controlled as far as reasonably practicable by:

taking appropriate physical measures, eg providing suitable guards, personal protective equipment etc; and

following safe systems of work and providing adequate information, instruction and training about the specific equipment.

A combination of these measures may be necessary depending on the requirements of the work, your assessment of the risks involved, and the practicability of such measures.

Line Managers including Location Managers will ensure that equipment is risk assessed to ensure that it is:-

suitable for use, and for the purpose and conditions in which it is to be used

is maintained and inspected by a competent person and records are kept

No modifications are made to any item of work equipment

They will also ensure that:-

Information, instruction and training are provided to staff on the safe use of work equipment.

They ensure that no equipment is used other than that sourced through SATCoL

If there are safety concerns staff stop using the equipment immediately and disconnect the equipment from the power source (if applicable)



They complete the Action Log (Appendix 3) for any faulty item of equipment

They arrange for the faulty item of equipment to be repaired or replaced through Property Services or other normal procurement route

Staff, including volunteers, are responsible for ensuring that:-

They ensure that no equipment is used other than that provided by SATCoL

No modifications or repairs are attempted to any item of equipment unless via a SATCoL approved supplier or contractor

They use equipment only for the purpose it has been provided and in accordance with any information, instruction or training received

Carry out User Visual Checks of equipment (including when issued with new equipment) as outlined in Appendix 1 prior to using an item

Immediately report to their line manager/supervisor any fault or defect to equipment.

If there are safety concerns stop using the equipment immediately and disconnect the equipment from the power source (if applicable)

Do not bring their own equipment into the workplace

Section 3 - References

3.1 Statutory Documents

Document Ref. Title

Statutory Document Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

Statutory Document Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

Statutory Document Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Statutory Document The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

INDG 291 (rev1) HSE Providing and Using Work Equipment Safely - A brief guide

INDG 422 HSE Thorough examination of lifting equipment - A simple guide for employers

3.2 Abbreviations

Abbreviation Definition

PUWER Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998



LOLER Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

3.3 Definitions

Staff - refers to any persons carrying out SATCoL business whether they are paid or unpaid. The

definition is extended to include volunteers, and contractors.

Work equipment - Work equipment is any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for

use at work (whether exclusively or not). The scope of work equipment is therefore extremely wide.

The use of work equipment is also very widely interpreted and '...means any activity involving work

equipment and includes starting, stopping, programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying,

maintaining, servicing and cleaning'.

Competent Persons - A competent person is someone who has sufficient training and experience or

knowledge and other qualities that allow them to assist you properly. The level of competence

required will depend on the complexity of the situation and the particular help you need.

Appendix 1 User Visual Checks Visual inspections are important components of a work equipment safety regime. The majority of potentially dangerous faults can be picked up by such inspections. Any visual inspection should critically examine the equipment to check that it appears to be in sound condition. User visual inspections should not include taking any equipment apart. When carrying out a visual inspection ensure the electrical equipment is turned off (if applicable) and check for:

Damage to plugs (e.g. cracked casing or bent pins)

Damage to the external cover/casing of the equipment, loose parts or loose/missing screws

Damage to outer coverings/insulation to leads, wires or cables (apart from light scuffing).

Cable located where it might be subject to damage or forced into a tight bend as it exits equipment or over stretched.

Inadequate joints, including taped joints in the cable

Burn marks, staining or discoloration that may suggest overheating

Whether the equipment has been subjected to conditions for which it is not suitable, e.g. spillage of fluids or solids, overly dirty or dusty, or excessively contaminated in some other way. Ensure no containers (jugs for re filling steamers,etc.) are located such that spillage could occur to equipment.

The absence of inappropriate pieces of equipment or foreign objects on or inside the equipment

Should a visual inspection indicate equipment to be unsafe for use it should be reported to management and immediately taken out of use. This action should be noted on the Action Register and arrangements made for any necessary repair or replacement.


Appendix 2 Name: Work Equipment - RISK ASSESSMENT

Assessed by: (Name)

Signature: Date:

Hazard: Existing

Controls already in place:

√ Yes ▼

√ No ►

Initial Risk

Rating HML

Further Improvements required to Reduce Risks are: (Management action plan)

By Whom?

By When?

Residual Risk Rating HML

Done √

H= High M= Medium L=Low

Persons at Risk (√ ) Add as Appropriate:

All employees Volunteers Young worker (under 18) Other visitors Cleaner

Shop staff Customer Disabled worker Contractors Other:


Appendix 3 Work Equipment Action Log

Action No

Action Required Date Required

By

Date Actioned

Signature

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Notes