Element C5

Element C5.1

Selection of Suitable Work Equipment

PUWER

Provision and Use of Work Equipment

Regulations 1998

Not buildings, substances, private cars

Reg 4 – Suitability of work equipment

Constructed / adapted to be suitable for purpose

Selecting – have regard to work conditions and risks, incl. additional risk posed by use of equipment

Employer shall ensure equipment only used for suitable operations

Element C5

PUWER

Suitability

Consider:

Initial integrity

Safe through its design, construction, or adaptation.

Addition of parts may compromise integrity

Place where it will be used

Suitable for different environments / risks to be used in (wet / explosive)

Consider confined spaces etc (petrol machines etc)

Purpose for which it will be used

Correct tools for the job

Element C5

PUWER

Maintenance requirements

Must be considered wen selecting equipment

Specialist dealer / supplier only?

Could put pressure on users to use unsuitable equipment

Arrangements to be made to deal with hire of extra

equipment to cover breakdowns etc

Maintenance staff must be trained in service and use

of new equipment

Machinery should be designed to enable routine

adjustments, lubrication, without removal of guards

Element C5

Skills / Expertise

Operators

New equipment

Necessary to guard against over enthusiastic operator

Provide necessary training

Maintenance

Train, recruit staff in good time before introduction of

equipment

Element C5

Suitability - Task

PUWER Reg 4 (3)

“every employer shall ensure work equipment is used

only for operations for which, and under conditions for

which, it is suitable”

Also consider :

PROCESS

ENVIRONMENT

Element C5

Suitability – Location

Employers

Must have regard to working conditions when selecting equipment

Electrical – wet conditions?

Flammable conditions?

Physical properties Fit into workplace

Safe working areas

Mobility – FLT and pedestrians etc

Confined – noise, fumes

Element C5

Controls / Isolators

PUWER Reg 4

sufficient space between moving parts of machinery and moving / fixed parts in its environment

All forms of energy and substances used or produced can be supplied or removed in a safe manner

Appropriate controls Electricity, pneumatics, hydraulics, steam

Valves, switches, vents, drains, earthing

Removal of energy Interlocks

brakes

Element C5

Controls / Isolators

Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regs

SMSR

Isolators must be clearly identified

Must be capable of being locked if reconnection could

endanger persons

After cut-off, must be possible to dissipate normally

any energy remaining or stored in the machinery

Element C5

Ergonomic Considerations

Anatomy

Anthropometry – dimensions of the body

Biomechanics – application of forces

Physiology

Work physiology – expenditure of energy

Environmental – effects on humans

Psychology

Skill – information processing

Occupational – training, motivation, stress, individuals

Element C5

Layout and Operation of Controls

Fail safe condition

Failure of any part of control system or power supply

Controls

Easily identify what each control does

And what effect it will have

Wording, colour, shape, position

Any change in operating condition should be by use

of control

Speed, temp, pressure, power

Designed so as to prevent accidental operation

Element C5

Layout and Operation of Controls

Controls

Stop controls Should bring equipment to safe condition in a safe manner

Controlled run down of rotating parts rather than immediate stop

Suitably guarded cooling fans, or other risk free parts do not need to be positively stopped

Emergency stops

Rapid response to potentially dangerous situation

Not used as functional stops during normal operation

Easily reached and actuated Buttons, bars, levers, kick plates, pressure cables

Element C5

Layout and Operation of Controls

Start up warnings

PUWER Reg 17

Given sufficiently in advance to allow those at risk to

get clear

Reduced need for access

Automation

Remote systems

Cameras for viewing, displays

Reduce risk

Lubrication, adjustments, auto feed hoppers

Element C5

Anthropometric Considerations

Size of openings, distance from danger

Barriers

Where not practicable to use enclosing guards

Physical barriers to prevent reaching into danger

point

Rely on height and distance to achieve their purpose

Consider in conjunction with risk assessment

Element C5