Machinery Safety adviceSafeMech has a great deal of experience in safe design of machinery. We can provide competent and practical advice to ensure that your machines are safe in the most effiecient and economical way.
The fundamental of machinery safety is risk assessment. A formal risk
assessment documents the hazards which a machine presents and evaluates them. Unacceptable risks can be reduced to
acceptable levels and risks can be prioritised for action. All work equipment must be used within the requirements of relevant legislation. We have a comprehensive knowledge of the legislation relevant to machinery and work equipment. We can make sure that you are aware of all legal requirements and measures are taken to comply with them. Once the hazards and resulting risks which a machine presents have been identified measures will need to be
taken to reduce any excssive risks to an acceptable level. Standards play an important
role in this by defining what is "state of the art". Equipment which meets the requirements of current harmonised
standards would generally be considered to be "safe enough" and it would provide a good defence of "due dilligence"
in the case of problems. If equipment is not "safe enough" measures will need to be taken to reduce the risks. We can help you design and
specify measures to enaure that your equipment is safe in normal use. | |
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Key elements are:-
Frequently asked Questions
Q. What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?
A. A hazard is a dangerous
feature of a machine. The level of risk will depend on the level of exposure to the hazard. For example a very
dangerous hazard which is rarely accesible, may present a lower level of risk than a less dangerous hazard which is
accessed all the time.
Q. Is my machine safe?
A. The real question should be "Is my machine safe enough?". The
level of safety required can vary depedning on circumstances. For example a machine designed for use by members of
the public will need to be a great deal safer than one designed for use by trained specialist staff.
Q. Must I make a risk assessment for my equipment?
A. The Management of Health and Safety at
Work Regulations requires users to make a risk assessment of all work equipment, from sophisticated production
machines down to hand tools.
Q. How does risk assessment help my business?
A. A formal risk assessment may identify
hazards which you were not aware of. It will help you prioritise actions to improve safety in your workplace and is
a step in showing that you are fulfilling your mandatory requirements to provide a safe
workplace.
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