Mechanical Equipment
A wide range of mechanical equipment is used in the manufacturing industry. For example you may use equipment such as guillotines, wood working machines, bench saws, band saws, planers, routers and sanders.
Mechanical equipment can be hazardous. The most common injuries are to hands and fingers, which may be cut, sprained, dislocated, broken, crushed or severed by machinery or tools. These injuries can cause lengthy periods of time off work and sometimes they can cause permanent disability.
Eye injuries caused by mechanical equipment accidents include being hit by an object (e.g. small particles such as metal shavings as well large objects or pieces of equipment), heat, radiation, hitting an object and falls, trips and slips.
When mechanical equipment hazards cannot be eliminated or to improve protection you may need to wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses or goggles, earplugs or earmuffs, protective gloves, overalls or other close fitting clothing, safety shoes or boots with steel toe-caps to protect your feet if any items are dropped.
Your employer should:
have a maintenance program to make sure all equipment and machines are in safe working order and guards are fitted;
have a system in place for locking out and isolating machinery during maintenance, cleaning and repairs;
train you to operate any item of mechanical equipment before you use it and make sure you are supervised when you use it - if you are still not sure how to use it ask your supervisor; and
provide any personal protective equipment needed and tell you how to wear and use it correctly.
What you should do
When you are operating any mechanical equipment you should follow safe work procedures as instructed by your employer or supervisor. This may include:
wearing clothing that will not catch in moving parts;
wearing any personal protective equipment provided by your employer;
operating the machinery and equipment correctly and safely;
keeping all guards in place;
making sure guards removed during cleaning are replaced before you use the machine;
switching off machinery and equipment when not in use and locking out and isolating machinery before any adjustment, cleaning or maintenance is done;
concentrating on the job as distractions might cause injuries; and
keeping the area around the equipment or machinery clean.
 | | Keep all machinery guards in place - they are fitted to protect you from moving parts. |
