Machinery and Equipment
A variety of machinery and equipment is used in the retail industry including compactors, carton crushers, wrapping and packing machines, meat and bread slicers, dough mixers, chicken rotisseries, and doughnut machines.
Your employer should make sure all machinery and equipment is in safe working condition and should provide instruction and training before you use it.
Guards are often attached to mechanical equipment to protect you from the moving parts. For example guards are provided on cutting and slicing machines, industrial cake mixers, dough machines and compactors.
Your employer must make sure you leave the guards in place and that they are replaced if they have been removed for cleaning or maintenance. Machinery should be locked out and isolated during cleaning and maintenance to prevent it being turned on.
The importance of induction training and the provision of ongoing information, training, instruction and supervision by employers is highlighted in the case study Young Worker Injured Whilst Operating Cardboard Baling Machine.
Working safely with sharp equipment and tools
You may need to use sharp knives, scissors, tools and equipment in the retail industry. Examples include carton trimmers to cut open cardboard cartons, knives and food slicers for food preparation and trimmers and saws to cut materials to length in hardware stores.
 | | Your employer should train you in the safe use and handling of sharp equipment and tools. |
This may include remembering to:
use appliances and tools only for the purpose for which they are designed;
keep cutting tools clean and sharp;
keep all guards in place and keep your fingers and body away from any moving parts;
cut away from your body when using knives or trimmers;
always put sharp knives and tools away after use; and
not leave knives or slicing blades in dish water, as others may cut themselves when they put their hands in the water.
