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Dos and Don’ts for Workshop Safety

Safe use of machinery by workers

Do…

  • Ensure the machine is maintained and fit for purpose, and that any and all safety precautions/measures are in place (e.g. guards, isolators, locking mechanisms, emergency off switches etc…)
  • Ensure machinery is used properly and in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
  • Provide and ensure usage of any appropriate protective clothing and equipment

Don’t…

  • Allow the usage of a dangerous machine or appliance (attach appropriate signage to dangerous machinery – these should only be removed by a competent, trained and authorised person who has checked the machinery is safe for use).
  • Allow workers to wear loose clothing, dangling or catchable jewellery or long loose hair that could get caught in moving machinery
  • Allow any distraction of those using machinery
  • Take away any safeguards, even if their removal seems to make the job easier

Plant and equipment maintenance

Do…

  • Ensure a competent person (one with the relevant and necessary skills, knowledge and experience to complete the work safely) carries out maintenance
  • Ensure plant equipment is maintained regularly (as per manufacturer’s instructions)
  • Put in place procedures for the reporting of damaged or defective equipment by workers
  • Ensure maintenance work is a carried out using the proper tools
  • Make sure maintenance work is properly planned and carried out safely with the minimum risk to person carrying out the work and other workers

Don’t…

  • Ignore maintenance
  • Ignore any reports of damaged, unsafe or defective equipment
  • Allow the use of defective or damaged equipment.