Specific Machine Risk Assessments are necessary in the UK to ensure the safety of machinery and the individuals who operate them. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) emphasises the importance of machinery safety, as moving machinery can cause injuries in many ways, such as striking and injuring by moving parts or material being ejected, and parts of the body being drawn in or trapped between rollers, belts, and pulley drives.
The need for Specific Machine Risk Assessments arises from several factors:
1. Prevention of Accidents and Injuries: Machinery can become unreliable and develop faults over time, or be used improperly due to inexperience or lack of training. Assessing and managing these risks is crucial to prevent accidents and injuries.
2. Compliance with Legal Requirements: New machines in the UK must be UKCA marked or CE marked and supplied with a Declaration of Conformity and instructions in English. From January 1, 2025, new machinery that is only CE marked will no longer be acceptable in Great Britain.
3. Maintenance of Safe Working Conditions: Employers are responsible for ensuring that machinery is safe to use, which includes having adequate maintenance arrangements in place and ensuring that all safeguards are fitted and free from defects.
4. Identification and Management of Risks: Risk assessments help identify and manage risks from electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic power supplies, as well as from badly designed safeguards that may be inconvenient or easily overridden.
5. Training and Supervision: Adequate training ensures that those who use the machine are competent to do so safely. This includes ensuring they have the correct skills, knowledge, and experience. Sometimes formal qualifications are needed, for example, for chainsaw operators.
6. Legal Liability and Financial Implications: Without proper risk assessments, businesses may face legal fees and fines if found in breach of health and safety guidelines. Risk assessments can reduce the chance of injuries and accidents and demonstrate that the company has taken necessary steps to protect people from harm.
7. Business Continuity and Productivity: Regular risk assessments can help identify and mitigate risks, ensuring machinery is safe and maintained, thus avoiding unplanned downtime and maximising productivity.
8. Positive Company Image: Conducting risk assessments can boost the public perception of a company, as customers and other companies are more likely to engage with a business that has strong moral values and is committed to creating a safe workplace.
What are the legal requirements for machine risk assessments in the UK?
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
PUWER requires that all work equipment provided for use at work is suitable for its intended task, maintained in a safe condition, and inspected to ensure it is correctly installed and does not subsequently deteriorate. The regulations apply to employers, self-employed individuals, and those who have control over work equipment. Key aspects of PUWER related to machine risk assessments include:
– Regular risk assessments must be carried out and documented for all work equipment.
– The assessments must address each of the regulations under PUWER, ensuring equipment is suitable for its intended use and does not put persons at risk.
– Regulation 11 specifically focuses on safeguarding against dangerous machine parts, requiring effective measures to prevent access to hazardous parts or to stop machine movement before a person can enter danger zones.
Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008
These regulations, amended by the Supply of Machinery (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, form the cornerstone of machinery safety in the UK for machines introduced to the European market. They mandate that all machines bear the CE mark, complying with the European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. To ensure compliance, machines must:
– Undergo a system of conformity assessment.
– Adhere to the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the Machinery Directive.
– Be accompanied by a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and user instructions in the language of the end user.
– Have a comprehensive Technical File compiled.
– Display the CE marking visibly.
General Legal Framework
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also play a crucial role in the legal framework for risk assessments. They outline the employer’s duty to ensure the safety of the workplace, which includes conducting risk assessments. Specifically, The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to make a “suitable and sufficient assessment” of risks to health and safety.
Key Points for Compliance
– Conduct regular and documented risk assessments for all machinery and work equipment.
– Ensure machinery is suitable for its intended use and does not pose a risk to health and safety.
– Follow the specific requirements of PUWER and the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, including CE marking where applicable.
– Adhere to the broader legal requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Compliance with these regulations is essential not only for the safety and health of individuals but also to avoid legal actions, fines, and potential damage to the business’s reputation.
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