PUWER 98 “the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998” covers all types of equipment and machinery used at work and supersedes some specific work equipment Regulations, including the 1974 “Woodworking Machinery Regulations”.

As woodworking machines are considered especially dangerous, assistance is available via the HSE in dealing with the use and guarding of machines. This is entitled “Safe use of woodworking machinery” – Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 as applied to woodworking machinery - an Approved Code Of Practice (ACOP) & Guidance.

If the guidance in the ACOP is followed then compliance with PUWER 98 will be achieved. This Code of Practice is available from HSE Books (Ref L114).

There are certain requirements in the “Safe Use of Woodworking Machinery” ACOP, which are completely new and must be put into effect by specified dates. The first of these critical dates was 5th DECEMBER 2003.

Braking

The Code of Practice states that a brake must be fitted to any machine where there is a risk of contact with the cutting tools during rundown and where the normal stopping time is more than 10 seconds. Some band saws are allowed a stopping time of up to 35 seconds.

A risk assessment must be conducted to establish which machines require braking but the Code of Practice states they are considered necessary for the following machines by the dates specified:

• 5th December 2003 for circular saws, cross cut saws, single end and double end tenoners, combined machines incorporating a circular saw or a tenoning attachment.
• 5th December 2005 for bandsaws, resaws, spindle moulders, routers, surface planers, thicknessers, combined surface planers and thicknessing machines.
• 5th December 2008 for all other machines.

Tooling

Tooling New tooling known as Limited Cutter Projection tooling (LCP), which reduces the risks of kickback and severity of injury, is required for all spindle moulders and single end tenoners by 5TH DECEMBER 2003.

If LCP tooling has already been purchased then it must be used now.

Secondhand Machinery

At first glance a second hand-machine may appear to be a bargain, but beware:

• Before considering the purchase of a second hand machine a risk assessment must be conducted to ensure that the machine and tooling will comply with the PUWER 98 Regulations.
• The costs involved in bringing the machine in line with the Regulations may be considerable and outweigh the savings expected and, in addition, place the business in contravention of Health & Safety
  Regulations.
• If considering a second-hand machine the following 20-question checklist should be worked through to establish the merits of the proposed purchase, and the costs and practicalities of upgrading the machine to comply with the Regulations.

1. Can you be sure that the machine is complete? How do you know?
2. How old is the machine?
3. Was the machine manufactured before 1992?
4. If so, has the guarding been updated to meet PUWER 98?
5. Are all the guards and safety devices with the machine?
6. Do the guards meet the current requirements?
7. Is the machine fitted with a brake to make it stop in 10 seconds or less?
8. Is DC injection braking necessary for the machine? If so, at what cost?
9. Will the tooling need replacing to meet the new regulations?
10. Are the operating speeds suitable for modern tooling?
11. Are electrical interlocks necessary for access doors, panels and guards?
12. Are the bearings in good order?
13. Are the motors, electrical control equipment and wiring sound?
14. Is the original manufacturer still in existence?
15. Are spare parts available?
16. Is the machine manufacturer’s handbook available?
17. When was the machine last operated?
18. When was the machine last serviced?
19. Was the machine supplied new or second hand to the last user?
20. If it was second hand, was it reconditioned and by whom?