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