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Summer 2022 33 These protective measures should follow the hierarchy laid down in PUWER regulation 11(2). See: Safe use of woodworking machinery: Approved Code of Practice and guidance and PUWER Approved Code of Practice and guidance. • Take measures to prevent or control the risks to people from parts and substances falling or being ejected from work equipment, or the rupture or disintegration of work equipment. • Ensure that the risks from very hot or cold temperatures from the work equipment or the material being processed or used are managed, to prevent injury. • Ensure that work equipment is provided with appropriately identified controls for starting, stopping, and controlling it, and that these control systems are safe. • Where appropriate, provide suitable means of isolating work equipment from all power sources (including electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, and gravitational energy). • Ensure work equipment is stabilised by clamping or otherwise, to avoid injury. • Take appropriate measures to ensure maintenance operations on work equipment can be carried out safely while the equipment is shut down, without exposing people undertaking maintenance operations to risks to their health and safety. KEY THINGS TO NOTE Don’t buy a ‘vacuum’ (or any other piece of work equipment) that isn’t suitable for the job. Anyone using the vacuum must be trained, you may not need a full SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) but you will most certainly need some clear do’s and don’ts. Remember to ensure that training is recorded just in case the ‘vacuum’ is used for the wrong purpose and results in an injury! The vacuum will no doubt run on electricity so welcome The Electricity at Work Regulations. ‘Electrical equipment’ as defined in the regulations includes every type of electrical equipment, so ensure you inspect the vacuum at the appropriate intervals and that you have the equipment PAT tested (PAT Test UK, aka SK Compliance can do this from 75p per item!). Include the vacuum on your work equipment register and ask employees to submit a Defect Report if faulty. Tip: remove the plug so it cannot be mistakenly used. A faulty vacuum can be a fire hazard so again, it’s important to remove it from service if defective – don’t use it until it starts smoking – and ensure it is unplugged after every use. Don’t over-stretch cables or knot them. The above example, albeit seemingly light-hearted, is how we should be looking at all our work equipment to ensure we protect our employees from harm. Take a look around your workplace and see if you have an invisible piece of equipment lurking in a cupboard that you never gave a second thought to. << For more advice speak to your Health & Safety Advisor or contact HAE EHA’s BusinessGuard by emailing businessguard@hae.org.uk or call 44 (0)121 380 4612.