New Machinery
The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 require that any machinery:
- Is safe (free from risk to safety and health) when supplied
- Is CE marked and
- Comes with a declaration of conformity and user instructions in English.
Manufacturers of machinery have responsibilities to meet these standards and requirements when machinery is first placed on the European market.
Suppliers must supply safe machinery in accordance with the requirements of Section 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (In part “1 (a) to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that the article is so designed and constructed as to be safe and without risk when properly used”).
Users of machinery must comply with the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) to:
- Select and provide equipment for work that is suitable for the conditions in which it will be used so as to be free form risk when used properly and maintained so as to keep it in safe condition.
Machinery should be CE marked, supplied with user instruction in English and free from any obvious defects such as missing or damaged guards.
The Purchaser/User has duties to ensure the equipment is maintained and inspected to ensure that it remains safe whilst in use.
Before any equipment is purchased commissioned or installed consideration should be given to:
- Where and how it is intended to be used
- What it will be used for
- Who will use it (Competent/skilled employees – requiring familiarisation training, or trainees or persons with little or no experience on similar equipment – requiring a full training programme
- What potential risk to health and safety might result from its use
- How well health and safety risks are controlled by alternative manufacturers on such things as noise or vibration levels.
Second hand – Previously used – Refurbished machinery
Any machinery at work has to be safe for use
As a user you have a duty to make sure that second-hand machinery is:
- Safe when put into use
- Suitable for the selected work and
- Maintained in a safe condition
Should the machinery have been totally refurbished for the purposes of installing CNC Controls together with other work it may require new CE marking as the way it operates is very different to before and will be treated as a new machine.
There are some exclusions but it would be worth while checking the HSE Publications INDG 271
If you need any help with your health and safety issues please contact us.