SHE Code 4:
Safety and Safe Use of
Work Equipment
Safety, Health and Environment
(SHE) Group
Who should use this
presentation & read the code
Managers of staff, staff, visiting scientists;
STFC site tenants, and those responsible
for contractors on STFC sites who may
specify, design, manufacture, build, install,
USE or maintain any item of equipment
used at work.
Additional slides at the end of the
presentation summarise key points for
specific equipment
STFC Safety, Health and
Environment (SHE) Group
SHE Code 4:
“Safety and Safe
Use of Work
Equipment”
What does STFC mean by
“Work Equipment”?
Work equipment covers almost any powered
(including by human effort) or mechanised item
that is used at work – anything that in use
presents a physical hazard.
• Includes hand tools, workshop type
equipment, access equipment and lifting
equipment.
• Does not include chemicals, cars, vans, or
electrical equipment that does not physically
do something.
Why a “Work Equipment” SHE code?
• A large amount of Work Equipment is used daily
on STFC sites. Failures of Work Equipment have
the potential to cause serious injury, damage to
property and consequent loss of time and money.
• It is a requirement of the ‘Provision and Use of
Work Equipment Regulations’ (PUWER).
• This code addresses a wide range of Work
Equipment whose controls are not addressed in
other SHE codes.
Key points
• While the code addresses all types of Work
Equipment appendix 2 contains specific guidance for
the use of the following Work Equipment:
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
Ladders;
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV);
Hand Tools;
Scaffolding and Scaffold Towers;
Abrasive Wheels;
Machinery; and
Fork Lift Trucks (FLTs), Mobile Elevated Work Platforms
(MEWPs), Battery Operated vehicles & Bicycles
Generic - Key points
• Managers should ensure:
• that any Work Equipment is fit for purpose and
used for activities and under conditions for which it
is suitable;
• that the use of Work Equipment is Risk Assessed
as part of an activity’s risk assessment;
• Work equipment meets relevant Legislative
Requirements for it. Generally manufacturers
indicate this by a “CE” marking;
• Work equipment design, constructed and used
completely “in-house” also needs to meet relevant
Legislative Requirements. It does not need to be
“CE” marked.
Generic - Key points, continued.
• Managers should ensure:
• Work Equipment is maintained in good working
order, and for complex Work Equipment
maintenance procedures and schedules should be
prepared, recorded, and followed;
• Work Equipment should be examined, inspected
and tested (three different types of check) with
varying frequency depending on how regularly the
equipment is used and the conditions it is used
under; and
• That all persons using Work Equipment are
trained and experienced in their use.
Generic - Key points
• Users of Work Equipment should:
• Ensure that they are familiar with the controls
detailed in the risk assessment for the
activity/equipment they use;
• Wear, and suitably store, any PPE defined in the
risk assessment for the type of equipment being
employed; and
• Undertake basic pre-use inspections of work
equipment prior to operation.
SHE Training
Appendix 4 details specific training requirements
for users of: PPE; Ladders; LEV; Hand Tools;
Scaffolding; Abrasive Wheels; Machinery;
FLTs and MEWPs.
These courses can be booked through your
local SHE training contact DL/RAL ext. 8288.
For help or advice with this code
contact your local SHE Group
Additional Key Points
PPE
Machinery
Ladders
FTLs & MEWPs
LEV
Hand tools
Scaffolding
Abrasive wheels
Quit
Key Points - PPE
• Only consider PPE when other physical guards
and controls cannot be implemented.
• Many types of PPE - when choosing PPE think
about the hazards, level of protection required,
working environment, requirements of the task
(physical effort and need for communication) and
the person using it.
• PPE needs to be maintained in a clean and
functional state and stored to prevent damage
etc.
Back
Key Points - Ladders
• Using Ladders requires training.
• Inspect ladder before use for damage –
must be marked UK Class 1/EN131.
• Use under specific conditions – max. height
of the work area <5m, jobs taking <30 mins.
• Maintain 3 points of contact with ladder at
all times and avoid distractions such as
mobile phones.
• Ladders must be registered.
Back
Key Points - LEV
• Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems
should be specific to the work, and various
factors need to be considered when a new
system is specified.
• LEV Users need to be trained in their use.
• Need to be kept clean and maintained
(may be a specialist job) and require an
annual statutory inspection – registered
with SHE Group.
Back
Hand Tools
• Includes powered and unpowered tools used
by hand.
• These are usually low risk provided they are
used only as intended.
• Mains powered tools will need PAT testing.
• Unlikely to need much maintenance - blades
may need to be changed and some tools may
need regular lubrication.
Back
Scaffolding
• Scaffold design, erection and
dismantling are specialist jobs but those
STFC staff involved in its use have a
role to play to ensure it is safe for staff
and contractors to work on.
• Scaffold towers should only be hired,
erected, dismantled and used by those
who have had the defined training.
Back
Key Points - Abrasive Wheels
• Use of abrasive wheels requires training.
• Select the right wheel for the job.
• Inspect the wheel and machine before use
to make sure that:
– wheel is safely attached and true;
– emergency stop functions; and
– guards are correctly fitted and not damaged.
• Clean the wheel/machine after use.
Back
Key Points - Machinery
• Machines are made safe by:
– Preventing access to Dangerous Parts;
– Providing suitable controls including emergency
stops;
– Having procedures in place for isolation and/or
locking off, to allow maintenance to happen safely;
– Providing Marking and Warnings; and
– Maintaining and inspecting regularly.
• Appendix 2g contains guidance for everyone,
from the designer to the end user.
Back
FLTs and MEWPs etc.
• Need to be suitable for the work and the
environment in which they are operating.
• Can only be used by trained and qualified staff.
• FLT Drivers will be subject to regular medical
surveillance.
• Most vehicles (including works bicycles) are
considered work equipment, and will require
some form of maintenance and inspection
regime.
Back