Plant and Equipment Safety

16 August 2024

Plant and equipment safety is an important factor to consider in ensuring overall workplace safety. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide and maintain suitable safe equipment. In addition, an employer is also responsible for providing training and information on risks and precautions. However, it is the employee’s responsibility to select the correct machine for the work to be undertaken. Employees must ensure to use only the equipment they are trained in its use.

Plant and Equipment Safety – Main Dangers

When we talk about plant and equipment safety, we must consider and address main dangers associated with its use:

Traps (Entrapment) – Moving equipment that can trap body parts, such as presses and hydraulic jacks.
Contact – Abrasions, bruising or friction burns can occur when people accidentally come into contact with moving parts.
Impact – Moving parts may hit operators or the public if unguarded or badly sited.
Ejection Some unguarded equipment, e.g., drills and saws, may throw off bits of metal or wood.
Entanglement – Moving machinery such as rollers, cogs and conveyors that can entangle hair, jewellery and clothes, even pulling whole bodies into machinery.

Guards and Safety Features

Guarding is often used as a method of controlling the risks associated with moving parts and machinery. For example, some guards act as a permanent barrier to prevent people from gaining access to a dangerous area. Other moveable types will prevent the machine from operating unless the guard is in place. Furthermore, it is important that guards and other safety features, such as emergency stop buttons and alarms, are working correctly. If they are not, the machinery must not be used.

Plant and Equipment Safety – Hand Tools

There are some basic rules to consider to ensure safe use of tools:

Select the right tool for the right job.
Make sure the tool is maintained and in good condition.
Report broken or worn tools to a supervisor.
Only use tools you have been trained to use.
Use the tools correctly.
Store correctly after use.

Plant and Equipment Safety – Machinery

Similarly, there are some basic rules to consider to ensure safe use of machinery:

Guards – Never attempt to remove or defeat machinery guards. Many guards operate on a ‘failure to safety’ system. For example, if the guard is not in place the machine will not work.
Power – Always turn off machines and power when not in use. Turn off and unplug for cleaning and maintenance.
Lighting – Use effective lighting to enable the machine to be used safely.
Housekeeping – Keep the workplace clean. Untidy areas around machinery can cause falls and provide fuel for fires.
Repairs – Report any faults or suspected faults immediately, including missing guards or safety equipment.
Clothing – Do not wear loose clothing around machinery. No ties, belts, straps or jewellery. Wear suitable personal protective clothing or equipment. Keep longhair tied up or covered if using machinery.
Training – Do not use equipment unless trained to do so.
Responsibility – Wear any protective equipment deemed necessary by risk assessment. Never distract colleagues who are using machinery or other equipment.

Ensuring Equipment Safety

When selecting equipment it is important to choose the safest possible option for any work activity. Whether selecting or purchasing you must:

Ask technical questions and compare the information provided by suppliers.
Check that the equipment has a CE mark.
Satisfy yourself that you have obtained all the relevant safety information.
Make sure sufficient, relevant training is given.
Undertake a risk assessment before any equipment is installed or used.

Equipment must be well maintained to make sure it is in safe working order. Likewise, the maintenance should be carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions by a competent person. The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland provides a wealth of information on Plant and Machinery via their Construction Section of the website.

Online Health and Safety Training

Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.

Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.

This is why we have established Myelearnsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.

Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.

To find out more, please check our Courses page.

Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie

eLearn Safety – Online Health and Safety Training