Statistics from the HSE show that 25-30% of manufacturing fatalities in Great Britain relate to maintenance activities. Take steps today to protect your workers by ensuring that your machinery maintenance risks are identified and effectively managed.
Tips for Safe Machine Maintenance
- Undertake a risk assessment to find out what risks are involved to workers performing maintenance tasks, such as how they could be pulled into machines or fall from the top of machines. Identify the key control measures needed, such as training for workers and guarding of moving machinery parts.
- Make sure you know everything you can about your machines so you can plan for things that could go wrong, and find out about different run modes. Read the manuals before putting any new machine into action.
- Develop safe working procedures for both preventative and reactive maintenance, as the circumstances under which workers perform these tasks are likely to be different. Remember that reactive maintenance can occur under pressure, such as when machines have a fault, and staff need clear instructions on how to proceed safely.
- Establish the correct equipment needed for maintenance tasks, such as fixed ladders to prevent access equipment moving during use, and fall restraints if access at height is required.
- Train workers to isolate and lock off machinery before attempting maintenance activities. Give each worker involved in the operation their own locking off padlock. Ensure any stored pneumatic or hydraulic energy is released before work starts.
- Use signage to tell other workers in the area that maintenance is being undertaken. Don’t let anyone else try to start up a machine whilst this is being done – remove all keys and isolate as detailed above.
Contact us, should you require assistance.
