What are the specific risks for work equipment and machinery?

Selection, use and maintenance of work equipment may not be suitable and sufficient for its intended use increasing the risk of damage and injury to users and others.

‘Work equipment’ is a term applied to equipment, machinery, tools, appliances, and apparatus for use in work environments. ‘Work equipment’ also includes items of equipment which are the personal property of staff for their own use at work.

‘Work equipment’ must be suitable for the purpose for which it is being used and be maintained in a good state of repair with users having received appropriate training in the safe use of the equipment including checks and inspections before and after its use.

Dependent on the type of work equipment there are requirements to carry safety markings, for there to be means to stop, start, and control the equipment and to carry appropriate conformity markings.

Where the risks from the use of work equipment are significant, a ‘Provision and Use of Work Equipment’ (PUWER) risk assessment will be required which will, for example, identify the specific risks from the use of the work equipment, any dangerous parts, equipment controls and maintenance and inspection requirements. See the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).

The current university health and safety policy on the management and use of work equipment and machinery can be found on the attached link.

There is also a homepage that lists the range of Health and Safety risks identified as relevant to the University's activities and facilities, together with information on the University's policies and arrangements on how these risks are to be managed and controlled.