The Injuries Board have issued figures that 10% of all workplace claims assessed by the Board in 2013 involved machinery and work equipment.
The statistics revealed that in 2013 compensation was awarded totalling
€3.1m for accidents involving machinery and work equipment. The average compensation award for injuries resulting from the use of machinery and work equipment was
€39,472.
The Injuries Board, which is urging caution when using machinery and work equipment, says that when operating machinery it is very important to be alert to potential dangers.
Some pointers to remember if you or your workforce use machinery:
Machinery guards
- Machines should be set and adjustments made with the guards in position
- Guarding should be checked and maintained in proper working order. Visual examination should be carried out broken or missing guards repaired or replaced.
- Machine stability - machines should be secured to a base so they cannot move or vibrate
- Operator safety – Should be given training, do not wear loose frayed clothing, tie back long hair, and should not operate machinery if they are on certain medications.
- Warning notices should be displayed alongside machines to remind operators of the dangers they pose.
- No – volt releases - Dangerous machines with exposed blades are fitted with no-volt release (NVR). This mechanism ensures that after a power failure the machine starts only when the control button is operated and not when it is plugged in or when the electrical power is switched back on. Any machine without an NVR should be fitted with a no – volt release. Review of the manufactures advice is necessary.
Maintenance – Safe maintenance is good business
- Corrective maintenance should be implemented immediately when a system is in a failed state. When a machine is in a failed state is should be either removed from site, or repaired as soon as possible but kept out of action until repairs are completed.
- Preventive maintenance should be on going; schedules checks and services to the machine will elongate the lifespan of the machine and reduce a failure of the system
Training, signed records
- Regular periodic checks on machinery need to be carried out and records maintained.
- Operators need sufficient training and guidance on the use of machines. Training records need to be maintained and updated on a regular basis.
Risk assessments
- Risk assessments need to be carried out for all operating machinery. These assessments need to ensure all relevant control measures are in place and supervised.
Workplace
- Vehicular traffic routes should be planned and clearly identified.
- Pedestrians should be segregated from vehicles at all times.
- Signage/ road markings should be legible
- Lighting needs to be sufficient
- Traffic control / speed limits should be in place.
- Parking should be in designated areas only.
- Housekeeping & maintenance standards should be high.
- Safety systems of work should be in place for all work practices.
You are legally compelled to have written risk assessments for your business operations and failure to do so may lead to a prosecution by the Health & Safety Authority or lead to issues with your insurance company and their likelihood to support a claim on your employer’s liability or public liability insurance.
You need to ensure your Safety Management Systems are up to speed in order that you have some means to prevent injuries, mitigate claims and present a defence. Call us at Peninsula Business Services (Ireland) Ltd for more details on
0818 923 923.
Stephanie Byrne is a Technical Advisor working with
Peninsula Business Services (Ireland) Ltd; who are Ireland’s leading provider of employment law and health & safety services. Established in Ireland since 1997, we have thousands of businesses who have already integrated Peninsula to work as part of their HR and Health & Safety departments. With offices in Dublin, Belfast, Sydney and Manchester, Peninsula employs 1000 people across Ireland, Australia and the UK.
