Workshop / Equipment Safety
Incorrect or unsafe use of workshop equipment can give rise to a risk of significant injury. Items such as band saws, abrasive wheels, etc have the potential to cause serious injury. The University has prepared a number of general risk assessments for workshop equipment to aid workers is addressing the hazards posed by workshop equipment. These documents must be reviewed by persons using workshop equipment in order to ensure that they adequately manage the risks posed by the equipment in question. In the event that a general biological equipment risk assessment is not sufficient to control the risk posed by the equipment in use then there are two options available. General equipment risk assessments can be modified to include additional risk control measures and more specific information on the equipment in question or the user can complete a new risk assessment using a UCD Equipment Risk Assessment Template.
It is essential that all users of University workshop equipment are competent to operate that equipment safely. At a minimum all equipment users must know how to safely start, safely stop and safely operate the equipment. In addition they must know how to deal with problems with the equipment such as blockages, broken components, etc.
Before using any piece of equipment it must be visually inspected to ensure that it is not damaged. Damaged equipment must not be use – it must be removed immediately from service and the damage reported to a workshop manager/technical officer.
Equipment must only be used for the purpose for which it was designed/intended.