Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

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Work equipment hazards and control
183
➤
the ram pressure should be dumped if it is hydraulic
➤
drives of motors should be properly guarded
➤
if the waste unit is removed by truck, the ram mech-
anism should be interlocked with the unit so that 
it cannot operate when the unit is changed for an 
empty one
➤
the machine should be regularly inspected and tested 
by a competent person
Figure 11.25
STIHL petrol-driven brush cutter for profes-
sional users.
Figure 11.26
Typical retail compactor.
➤
if the hydraulic ram can fall under gravity, mechan-
ical restraints should automatically move into pos-
ition when the doors are opened
➤
emergency stop buttons should be fi tted on each 
side.
Retail – checkout conveyor
Application of safeguards
➤
all traps between belt and rollers are either provided 
with fi xed guards or interlocked guards
➤
motor and drive unit should be provided with a fi xed 
guard and access to underside of conveyor is pre-
vented by enclosure
➤
adequate emergency stop buttons must be provided 
by the checkout operator
➤
machine should be on the PAT electrical inspection 
schedule and regularly checked
➤
auto stop system should be fi tted so that conveyor 
does not push products into the operator’s working 
zone.
Construction – cement mixer
Application of safeguards (Figure 11.27)
➤
operating position for the hopper hoist should be 
designed so that anyone in the trapping area is vis-
ible to the operator. The use of the machine should 
be restricted to designated operators only. As far as 
possible the trapping point should be designed out. 
The hoist operating location should be fenced off 

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