Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
184
just allowing access for barrows etc., to the unload-
ing area
➤
drives and rotating parts of engine should be 
enclosed
Figure 11.27
Typical cement/concrete mixer.
Figure 11.28
Bench-mounted circular saw.
➤
the drum gearing should be enclosed and persons 
kept away from the rotating drum, which is normally 
fairly high on large machines
➤
no one should be allowed to stand on the machine 
while it is in motion
➤
goggles should be worn to prevent cement splashes
➤
if petrol driven, care is required with fl ammable 
liquids and refuelling
➤
engines must only be run in the open air
➤
electric machines should be regularly checked and 
be on the PAT schedule
➤
noise levels should be checked and noise attenu-
ation, for example, silencers and damping, fi tted if 
necessary.
Construction – bench-mounted circular saw
Application of safeguards (Figure 11.28)
➤
a 
fi xed guard should be fi tted to the blade below the 
bench
➤
fi xed guards should be fi tted to the motor and drives
➤
an adjustable top guard should be fi tted to the blade 
above the bench which encloses as much of the 
blade as possible. An adjustable front section should 
also be fi tted
➤
a riving knife should be fi tted behind the blade to 
keep the cut timber apart and prevent ejection

---

Work equipment hazards and control
185
➤
noise attenuation should be applied to the machine, 
for example, damping, special quiet saw blades and 
if necessary fi tting in an enclosure. Hearing protec-
tion may have to be used
➤
protection against wet weather should be provided
➤
the electrical parts should be regularly checked plus 
all the mechanical guards
➤
extraction ventilation will be required for the wood 
dust and shavings
➤
suitable dust masks should be worn.