Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Work equipment hazards and control
173
➤
health hazards from the engine fumes, (carbon diox-
ide and carbon monoxide) particularly if used inside 
a shed or other building.
Retail – compactor
The hazards are:
➤
crushing hazard between the ram and the machine 
sides
➤
trapping between the ram and machine frame (shear 
action)
➤
crushing when the waste unit is being changed if 
removed by truck
➤
entanglement with moving parts of pump motor
➤
electrical from faulty wiring and/or earthing or during 
maintenance
➤
failure of hydraulic hoses with liquid released under 
pressure causing puncture to eyes or other parts of 
body
➤
falling of vertical ram under gravity if the hydraulic 
system fails
➤
handling hazards during loading and unloading.
Retail – checkout conveyor system
The hazards are:
➤
entanglement with belt fasteners if fi tted
➤
drawing in between belt and rollers if under tension
➤
drawing in between drive belt and pulley
➤
contact or entanglement with motor drive
➤
electrical from faulty wiring and/or earthing or during 
maintenance.
Construction – cement/concrete mixer
The hazards are:
➤
contact and entanglement with moving parts of the 
drive motor
➤
crushing between loading hopper (if fi tted) and drum
➤
drawing-in between chain and sprocket drives
➤
electrical, if electrically powered
➤
burns from hot parts of engine
➤
fi re if highly fl ammable liquids used as fuel
➤
possible noise hazards from the motor and dry mix-
ing of aggregates
➤
eye injury from splashing cement slurry
➤
possible health hazard from cement dust and 
cement slurry while handling.