Selection of safety measures providing the required risk reduction for woodworking machines

According to the Regulation of the Minister of Economy of 14 April 2000 on occupational safety and health when operating woodworking machines. (Journal of Laws No 36, item 409).

No

Item

Requirement

Selection of safety measures

1.       

§ 3.1.

Is the machine fitted with clamping and pressing assemblies in order to secure the material being worked on against accidental recoil or ejection?

o  Repair of existing clamping and pressing devices

o  Application of new or additional fixed clamping and pressing devices

o  The use of a demountable power feed

o  The use of other safety devices – e.g. anti-kickback pawls

o  Moving away the operator and bystanders from the danger zone by guarding and limiting

o  Moving away the operator and bystanders from the danger zone by locating the machine appropriately at the workstation, e.g. with respect to a building

o  Moving away the operator and bystanders from the danger zone by appropriately locating the machine control cabinet.

o  Danger zone marking

o  Warning information on the machine

o  Warning information and a description of the process in the job instruction

o  On-the-job training

2.       

§ 4.1.

Are machine electrical safety tests carried out in accordance with the O&M manual or the user’s manual at least once every two years?

o  Performing and recording electrical tests in accordance with the regulations

o  Marking of machinery containing the date of the next check

o  Development and observance of the test schedule in the machine inspection log

o  Appointment of persons authorised and responsible for electrical safety tests

o  Appointment of persons responsible for supervising the schedule of checks

3.       

Are these activities performed only by authorised persons?

o  Appointment of persons authorised and responsible for electrical safety tests, who hold current SEP qualification certificates for operation or supervision

o  Provision of supervision for checking whether SEP qualification certificates of persons authorised and responsible for electrical safety tests are effective.

o  Making records of these activities, including the identification of personnel performing them and licence documents – numbers and expiry dates of SEP qualification certificates

4.       

§ 4.2.

Are the steps referred to above applied after each repair, painting and change of the place of installation of a fixed machine?

o  Writing the appropriate requirement in the plant instructions or internal procedures

o  Keeping the machine log containing all relevant information on undertaken actions, their nature and scope, timing, performing and supervising personnel and conclusion, if any

o  On-the-job training

5.       

§ 5.1.

Are machine tool control devices, their number and location selected and located so that they do not present a risk of accident?

o  For a large number of machine control devices – locating in an accessible and visible place a clearly distinctive emergency stop control device

o  Keeping distances between control devices which are sufficient for convenient operation of the machine

o  Location of control elements outside danger zones

o  Protection of the machine start-up device against unintentional activation

o  Clear labelling of control elements

o  Description in the machine instruction (or job instruction) of the machine control system including an indication of the position of the individual control devices

o  On-the-job training

6.       

§ 5.2.

Are two-handed control devices activated only by simultaneous activation of these devices with both hands?

o  Two-handed control device meeting this requirement

o  The use of other safety devices (guards, light curtains, pressure-sensitive mats, etc.) preventing the operator from inserting a hand into the danger zone

o  On-the-job training

7.       

§ 5.3.

Are safety devices in good working order and can be found in the designated places?

o  Regular (daily) checking of safety devices by the operator and reporting any irregularities to supervisors. This should be entered in operator’s job duties and conveyed to him during on-the-job training.

o  Marking the correct position of portable safety devices

o  Describing in the job instruction or machine user’s manual of the proper position of safety devices

o  On-the-job training

8.       

§ 6.1.

Are safety devices used wherever there is a safety hazard due to a possibility of personnel’s contact with cutting tools, moving parts or workpieces?

o  The use of guards preventing or impeding operator’s insertion of a hand into the danger zone

o  The use of safety devices, light curtains, pressure-sensitive mats, etc., disabling dangerous movement of the machine when the operator approaches the danger zone.

o  The use of a demountable power feed

o  The use of an automatic brake

o  Machine safety equipment of pushers and/or manual pressure pads, increasing the distance of operator’s hands from the danger zone

o  Warning labelling (or colour)

o  Description in the machine user’s manual (or the job instruction) of risks associated with a possibility of operator’s contact with cutting tools, moving parts or workpieces and practices to protect against these hazards

o  On-the-job training

9.       

§ 6.2.

Is the machine tool fitted with a device ensuring a safe stop of working components, moving parts or the workpiece, if it is provided for in the M&O manual or user’s manual?

o  No brake is necessary (freewheel stop time less than 10 seconds)

o  The equipment of a typical machine including an automatic brake stopping the machine within the time (except for machines with a very high inertia of moving parts) with:

-   unrestricted access to moving parts - 10 s

-   no unrestricted access (enclosures, full fixed guards) – 30 s

o  Description in the machine user’s manual (or the job instruction) of risks associated with a possibility of operator’s contact with unstopped work components, moving parts or workpieces and practices to protect against these hazards

o  On-the-job training

10.   

Is the braking device interlocked with the drive so as to prevent braking with the activated drive?

o  Replacing the brake to the right one

o  The use of automatic (thermal or overload) drive breakers

11.   

§ 7.1.

Are the workpieces and the cutting tools secured so as to prevent their breaking or changing the position during machining under the influence of cutting forces and centrifugal forces?

o  The use of left-hand thread for mounting a cutting tool on the spindle

o  The use of a double nut arrangement for mounting a cutting tool on the spindle

o  The support of the material to ensure stability during machining (table, longitudinal guides, T-square – transverse guide)

o  Appropriate process fixtures (holders, V-blocks etc.) for material with round and irregular shapes preventing stable support on a plane

o  The use of a demountable power feed

o  The use of material pressure pads or clamps

o  Description in the machine user’s manual (or the job instruction) of methods for attachment of tools and/or material

12.   

§ 7.2.

Is the machine fitted with appropriate supports or other devices ensuring the stability of material during machining for material of considerable length?

o  The combination of the machine table with a feeder

o  The use of a table extension

o  The use of free-standing roller supports

o  Description in the machine user’s manual (or the job instruction) of methods for ensuring material stability

o  On-the-job training

13.   

§ 7.3.

Can the machine spindle be fixed to change over cutting tools used for material machining?

o  The use of the spindle lock

o  The use of the two wrenches (for the spindle and the spindle nut)

o  Another safe method to immobilise the spindle, described in the manual

14.   

§ 7.4.

Are cutting tools mounted in machine tools properly enclosed or guarded?

o  The mounting of machine tools in the machine housing

o  The use of fixed guards of the non-working parts of the cutting tools

o  The use self-closing guards or adjustable guards in the cutting zone

o  The use of flexible guards, curtains or other devices hindering access or automatically disabling the machine drive after their activation

o  Description in the machine user’s manual (or the job instruction) of rules for setting adjustable guards

o  On-the-job training

15.   

Do cutting tools mounted in the machine tools meet the requirements specified in the O&M manual or the user’s manual?

o  Selection of tools in compliance with the machine user’s manual

o  Selection of tools with speed limits greater than the spindle speed

o  In the case of manual feed – selection of tools marked “MAN” or meeting the requirements of EN 847-1 for manual feed tools

o  Selection of tools with teeth (shape and type of material) appropriate for the type of workpiece wood

o  Selection of tools with geometrical parameters appropriate for the machine, including the spindle, tool guard and the riving knife

o  The use of factory reduction bushes, in the case of tools with a different mounting diameter

o  Appropriate entries in the machine user’s manual (or the job instruction)

o  On-the-job training

16.   

§ 11.1.1).

Are circular saws fitted with saw guards during operation?

o  The use of a saw blade guard in the tool work area

o  The use of the guard for the non-working part of the saw

17.   

§ 11.2.

Are circular saws designed for longitudinal cutting of wood or boards fitted with an adjustable riving knife, protecting against jamming or workpiece kickback?

o  The use of the riving knife calibrated for the particular circular saw (outer diameter and thickness of the saw blade)

o  Fixing the riving knife in the correct position relative to the saw blade

o  Fixing the riving knife ensuring its coplanarity and stability of its position relative to the saw blade

o  Appropriate entries in the machine user’s manual (or the job instruction)

o  On-the-job training

18.   

§ 11.3.

In the case of the mounting of the top saw blade on the riving knife, does the outer diameter of the saw blade, which can be used in the saw according to the O&M manual or user’s manual, not exceed 315 mm?

o  Replacement of the guard mounting to e.g. lateral – for a larger circular saw diameter

o  Changing over the saw blade to a smaller one – up to 315 mm

o  Appropriate entries in the machine user’s manual (or the job instruction)

19.   

In such a case is the riving knife made in a way that ensures sufficient fixing strength of the top guard?

o  Replacement of the guard mounting to e.g. lateral – for a larger circular saw diameter

o  Changeover of the riving knife to a stiffer one

o  Appropriate entries in the machine manual (or the job instruction) on the method for checking the mounting strength of the top guard on the riving knife

20.   

§ 11.4.

Are longitudinal, single or multi-blade circular saws, top spindle with mechanised feed provided with two rows of anti-kickback pawls across the entire width?

o  The use of two long rows of pawls (obstructs the feeding opening of the machine) allowing mutual obstruction of gaps between pawls

o  The use of an additional guard

21.   

Are longitudinal, single or multi-blade circular saws, top spindle with mechanised feed provided with a safety guard to capture fine waste generated in the manufacturing process, mounted upstream of anti-kickback pawls?

o  Adding the missing piece of the guard

o  Replacement of a guard/ curtain

o  The use of an additional guard

o  The use of two long rows of pawls (obstructing the feeding opening of the machine) allowing for mutual obstruction of gaps between pawls

22.   

§ 12.1.2).

Is the band saw insert made of non-sparking material?

o  Replacement of the insert by one made of non-sparking material (e.g. wood, wood material, plastic or light metal alloy)

23.   

Is the band saw insert made not excessively worn?

o  Replacing the insert by a new one

24.   

§ 12.1.3).

Is the width of the insert gap through which the saw blade passes as small as possible and suitable for the dimensions of the saw blade?

o  Replacing the insert by a new one

25.   

§ 12.1.4).

Is the fixing of the material in the clamping device stable both during the band saw working movement and the return movement?

o  Name of the clamping device

o  Replacement of the clamping device

o  The use of an additional fixing

26.   

§ 12.2.

Are band saws fitted with devices to prevent the saw band from falling?

o  Jaw guides

o  Roller guides (for non-tensioned saws)

o  Pressure guides (for tensioned saws)

27.   

Are band saws fitted with devices to prevent saw accidental start-up?

o  The use of start-up control devices which do not protrude from the housing

o  Enclosing of start-up control elements

28.   

Are band saws fitted with protecting devices to brake band wheels in the event of saw blade breaking?

o  Connection of a saw blade tension sensor with the automatic brake

o  Monitoring of the presence (saw continuity) – e.g. a capacitive sensor connected to the automatic brake

29.   

§ 13.1.4).

Are end sections of carriage tracks of frame-saws fitted with a device preventing carriage rolling off the tracks?

o  The use of appropriate stops in the final sections of tracks

o  The use of carriage brakes near the final sections of tracks

o  The use of other safeguards (e.g. rope or chain carriage movement stops)

30.   

§ 13. 1.5).

Are all drive mechanisms of frame saws located in the frame saw hall and under the frame saw guarded so as to prevent access to them during movement?

o  The use of identical locks with a single key for opening the area under the frame saw and starting up the frame saw

o  Use of interlocking door with locking

31.   

§ 13.1.8).

Is the area under the frame saw fenced off?

o  Fencing of the area under the frame saw

 

32.   

§ 13.1.10).

Is the area under the frame saw door interlocked with the frame saw power supply so that the opening of the door stops the saw?

o  The use of interlocking door

33.   

§ 13.2.

Are guards for all moving parts, except for feed movement cylinders used in vertical frame saws?

o  The use of guards (usually fixed steel mesh guards)

 

34.   

§ 13.3.

Are guards referred to in paragraph 2 interlocked with circular saw drives?

o  The use of interlocking door

35.   

§ 14.3.

Are cutter heads of thickness planers fitted with guards on both sides?

o  Mounting of the cutter head inside the thickness planer housing

o  Provision of additional tunnel guards in the case of access to the cutter head

36.   

Are thickness planers fitted with an anti-kickback device on the feed side?

o  Fit a multi ratchet device on the thickness planer

o  Fit a single ratchet device on the thickness planer

37.   

§ 15.

Are planers fitted with a device for braking the drive, automatic or foot-lever operated?

o  No need to take any actions in the case of free stopping time of less than 10 seconds

o  Fitting the planer with an automatic brake when the free stopping time is longer than 10 s

o  Fitting the planer with a foot-operated brake when the free stopping time is longer than 10 s, and an automatic brake could entail machine modification

38.   

§ 16.1.

Are the guards of unused working assemblies of combination machines located in safety positions?

o  Providing a set of guards and designating space to store them

o  Information labelling near working assemblies

o  Appropriate entries in the machine manual (or the job instruction) concerning the guards of unused working assemblies

o  On-the-job training

39.   

§ 17.1.

Do guards of bottom vertical milling machines cover completely a non-working part of a cutting tool?

o  Providing an additional top guard in the form of a flap preventing access to the spindle from the top.

o  Appropriate guidelines of the machine manual (or the job instruction) on non-eliminated risk associated with access to the danger zone and appropriate methods of working

o  On-the-job training

40.   

§ 17.2.

Does the guard located above the workpiece completely cover the fixture and part of the cutting tool during the use of top vertical milling machines?

o  The use of an appropriate guard

o  The use of a demountable power feed

o  The use of pressure combs

o  The use of a template fixture

o  The use of an extra guard mounted to the milling machine guides

o  Appropriate guidelines of the machine user’s manual (or the job instruction) on work methods to protect against the contact with a milling machine cutter tool

o  On-the-job training

41.   

§ 18.1

Are chain chisel mortisers fitted with a device protecting against accidental chisel start-up during movement of the carriage?

o  A mechanical or electric interlock protecting against accidental chisel start-up during movement of the carriage.

o  Appropriate guidelines of the machine user’s manual (or the job instruction) on non-eliminated risk associated with a possibility of accidental chisel start-up during movement of the carriage and appropriate methods of protection in a hazardous situation

o  On-the-job training

42.   

§ 18.2

Are chain chisel mortisers fitted with a guard completely covering the drive wheel and the non-working part of the chain chisel?

o  Provide an additional guard or repair the existing one

o  Use a new guard which meets the requirements.

o  Cover the entire danger zone by a transparent guard interlocked with the chisel mortiser drive.