These regulations stipulate what how general machinery must be handled at the workplace. They must be read in conjunction with the OHSA. Some of the more important definitions to note are: “Competent person”; “Certificated engineer”; “Shiftsman”.
This regulation stipulates under what circumstances machinery must be safeguarded.
Compliance Obligations?
You must ensure that:
• All machinery used is suitable for the purposes for which it is used and that it is installed, operated and maintained in such a manner that it prevents exposure of persons to hazardous or potentially hazardous circumstances;
• Every exposed and dangerous part of machinery which is within the normal reach of a person must be effectively guarded by means of insulation, fencing, screening or guarding except where an inspector has granted permission for there not to be safeguarding;
• All safety equipment is kept in good working condition and is properly used and;
• That the quality of material used in and the construction of the machinery is suitable for the purpose for which it was intended.
Where machinery constitutes a danger to persons then you must cause the area of concern to be enclosed, and where such area is unattended, that the designated entrances are kept closed and locked.
No person is allowed to remove any safety equipment which relates to the machinery in question unless he has been authorised to do so.
This regulation stipulates how machinery should be operated.
Compliance Obligations?
You must ensure that every person who has been authorised to operate machinery is fully aware of the dangers attached to such use and is conversant with the precautionary measures that must be taken to prevent such dangers.
If a person operates machinery which requires constant attention in order to avoid accidents, he/she is not allowed to leave his/her post whilst such machinery is in operation, unless he/she is relieved by a person who is authorized to and competent to operate the machinery.
You must ensure that any machinery which requires constant attention in order to avoid accidents is under the supervision of a Shiftsman, who will at all time be present on the premises whilst the machinery is in operation.
No person that is supervising and operating machinery shall without permission his his/her superior allow any other person to do his/her work.
If a machine threatens or is likely to threaten the safety of persons when it is unexpectedly set in motion or made electrically alive, the user of the machinery concerned must take all precautionary measures to prevent the machinery from being set in motion or made electrically alive.
If machinery is in operation and it threats or is likely to threaten the safety of persons, the supervisor/operator must stop the machinery.
This regulation specifies what requirements need to be adhered to in respect of moving or electrically live machinery.
Compliance Obligations?
You may not permit the user of machinery other than a competent person or a person who has been trained to the satisfaction of an inspector to do any work on or near moving or electrically alive machinery if such work may endanger him/her.
You must take all precautionary measures in order to ensure that persons, who perform work on or near electrically alive machinery, do not get injured whilst doing so.
No person who works in close proximity to moving machinery shall wear or be permitted to wear any loosely fitted outer clothing, jewellery or ornament, watch, key-chain, loose-hanging hair or anything which may be caught in the moving parts of the machinery.