BWF members such as yourselves frequently use our Member and Technical Helplines for assistance on a wide range of Employment, Health and Safety, Contractual and Technical issues. We’re putting up a frequently asked question every Tuesday in order to help members and illustrate the type of advice we are able to provide. If you have any questions that you would like to see featured, we would be happy to assist. This question and many others like it can be found in our Question Centre. If you want further advice on any of the issues, don’t hesitate to ring the helpline or browse our extensive publications library, which includes a sample risk assessment, briefings on accident reporting and investigations, and a model COSHH policy document. This week: How can I be sure that my employees are legally ‘competent’ to carry out their woodworking machinery activities? Although it sometimes difficult to easily demonstrate such competency, generally the view is that employees should be able to produce the product on time, to the required standard and be able to carry out a task safely. From a health and safety point of view, it is suggested that a competent worker should be able to demonstrate:
– that they can select the correct machine and tooling
– the ability and confidence to say “this is the wrong machine for this job, it can be done more safely on”
– what the guards do and how to use and adjust them properly, as well as any other protection devices. For example, on a circular saw, why you need a riving knife and how to set it and adjust the top guard
– a knowledge of safe methods of working including appropriate selection of jigs, holders, push-sticks and similar protection appliances
– their understanding of the legal requirements for the guards to be used correctly
– a knowledge of the nature of the wood and the hazards that this can cause, such as kickback, snatching and ejection. This is particularly important because poor supervision and inadequate training are two of the main causes of accidents. The law requires that all workers must receive adequate training. It also makes good business sense to make sure your employees are working efficiently and safely. It is also a misconception by some to assume that ‘time served joiners’ are fully qualified and ‘competent’ in their work including operating woodworking machinery. Some joiners were trained a number of years ago under older regulations, therefore refresher training is a must to ensure an adequate standard of training and competency is maintained. Don’t forget, the WITForum offers a range of refresher courses on woodmachines. Visit the training area of the website, or contact Michael Lee, Membership Director, or click on some of the links below:
Supervising for safety in woodworking INDG 440
Approved Code of Practice and Guidance (ACOP) [2.97MB]