BWF members such as yourselves frequently use our Member and Technical Helplines for assistance on a wide range of Employment, Health and Safety, Pay 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 our Machine Safety Cards, Health and Safety Policy Statements, and guidance notes on preparing a risk assessment. This week: What are the Braking requirements under PUWER? As mentioned in last week’s News Update, failing to follow safety precautions comes at a high personal and financial cost. Even though the PUWER regulations have been in place for long enough for companies to adapt, many small businesses have yet to hear of the regulations! The BWF frequently receive reports emphasising the importance of the proper guarding of machines and the ability to stop a machine quickly an emergency. The ‘Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998’ (PUWER 98) cover all types of equipment and machinery used at work. The HSE issued specific guidance entitled ‘Safe use of woodworking machinery – an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) & Guidance”. If the guidance in this is followed then compliance with PUWER 98 will be achieved. In this document there were certain requirements covering braking which were completely new and had to be put into effect by specified dates. The ACoP states that a brake must be fitted to any machine where there is a risk of contact with the cutting tools during rundown and where the normal stopping time is more than 10 seconds. Some band saws are allowed a stopping time of up to 35 seconds.
A risk assessment must be conducted to establish which machines require braking but the Code of Practice states they were considered necessary for the following machines by the dates specified, hence the braking should already be in place where required: