PUWER 1998 Health & Safety onsite wood machining courses are designed to bring the experienced operator and multi-skilled worker up to date with the latest Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 as applied to woodworking machinery. All courses are tailor made to the company’s requirements.
It is a misconception by some managers to assume that time served joiners are fully qualified to operate woodworking machinery. As most joiners were trained under the woodworking machinery regulations 1974, ( even then very little or no training was provided on tool setting ), the old regs have now been replaced by PUWER 1998 hence the need for further training.
Authorization to operate woodworking machinery.
“It should not be assumed that qualified staff, new staff ect, are competent in the use of such equipment, therefore it is a legal requirement that no one should be allowed to work at a woodworking machines unless they have demonstrated competence”.
Who should be trained.
“You should insure that training is provided for machine operators and those who assist in the machining process, for example in taking off, feeding and/or loading work pieces etc It should also be provided for those who set , clean, and maintain woodworking machinery plus supervisors”. As recommended by the HSE.
The course consists of four elements.
Candidate assessment.
PUWER 1998 Regulations (concluding with a written test).
Proving competence by operating the machines in a safe manner.
Machinery and workshop risk assessment.
On completion the candidate receives a certificate of competence.
The basic skills and knowledge common to all woodworking machines. This will include aspects of ‘good housekeeping’ and awareness of danger appropriate for someone ‘taking-off’. plus knowledge of the relevant legislation.
Machine specific: The basic skill in the operation of the machine, including the position and function of emergency stops, basic safety rules relating to the operation of a machine or class of machines. The use of and adjustment of guards and safety devices.
Selection of the correct machine and tooling for the job, and knowledge of those operations prohibited and that machine without additional safe guards.
Practical understanding of the legal requirements. For example the function and setting of the riving knife on a circular bench saw, the adjustment of the top guard on a surface planing machine. The appropriate use of guards, stops and jigs on a spindle moulder.
Included in the cost is PUWER 1998 risk assessment of the workshop and machinery, plus a current H&S policy, a maintenance log, ear defender enforcement notice, a compliance with PUWER information sheet.
Check the correct breaking of woodworking machines.
Check limited cutter projection on spindle moulders, and planers.
Check adequate dust extraction, which includes a lamp dust efficiency test if required.
A decibel sound test, a lux meter lighting test, plus test for strobing.
I am an accredited City and Guilds training consultant in woodworking machinery. I provide training for prisons, colleges, universities, blue chip companies and local councils. I am currently providing training for over two hundred hospitals.
Do not risk a large fine – ring now for an informal chat.
Mel Vaughan, Woodstyle Design, 42 Bawtry Rd, Harworth, Doncaster DN118NX
Tel : 0870 300 3999 Mobile 07748790775
Email : [email protected]