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.
Regulation 9 states, “ You should ensure that training is provided for machine operators who set and maintain woodworking machinery.
It is a misconception by some managers to assume that time served joiners are fully qualified to set and maintain 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regulations 1974, ( even then very little or no training was provided on tool setting ), the old regs have now been replaced by PUWER 1998 hence the need for further training.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 operate, set or maintain 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. On completion the candidates will receive a certificate of competence.
Candidate assessment.
PUWER 1998 Regulations.
Machine and tool setting in compliance with PUWER.
Proving competence.
1/ Spindle moulder, check cutters comply with regs, strip down and rebuild cutter block. Check false fence , and shaw guards are being used, check belts, check switchgear, check interlocking switch.
2/ Rip saw, check riving knife alignment, check blade alignment with the fence, check blade sharpness, blade cleaning and changing, check no hands area is marked out, check crown guard is deep enough, check belts, and check switchgear.
3/ Planer-thicknesser. Change blade and set correct projection on cutter block, check fences, check stability of bridge guard and check switchgear. discuss the importance of keeping both beds clean and polished.
4/ Crosscut, Check blade sharpness, check blade is square horizontally and vertically, check no hands area is marked out, check nose guard, clean running track and oil bearings and check switchgear.
5/ Band-saw, Check blade sharpness, check blade tension, check blade is running on center of wheel, check alignment of thrust bearings, and side bearings, and check switchgear. change the blade and reset. Check interlock.
6/ Morticer, check cutter sharpness, remove and reset cutter and align with back fence, and check switchgear.
7/ Bench grinder, check wheel condition, check tool rest, check spark shields, and check switchgear. Remove wheel and refit plus dress the wheel.
8/ Piller drill, check guard, check cover on pulley wheel, and check switchgear.
9/ Safety equipment, check correct safety impact goggles and safety glasses are provided, check correct dust masks are provided and check ear defenders.
10/ Machinery, service machines every 6 months or more frequently if required. check extraction is tested every 14 months, check it works efficiently. Check all the machines are bolted to the floor.
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]