Metal and woodworking machines (in brief)

Risks associated with working with machines
At Nikhef there are machines to work metal, wood and plastic. By machines it is meant, apparatus purpose built to work different materials. It can for example be a turning and milling machine, a welding apparatus, a fixed drill or a metal folding machine. A hand held drill, sander, or jig saw do not fall under this heading. The largest proportion of Nikhef’s machines are found in the mechanical workshop. The risks associated with the use of metal and wood working machinery mostly involve moving parts of the machinery. Through movement and pressure there is risk of crushing. When cutting grinding or sawing  metal or wood splinters can fly off. With turning and moving parts  articles of clothing or body extremities can  be caught up in the machinery. Sharp knives chisels or cutting edges can result in cut wounds. Almost half of the accidents associated with the use of metal working machinery lead to hand injuries. Damage to hearing can result from woodworking machinery especially, where there are high noise levels (80-110 dB(A). Inhaling obstructive or harmful wood dust can have  future adverse effects on health.

Introducing a new machine into place.
An RI&E (risk assessment study) will precede the introduction of a new machine to consider  the risks involved with it’s placement. The introduction will include any necessary changes made as a  result of the evaluation.

The forms to fill out to request a RI&E can be found in this chapter (forms are in Dutch). It describes which standards and guidelines must be followed. There is also information provided over the necessary personal safety equipment (PBMs)

The final responsibility for the use of the machinery lies with the group leader. By considering an employee’s qualifications and experience and the job required to be done, it will be determined who works with what machinery.

Click on the FOM-ARBO logo on the right to read what FOM dictates about this subject.