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Posted By Ian Stone
In our woodworking machine shop we have various bits of machinery such as planers, saws etc. Following a review of the risk assessment this year the section decided when finished with a macine to turn it off and isolate it by the mains switch on the wall next to the machine, this is because students had a habit of walking past a machine and turning it on for a laugh.
However we have got a load of new staff in the area this term and they dont agree with this procedure as it takes them extra time to tur the switch before starting the machine.
How do others deal with their machines? Would this be a common practice or over the top?
Many thanks
Ian
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Posted By Jonathan Breeze
Ian,
It would depend on the age of the students - but the actions you describe seem immature.
I'm surprised that with students present you do not take further measures e.g. the machines are not only isolated but also locked off and the key held by a responsible staff member.
What age are the students btw?
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Posted By Ian Stone
All the students are 18-85 depending on the courses they are on. I would say 99% are working and come in to train in specific skills. they are supervised at all times and all machinery is guarded. Its just the odd occasion they turn them on.
Ian
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Posted By Jonathan Breeze
Okay,
I was assuming the students were younger than you suggest.
Perhaps a better way would be to take the new staff members through the risk assessment process that helped you conclude that the plant should be isolated when not in use.
This will help them see where you are coming from and will enable them to discuss fully with you why they see it differently.
That way misconceptions can be challenged and an acceptable solution agreed.
Safe working practices should be an integral part of education and not just a tack on module.
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Posted By Stuart Nagle
Ian.
I agree. It is a sound decision to isolate when other persons have access, and that isolation is properly controlled through lockout.
How would it be if someone went to adjust a machine or alter it, believing it was isolated, to find someone who disagreed with the policy had not done so, the machine is started and... Opps, there goes a finger/hand/arm or worse.
Regards...
Stuart
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Posted By Merv Newman
Stuart,
a little chiding is perhaps due ?
No properly trained person would dream of adjusting/repairing/modifying/ a dangerous machine without having personally locked off the main starter and putting the unique key in his pocket ! (in addition to the traditional Tag, Clear and Try)
Really I agree with you - in our maintenance and enginering shops all machines were permanently locked out and only "licenced" employees were allowed to unlock them. With the licence came a key to the key box in which keys for individual machines were kept. These were used to start up and shut down. In case of intervention each licenced employee had his own, named, single-key padlock.
Presentation of the master key and the individual padlock were part of the "ceremony" held at the completion of training on safe machine operation : "You are now a trained, licenced operator and we are pleased to present you with the keys to our safe kingdom"
Pride, satisfaction, duty to others, responsibility for safe working.
And no @^|#& niggling at losing 30 seconds now and then to lock off a machine !
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Posted By Laurie
When I was interviwed for a job in FE I was asked what I thought was the worst H&S hazard in the college. I said the students, and I got the job!
No matter what the age they're mad, bad and dngerous to know.
Some of mine thought it a grand wheeze to turn a gas tap on before they left for the night!
Isolate and lock off, with key operated reset, available only to staff, and perhaps senior staff at that
Laurie
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Posted By Ian Stone
Thanks for all your replies. Im meeting with the head of department later today to discuss issues so will keep you all posted
Ian
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