Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By JimE
Hello folks,
I am doing a SOP for machine operators cutting abrasive sponges on bandsaws. There has never been a reported case of grit getting in eyes but I felt better safe than sorry and added safety glasses to the P.P.E. The operators and have all "ganged up" (the little bullies) and said they don't think safety glasses are needed. I tend to agree as there seems to be no significant risk. Should I remove the glasses or insist on them?Any help would be appreciated.
JimE
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Mitch
I have and would never operate a vertical? bandsaw without eye protection even going back to the dark ages of my apprenticeship, before adequate H&S, abrasives (sponges or not) abrade, the blade will wear, what if it snaps (the weal spot is normally on the welded joint) or shatters
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Robert.
Yes. there is a risk of eye injury from particulates and unless you can't engineer it out then I would insist on some form of eye PPE.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By mike morland
Unless they can come up with a more valid reason for not wearing them like not being able to see the blade rather than they don't think they are needed then stick with your decision.
The fact that no-one has had an eye injury to date is not a reason either as your decision is being proactive rather than reactive.
How many times do we read of companies being fined for not evaluating the risks even though RA's have been conducted.
We have a guy who is deaf in one ear but I still make him wear both ear plugs when he is in the hearing protection zone.
Don't wait for the first one to have an eye injury just to prove your point.
Regards
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Peter Still
Jim,
More information is needed! Presumably these are vertical bandsaws? Is there dust extraction that would tend to pull abrasive particles away from the operator?
Bandsaws don't usually throw particles back at the operator. If that is likely a perspex shield might be more acceptable than safety glasses.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By JimE
Many thanx once again respondants.It's always difficult to stand by ones guns when alone with such a small gun but you people give me the confidence to do it.
Thanx
JimE
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By JimE
Peter,
Yes they are vertical bandsaws with extraction with perspex covers between the sponge and the operator, which may be why no injuries have been reported. The blades do snap on some machines, especially cutting very coarse grit but again there has never been a reorted accident/incident involving one.
JimE
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By R Joe
I've got to ask, is this really sensible H&S in action? Would it be worth going back to the Protection of Eyes Regs 1974 as they were for a bit of guidance on this. What you describe was not a 'specified process' then and from what you're saying about the level of risk, it doesn't appear to warrant eye protection now. Are you in danger of devaluing where PPE IS needed based on the risk, besides which, being 'able to see the blade' of a bandsaw is pretty important I would have thought.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By garyh
Surely, before you produce a "SOP" you need to do a risk assessment?
Do this (as a team!) involving the worker(s) and then produce your SOP (ie SSOW??)
If you use things such as ACOPs, industry best practice, and follow the risk assessment process, the team cannot fail to come up with the right answer - so how could they argue?
Most workshops I have been in have a rule that LEP (safety specs)is standard PPE inside the shop; you never know when flying swarf, broken drills bits or saw blades etc can possibly fly about.
Hope this helps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Peter Still
I'm with Joe on this one. Save the safety glasses for where they might do some good. A snapped blade should be retained within the guard if set closely enough, and extraction should take care of any particles.
Actually the particles are probably a greater risk of respiratory harm than the potential for eye impact.
The greatest risk on most bandsaw applications is contact with the balde, and it certainly helps to avoid contact if you can see it!
gary, surely a rule that LEP is standard inside a workshop is not "risk assessment". If broken bits or blades, or swarf, can fly about then there is something seriously wrong with the machinery.
Peter
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By garyh
When did I say that the rule for LEP is a risk assessment? PPE should be a (last resort) control measure arising from the risk assessment process. End of.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.