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Machinery separation distances - assistance request
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#1 Posted : 24 March 2009 13:29:00(UTC)
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Posted By SNS Hi, My latest question is on machinery separation distances. I cannot find any 'set' distances in PUWER for woodworking or metalworking machines. All I can find is at Regulation 4, which indicates that 'Sufficient' space for safe use must be available. We are relocating a workshop and need to use the space available to best effect, currently planning to use 'shared' separation zones with only one machine being in use at any one time. Does anyone have any direction towards a set distance or regulation which will apply please. Regards, S
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#2 Posted : 24 March 2009 19:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By TonyB Hi SNS You won't find any - unless your talking about distance guarding (which I don't think you are). Sufficient mean just that. Take a circular saw. If its used to cut small (6") pieces of timber then a couple of metres should be enough at the work side. However, if you a cutting full lengths, then you may need 5 meters at the working and exit ends. It all depends what you using the equipment for. Hope it helps, Tony.
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#3 Posted : 24 March 2009 23:15:00(UTC)
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Posted By SNS Many thanks. Thats what we thought - probably based on the change from prescriptive regulations such as the factories Act to the HASAWA being a risk assessed based system. Just hope we don't change the pattern sizes too often :) Regards, S
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#4 Posted : 30 March 2009 13:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By Martin J Morley S, Just catching up on the foreum and found your request. It may not all be quite what you wanted, but the site at http://www.teachernet.go...y/2_standard.cfm?id=4059 has drawings of most common workshop machines. The drawings show the areas needed around the machines and where they can occasionally overlap. regards, martin
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#5 Posted : 30 March 2009 13:46:00(UTC)
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Posted By peter gotch Hi SNS. The old prescriptive legislation had lots of varying standards, with not a lot of apparent logic as to the differences! P
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#6 Posted : 30 March 2009 16:56:00(UTC)
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Posted By Fred Pratley Can't quote you the exact British Standard, but there is/used to be one called "minimum distance to avoid crushing parts of the body" or something along those lines. As I recall there must be a minimum 19" (500mm)between the end of travel between machines. Don't think a "shared" gap is advisable
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#7 Posted : 30 March 2009 17:06:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jay Joshi Another factor to be considered is clearances required for maintenance/repairs
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