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Posted By Decimomal
Can anybody advise on the requirement (if any)to retro fit guards to large industrial/commercial catering mixing machines?
I know that modern machines have guards fitted but I am not sure on the requirement with regards to the older ones.
There is a thread on this to 2003 but I guess things have moved on since then!
Many thanks.
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Posted By Bob Youel
a simple R A will indicate that they need to be guarded - I have looked at loads of this type of situation and suppliers would rather you invested in new kit than try to source guards on their own
if you just wait until your companies next round of replacements then you may have to wait a long time with a high risk present
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Posted By Boh
Had issues on these with Diosna style mixers, could be operated when lifted up also for cleaning posing an entaglement risk.
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Posted By Decimomal
Thank you for the replies; my research so far leads me to believe that old machinery and equipment that has been brought into use after 1st January 1996 is regarded as new and that employers are responsible for ensuring that it meets the legal requirements for new equipment in the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992.
Given that the above is correct how would one go about getting the required guards?
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Posted By Ian Stone
I looked into this a few years ago and in the end contacted the manufacturers who came down and retro fitted guards at a very reasonable price
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Posted By Stuff4blokes
Decimonal, Reg 11 of PUWER '98 is very specific: employers must prevent access to dangerous machinery parts and there is a hierarchy that has fixed guards and interlocked guards as the top two measures "where practicable"
Therefore if a guarding solution exists, you are obliged to use it.
The company that supplies or maintains your equipment should be your first point of enquiry, failing which there are a few respected specialist machine guarding companies that can be found on 'tinternet.
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Posted By Decimomal
Thanks 'Stuff'always grateful for a response.
I am aware of Reg 11 but am trying to relate it to equipment that was initally designed without a guard, but where more modern machines do have a guard.
I guess that when it comes down to it that it the enforcement officer that has the last say.
Any enforcement officers out there with experience of this scenario?
Many thanks.
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Posted By Stuff4blokes
Decimonal, I wasn't trying to be smart. My point is that if a top-tier solution exists then you have no choice but to adopt it, regardless of the age of the machine. There are certainly many mixers in use that are unguarded but in the event of an injury caused by a moving part, it is my opinion that there is no chance of a full defence, either to a prosecution or civil claim. A magistrate is unlikely to be sympathetic to "but it would have cost £xxx and stopped production for a few hours"
The same situation applies to most industrial sectors: woodworking, metalworking, pharmaceuticals etc.
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Posted By Decimomal
Hello again Stuff,
I really did try to word my previous response so that it would not appear critical - I guess it didn't work. (You cannot really beat the spoken word). You were not being smart at all and I apologise if that was the way my response came accross.I seem to have an ongoing problem with foot in mouth and must work on it!
What I am looking for is the top tier solution that you refer to and I think I am there now.
You raise an interesting point in your reference to a Magistrate being unlikely to be sympathetic etc, and one and which could open up a whole new debate - perhaps left to another day methinks.
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Posted By peter gotch
Hi Decimomal
There was HSE guidance on the guarding of various types of food mixer published well before anyone even though about a Work Equipment Directive and PUWER.
I led the development of two training videos for HSE Inspectors on the subject of bakery machinery safety (one for small bakeries, one for plant bakeries)which were distributed around HSE offices in about 1986 to help Inspectors enforce e.g. Section 14 of the Factories Act 1961 - roughly the equivalent of PUWER Reg 11.
So, I'm with other respondents - retrofit or invest in new machinery.
Regards, Peter
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Posted By Decimomal
Thanks Peter, and everybody else.
Retro fit it is then I think.
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Posted By Juan Carlos Arias
I have some info in the subject that might be relevant. It is for mixers in the baking industry. e-mail me direct.
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