Hi, there is currently some discussion within our company on whether some rotating drive shafts should have guards over them or not. The drive shafts are purely the drive shaft ends (rotating shafts themselves are completely within the machinery) that are round, smooth and rotate freely and do not emerge more then 10cm from the machinery. They do not have any bolts, holes or keyways in them and they are of a reasonably slow rotation. Although the risk is very low due to the location of a lot of these, there is still the risk of entanglement so we are looking at setting out a company approach on this to avoid confusion. Therefore I am looking for some guidance relating to this I have found some American guidance but nothing definitive for the UK as everything is a little "hazy" so if anyone can point me in the right direction I would be grateful. Many thanks

Loww, if you need a copy of the ACoP it is free, here http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/l22.pdf John

If there is a possibility of entanglement then I would suggest guarding it as per PUWER requirements. I would also be tempted (if possible/practicable) to paint or mark the rotating end in some way so as to indicate that it is moving/rotating when the machine is running.