Posted By Darren (Daz) Fraser Hi all Have a total mental block at the moment. Situation is as follows New piece of machinery on site, will be installed within the next week, with promised production start in following week. I have requested that a RA be completed prior to production, can be at the training stage. Have been asked to justify, as some are under the impression that it is the installers responsibility, and RA not needed for 6 months. Please could someone give reg requirement and cases where this have not taken place, as I am pulling my hair out (which for a baldy like me, is difficult to say the least, unless it is not on the head), and will need background evidence when stop production if RA not done. Many thanks Daz

Posted By John A Wright The regulation that applies is PUWER Provison of Work Equipment. I can see there is some confusion regarding the installers. Yes, they are providing you with equipment, but your comapnay are also providing equipment for your employees to use, so both you and the installers have responsibilities with regard to PUWER. A PUWER assessment is recommended, one which goes through each aspect of the regulation. Your assessment should determione if the equipment is suitable for purpose and will be suitably located. It needs a proper initial inspection. Training of operators needs to be arranged and recorded. Identify dangerous parts (including those that are guarded) determine any unsafe conditions, any possible operator contact with dangerous parts, determine if any bi-products or ejected material is dealt with safely. Determine if any hot or cold surfaces. Are the controls identified on/off/e-stops, are there appropriate safety notices, warning signs, PPE. Is there adequate electrical isolation and lock-out tag-out system. There are other considerations (there are at least 24 parts of the regulation) which both manufacturer/installer and end-user must consider. There is a guide here http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg291.pdf John W

Posted By Chris Packham Ask those in your organisation how they would explain to the HSE inspector in the event of an accident shortly after start-up that they had relied upon the supplier for the risk assessment and had not planned to do their own for six months. I doubt whether he or she would respond very favourably. Also I doubt in the event of a compensation claim whether the court would accept their argument. Chris