Hi,

We have recently purchased an Ideal 4815 guillotine for cutting paper (office environment) and while I have read the PUWER ACOP and the HSE "safe use of power-operated paper cutting guillotines" I am unsure whether the extent of the checks / inspections (daily / monthly / 6 month) would apply? My thought process behind this is that the guidance feels like it is more for industrial environments with bigger machines.

Gut feeling is that some level of inspections and checks are needed, but just wondered if anyone else out there has experience of the this type of machinery in an office environment?

Thanks

Whilst your device may not be the same scale as those described in the ACOP it is a powered blade and it relies upon an interlocked guard to keep the operator safe.

Checking the interlock operates before use, after blade change and at service (Table 1) is a must (the latter two in case the switch is damaged).

I take it this machine is not for significant use in which case the industrial application described in the ACOP would as you say appear OTT.

We have a larger guillotine which used to operate daily but can now go for months without use - we don't power up just to conduct checks but do ensure a thorough pre-use inspection before processing any orders.

If it's big enough to cut your hands off in the event that the interlock is faulty then, yes, I would apply every check necessary.  You'd be hard pushed to put your whole body in it, but you don't need to put your whole body in to have a life changing accident.

Check and check again. 

Thanks.

Just checked and a service contract is in place, which will encompass regular checks by a competent person.

Edited by user 30 August 2019 11:18:30(UTC)  | Reason: spelling competent as component