Use of work equipment
- A work equipment is a machine, device, installation, means of transport, tool or other means used for work.
- Before using the work equipment, the worker must be trained and instructed in safety to the extent necessary
- The safety instructions must include the measures to be taken to ensure the safety of the user and other persons permitted in the working environmen
About work equipment
A work equipment is a machine, device, installation, means of transport, tool or other means used for work. The use of work equipment must not endanger health and the working and living environment. Use means operating, starting, stopping, transporting, moving, installing, repairing, adjusting, maintaining and cleaning the equipment.
Most accidents at work involving the use of work equipment occur when the worker comes into contact with its dangerously moving parts, such as cuts from a saw blade, milling blade and pinching of fingers between the gears. Any contact with dangerously moving parts of the work equipment must be avoided. For this purpose, guards and guard locks are used, which stop the operation of the dangerously moving part when the guard is removed. Any exposure of the worker to the danger zone must be prevented. Be sure not to remove or disengage the guards or automatic locks. Before using the work equipment, the worker must be trained and instructed in safety to the extent necessary.
Safety instruction
Safety instruction must include:
- information on the hazards and hazardous situations which are or may be associated with the use of the work equipment and the experience gained from its use;
- the measures to be taken to ensure the safety of the user and other persons permitted in the working environment;
- information on high-risk work equipment at or near the workplace;
- information on any changes in the working environment which increase the hazards of the work equipment used by or near the worker;
- instructions for action in the event of an accident.
It must be possible to conduct maintenance of the work equipment when it is stopped and not operating. If stopping is not possible, the necessary protective measures must be taken and means must be used to ensure that the work is carried out safely, preferably outside the danger area.
The employee is obliged to use the work equipment properly, to refrain from arbitrarily disconnecting, modifying or removing the safety devices installed on the work equipment and to use these devices in accordance with the requirements. The employer must be notified of any malfunction or defect in the work equipment that occurs during its use.
Work equipment requirements
There are a number of requirements in the European Union for many devices and machines, which are also work equipment. When purchased, the work equipment must be accompanied by a declaration of conformity, instructions for use and the CE marking. The conformity mark is affixed to the machine by the issuer of the declaration of conformity, thus confirming the conformity of the equipment with the Equipment Safety Act or the Machinery Directive. The employer shall be less concerned when entrusting the employee with an item of work equipment that meets the necessary requirements . All work equipment must be adapted to the requirements for safe use. No exceptions are made here, regardless of whether the equipment was manufactured during the Soviet era or in recent years.