28 June 2011
A new approved code of practice “The Safe Use of Woodworking Machinery” comes into force on the 1 July 2011.
The code applies to all woodworking machinery (other than hand held machines) used in workplaces, including carpentry and joinery workshops and on construction sites. The publication also includes additional advice to support the code.
Regulation 6
In recent years there have been a number of accidents to people using woodworking machinery which highlighted the deficiencies of Regulation 6 of the Machinery and Woodworking Machines (Jersey) Regulations, 1967. Regulation 6 is limited in its scope and does not reflect the current guarding standards for woodworking machinery. It is intended that this regulation will be revoked as a result of the approved code of practice coming into force.
Guidance
The introduction of the code has provided an opportunity to update and provide guidance on the use of all woodworking machinery, with additional guidance provided on specific categories of machines which are commonly used in Jersey. In addition, the code also provides guidance on the training, supervision and medical standards for operators and the control of health hazards arising from use of woodworking machinery.
Speaking about the introduction of the revised code, Colin Myers, Director of Health and Safety of the Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate commented:
“The use of woodworking machinery can, as accidents which have occurred demonstrate, be hazardous resulting in permanent injury to operators. There are also longer term health problems to operators to be considered, caused as a result of being exposed to hazardous dusts and noise.
By providing practical guidance, this approved code of practice will help to ensure that the hazards associated with the use of woodworking machinery are addressed and, as a result, help to ensure the health and safety of operators and meet the legal requirements under health and safety legislation.”
This code, which has been approved by the Minister for Social Security under Article 10 of the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law, 1989, has a special legal status enabling employers, employees and others with responsibility under health and safety legislation to be reassured that, in meeting the practical guidance set out under the code, they are doing all that they can to ensure that they are meeting their legal requirements.
Copies of the approved code of practice are available free of charge from the Health and Safety at Work Inspectorate.
Download the safe use of woodworking machinery ACoP (size 21kb)
gov.je