Tips for controlling machinery risks

General rules

An example of a self-adjusting guard for a cut-off saw.

An example of a fixed enclosing guard.

Eliminate the risk—Wherever possible, you should try to eliminate the risk. An example of this would be eliminating the need for a worker to access the moving parts of machinery by automating the work process.

Minimise the risk—Where it is not possible to eliminate the risk, you should try to minimise it, for example by substituting a less hazardous machine or installing appropriate guarding in conjunction with administrative controls such as training in standard operating procedures.

Other things to consider:

Work procedures—Have safe work procedures been documented and implemented to ensure risks from plant are reduced?
Plant guarding—Is appropriate machine guarding in place? Are all guards correctly and securely fitted before anyone operates the machine?
Maintenance—Is plant regularly inspected, cleaned, maintained and serviced?
Training and supervision - Have workers been provided with adequate training on the safe use of plant and are they appropriately supervised?
Modification of plant—If plant has been modified is it safe? Has the plant been tested prior to use? Have workers been provided with information on safe use of the altered plant?
Electrical safety—Is electrical equipment tested and tagged? Have residual current devices been safely fitted?

Want further information?

Plant Code of Practice 2005
Guide to practical machine guarding (PDF, 737 KB)
Risk Management Code of Practice 2000 (formerly known as Risk Management Advisory Standard 2000).