I recently gave a talk at a health and safety event, where I discussed some of the key challenges and shortcuts involved in machinery safety and compliance. Whether you’re running a manufacturing business or responsible for ensuring the safety of equipment on the shop floor, there are a few critical areas that can make the compliance process more manageable and efficient.
In this post, we’ll walk through some of the important legislation, strategies for risk assessment, and practical steps that can help ensure machinery is both safe and legally compliant.
Understanding Key Legislation: CE Marking and PUWER
Two major pieces of legislation shape how businesses approach machinery safety: CE marking and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations). These requirements are essential for both manufacturers who are placing machinery on the market and businesses that operate machinery in-house.
- CE Marking: This is a key requirement if you are manufacturing, building equipment for “own use” or importing machinery to be sold. CE marking indicates that the equipment meets the necessary safety, health, and environmental protection standards in line with the European Machinery Directive. Even though the UK has introduced the UKCA mark post-Brexit, CE marking remains accepted in the UK, which helps streamline compliance for many businesses.
- PUWER: If your business is operating machinery, PUWER applies directly to you. This regulation ensures that the equipment used in the workplace is safe, well-maintained, and properly managed. It places the responsibility on business owners to assess risks and take steps to reduce hazards, protecting both the equipment operators and those working around the machinery.
Streamlining Compliance Through Smart Purchasing
For manufacturers, one of the most effective ways to streamline compliance with safety regulations is to purchase CE-marked machinery. While this may seem like an obvious step, it’s worth noting that not all CE-marked equipment is created equal. Many companies mistakenly assume that machinery from certain countries is lower quality or less compliant based on stereotypes. However, this isn’t always true.
In fact, machinery from the U.S. can sometimes be less compliant with safety standards than equipment sourced from China, despite common assumptions to the contrary. The key takeaway here is to go beyond the surface-level reputation of a supplier and scrutinise the machinery for its actual compliance and quality.
Purchasing well-scrutinised, CE-marked equipment can address up to 90% of the compliance requirements under PUWER, making the job of the health and safety manager much easier. This reduces the likelihood of a long list of non-compliance issues being flagged during risk assessments and limits the need for costly engineering fixes or modifications later on.
The key here is that businesses should be mindful of what they are purchasing, ensuring the machinery aligns with relevant safety regulations before it even arrives on site. This proactive approach can save both time and resources in the long run.
Improving Risk Assessment with Harmonised Standards
Risk assessments are a fundamental part of machinery safety, but they can often become subjective, leading to inconsistencies in how risks are rated. Many businesses default to using risk matrices like 3×3 or 5×5 grids, where each hazard is rated based on its likelihood and potential impact. While this method can work, it often leaves room for debate and subjectivity. For instance, different team members may rate the same hazard differently based on personal judgement, leading to lengthy discussions that don’t always result in more accurate assessments.
A more objective and reliable approach is to use harmonised standards. These are internationally recognised safety benchmarks specific to different types of machinery and equipment. By incorporating harmonised standards into the risk assessment process, businesses can ensure their evaluations are based on proven industry guidelines rather than individual opinions.
For example, when assessing the safety of conveyor belts, harmonised standards would outline the specific hazards associated with that type of equipment, along with the appropriate control measures. This provides a clear framework for conducting risk assessments and ensures that safety measures are both consistent and thorough.
Harmonised standards also help businesses avoid costly mistakes. Rather than spending time debating the level of risk associated with each hazard, companies can follow established guidelines that have already been vetted by industry experts. This makes the entire risk assessment process more efficient and reliable, while also helping to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
CE Marking vs. UKCA: The Current Landscape
The introduction of UKCA as a replacement for CE marking following Brexit initially caused confusion within the industry. Many businesses were unsure whether they would need to transition to the new UKCA mark for machinery sold or operated within the UK. However, the UK government has since indefinitely accepted CE marking for all machinery, which means businesses can continue to use and sell it without worrying about switching to UKCA.
This has been a positive development for many companies, as it allows them to maintain compliance with both UK and EU regulations without introducing unnecessary complexity. UKCA, while still technically in place, is now mostly used for marketing purposes or in specific niche cases where a business may want to highlight its UK compliance. For most companies, CE marking remains the standard, allowing for seamless trade and compliance across borders.
Putting Compliance into Practice
Understanding the relevant legislation and improving risk assessment processes is just the start. For businesses operating or manufacturing machinery, there are several practical steps that can further streamline compliance and improve safety outcomes.
- Conduct regular machinery audits: Periodically reviewing all machinery to ensure it meets current safety standards can prevent issues from arising later on. This is especially important if equipment is modified or new machinery is introduced.
- Incorporate harmonised standards into procurement: Make sure your procurement team is aware of the harmonised standards that apply to the types of machinery you use or sell. This ensures that any new equipment meets the necessary benchmarks from the start.
- Train staff on compliance: Educating your staff about the importance of compliance and safety standards can help foster a culture of safety within your business. Make sure that health and safety managers, procurement teams, and equipment operators are all aligned on what compliance entails.
- Use external expertise where necessary: For businesses that lack in-house compliance expertise, it’s often worth bringing in external consultants to conduct audits, provide risk assessments, or guide teams through the compliance process.
Conclusion
Navigating machinery safety and compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding key legislation like CE marking and PUWER, utilising harmonised standards, and taking a proactive approach to risk assessments, businesses can significantly reduce the risks associated with machinery use. Knox Thomas provides tailored solutions that help streamline this process, offering expert assessments and practical guidance to ensure that machinery is safe, compliant, and operating efficiently.
Whether you’re looking to ensure the safety of your production line or navigate complex compliance regulations, the right approach can make all the difference. By staying informed and applying best practices, businesses can create a safer working environment and avoid costly mistakes down the line.
