C3 EXAMPLE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR WOODWORKING Company name: The Woodworking Company Date of risk assessment: 28/09/07 IMPORTANT REMINDER This example risk assessment shows the kind of approach a small business might take. Use it as a guide to think through some of the hazards in your business and the steps you need to take to control the risks. Please note that it is not a generic risk assessment that you can just put your company name on and adopt wholesale without any thought. This would not satisfy the law – and would not be effective in protecting people. Every business is different – you need to think through the hazards and controls required in your business for yourself. Source HSE What are the hazards? Who might be harmed and how? What are you already doing? What further action is necessary? Action by who? Action by when? Done Exposure to wood dust Staff risk lung diseases, such as asthma, from inhaling wood dust. Hardwood dust can cause cancer, particularly of the nose. Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) provided at machines and staff are trained in using it properly. Bricklayers’ supervisor to check with the site manager that the correct scaffold is provided and inspected. LEV maintained to keep it in good condition and working effectively LEV inspected every 14 months by a competent person. Wood dust cleared up using a suitable vacuum cleaner, fitted with an appropriate filter. Suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE) as well as LEV for very dusty jobs, and staff trained in how to use it. Staff do health surveillance questionnaire before starting, then annually. affected staff referred to a medical professional. Remind staff of the risks of wood dust, and why these controls are necessary. Manager 7/10/07 1/10/07 Remind never to dry sweep wood dust, which just spreads the dust around. Manager 7/10/07 1/10/07 Machinery Staff risk serious and possibly fatal cut injuries following contact with moving parts of machinery, particularly saw blades. All machines guarded according to manufacturers’ instructions. Guards inspected regularly and maintained as necessary to ensure their good condition. have sufficient space at machines to work safely. Staff monitored by manager to ensure guards always used. All trained in safe use of machines by a Download information sheets on the safe use of the machines used in the workshop from HSE website and pin them up in mess room. Manager 4/10/07 1/1/07
competent person. machines braked and fitted with necessary safety features, eg chip limited tooling etc. Manual Handling Staff may suffer musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain, from handling heavy/bulky objects, eg timber boards and machinery parts. Also risk cuts when handling tooling, or splinters when handling pallets. Staff trained in manual handling. Workbenches and machine tables set at a comfortable height. Strong, thick gloves provided for handling tooling and pallets. Panel trolley and lifting hooks available for moving boards. of work in place for the safe and careful handling of assembled furniture. possible, store tooling next to the machine to reduce carrying distance Manager 30/10/07 29/10/07 Remind staff to ask for a new set of gloves when old ones show wear and tear, and not to try to lift objects that appear too heavy. Manager 4/4/07 4/4/07 Noise Staff and others may suffer temporary or permanent hearing damage from exposure to noise from woodworking machinery. Noise enclosures used where practicable, and maintained in good condition. Low-noise tooling used where possible. Planned maintenance programme for machinery and LEV systems. Suitable hearing protectors provided for and staff trained how to use them. Check and maintain them according to advice given by supplier. Staff trained in risks of noise exposure. Staff trained in systems of work to reduce noise exposure (eg suitable feed rates for certain jobs, timber control etc). Consider if certain machines could be safely mounted on anti-vibration mountings Manager 30/10/07 29/10/07 Include noise emission in specification for new vertical spindle moulder, to be purchased next year. Manager 30/10/07 29/10/07 Vehicles Staff may suffer serious, possibly fatal, injuries if struck by a vehicle such as a lift truck or a delivery lorry. Fork-lift truck maintained and inspected as per lease contract. Lift truck operated only by staff who have been trained to use it. Pedestrian walkways marked. ■ Only authorised people allowed in yard for deliveries/dispatch. Ensure drivers get out of their vehicle and stand in a safe area while it is being loaded/unloaded. Manager and all other staff 31/10/07 15/10/07
Slips, trips and falls Staff could suffer injuries such as bruising or fractures if they trip over objects, or slip, eg on spillages, and fall. ■ Generally good housekeeping – off-cuts cleared away promptly, dust cleared regularly etc. ■ Staff wear strong safety shoes that have a good grip. ■ Good lighting in all areas. staff to clear up spillages of wax or polish immediately, even very spillages. Manager 31/10/07 15/10/07 Electrical Staff could get electrical shocks or burns from using faulty electrical equipment, eg machinery, or a faulty installation. Electrical faults can also lead to fires. ■ Residual current device (RCD) built into main switchboard. ■ Staff trained to spot and report any defective plugs, discoloured sockets or damaged cable/equipment to manager. ■ No personal electrical appliances, eg toasters or fans, allowed. landlord when the next safety check of the electrical installation will be done. Company secretary 31/10/07 15/10/07 ■ Confirm with landlord the system for making safe any damage to building installation electrics, eg broken light switches or sockets. Company secretary 31/10/07 15/10/07 Work at height Falls from any height can cause bruising and fractures. ■ Strong stepladder, in good condition, provided. Only trained, authorised allowed to work at height. ■ Condition of stepladder to be checked periodically. Manager 30/10/07 As required Fire If trapped, staff could suffer fatal injuries from smoke inhalation/burns. ■ Fire risk assessment done, see www.communities.gov.uk/fire and necessary action taken. the actions identified as necessary by the fire risk assessment are completed. Manager From now C3 Example Woodwork risk assessment