If you plan to purchase new machinery or equipment this may change the way you work and the people involved. This may also result in changes to safeworking procedures and additional safety training will be required. Do not hesitate to contact us for advice.
Manufacturers have to comply with the law in supplying machinery that is safe – for both health and safety.
It should be:
CE marked,
come with a declaration of conformity
and instructions in English.
When buying equipment ‘Users’ are responsible for checking that it comes with these three requirements and is also free from any obvious defect – e.g. missing guards and that it is suitable to do the job in your workplace.
When buying ‘off the shelf’ you can do this by considering :-
where and how it will be used;
what it will be used for;
who will use it (skilled employees, trainees etc.);
what risks to health and safety might result from its use; and
how well health and safety risks are controlled by different manufacturers,
comparing things such as noise or vibration levels produced.
After purchase you must ensure that it is used safely and is adequately maintained.
If buying a custom built machine you will need to work closely with manufacturers to ensure the above.
The Takeaway message here it to let your Safewell Retained Health and Safety Adviser know if you plan to, or have purchased any new equipment or machinery. We can then advise if there are any changes to risk assessments, safe working procedures and staff training.
Call them, email them or use the contact form to the right or below.
We have worked with Safewell for many years and are retained clients, so we have developed an excellent working relationship with the team. However, this really came into its own when Covid 19 appeared.
As a Plumbing and Heating business, we were able to carry on working during the lockdown but only for responding to emergencies. We were obviously very concerned about the health and safety of our employees and before we even had chance to get in touch with Safewell, they had emailed us offering their assistance. It is hard to put down on paper how that made us feel - we like everyone else felt totally at sea, which way to turn, what to do? But Safewell were there guiding, supporting and being totally brilliant. Their attention to detail is very impressive and reassuring and we feel able to ask lots of questions without feeling silly.
During the pandemic Safewell helped us to write risk assessments, safety procedures and protocols. They kept in touch regularly, issuing new guidance as soon as it appeared and checking in with us. They held group Q&A sessions over Zoom which were helpful, and knowing other businesses were facing the same challenges and having the opportunity to discuss issues was invaluable. Their help during the preparation for a full return to work was brilliant, they enabled us to be fully prepared and feel in control, and when we had our first case of Covid within the team, because we had planned our response it felt ok.
I think our team felt very reassured by our robust approach and that our office was Covid secure. We are extremely grateful to all the team at Safewell
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