Machinery Regulation 1950

For the better prevention of accidents this section must be observed.

In premises where mechanical power is used the occupier must, when required by an inspector, provide a loose pulley or pulleys to any machine or shafting driven by that power but an inspector must not require a loose pulley or pulleys to be provided—

for the starting of an engine, if it is equipped with self-starting apparatus, or is directly coupled or is so constructed as to be, in the opinion of the inspector, reasonably safe for the purpose of starting; or

if the load is connected with the driving pulley by a clutch.

In premises where mechanical power is used, the occupier, when directed by an inspector, must provide a belt shifter, or other safe mechanical contrivance approved by the inspector, for the purpose of throwing belts or pulleys on or off.

An occupier of premises, when directed by an inspector, must provide, for the service of any shafting that is moved by mechanical power and situated more than 2.40m above the floor level—

stagings, platforms or gangways of the design and construction, and in the position, approved by the inspector;

ladders of the design and construction approved by the inspector; and

belt hangers for the purpose of holding belts not in use clear of contact with any running machinery or mill-gearing.

A person throwing off a belt from a machine or mill-gearing must, if a belt hanger is provided, put the belt on the belt hanger.

An occupier of premises or a person in control of a person under 16 years old must not, when any mill gearing is in motion by mechanical power, permit the secondmentioned person to—

oil or grease any part of the mill-gearing; or

put on, put off, adjust, tighten or lace any belt or belting of the mill-gearing, or attempt to do so; or

go on or remain on any overhead staging erected for the purpose of serving the mill-gearing.

An occupier of premises where a person under 18 years old (the employee) is employed, or a person in control of an employee, must not permit the employee to—

be in charge of an engine; or

attend to an engine, unless the attention is given under the direct supervision of a competent person.

In a brewery or aerated water factory the occupier must—

provide all bottlers, corkers, wirers, sighters and labellers with the masks or veils, or faceguards, and the gauntlets, or handguards or armguards, approved by an inspector; and

cause all machines for bottling to be constructed and placed or fenced to prevent as far as possible, during the operation of filling or corking, a fragment of bursting bottle from striking any person.

A person must, when carrying out bottling or any other operation in the course of which explosions or breakages are likely to happen, continually wear the faceguard or handguards or armguards provided for the person.

An occupier of premises where machinery is operated by mechanical power, in which a person (the employee) is employed, or a person in charge of an employee, must not permit the employee to be employed at or near the machinery, or in a room where the employee may pass the machinery, while the employee is wearing flowing hair, or neck ribbons or laces or other similar loose articles of dress.

The occupier of premises where an emery wheel is used—

must cause it to be fenced or guarded as required by an inspector;

must not permit the emery wheel to be run at a higher speed than that indicated on it by the maker as the limit of safety; and

must not permit the emery wheel to be run before a door or other entrance.

An occupier of premises must cause all steam pipes, or pipes used for heating purposes, to be insulated or guarded, or fixed in such a position that a person would not come in contact with them in the ordinary course.

An occupier of premises where are carried on operations involving the conveyance, carrying or handling of molten metal, or of any hot or dangerous substance must provide properly constructed and designed pots or ladles for the purpose.

The occupier of premises where a boiler, vat or similar appliance designed to revolve or tilt is used must cause it to be fitted with mechanical catches or some other safe appliance to regulate its position.

The occupier of premises where is used a machine worked by manual or treadle power that is of such design and construction that its motion is materially assisted by the kinetic energy or momentum accumulated in its moving parts must, if an inspector directs, cause any cogwheel, flywheel, or other moving part of the machine to be fenced or guarded.

The occupier of premises where mechanical power is used must, if directed by an inspector, cause all set screws, pins, keys, coupling bolts and ends of spindles, if moved by that power, to be fenced or guarded, or countersunk, or cut off flush with the adjoining parts of the machinery or mill-gearing, or protected in the way the inspector approves.

The occupier of any premises where a fan moved by mechanical power is used must, if directed by an inspector, cause the fan to be protected with woven wire, or fenced, or guarded in the way the inspector approves.

The occupier of premises where machinery is moved by mechanical power must, if required by an inspector, maintain all main traffic ways at a width of not less than 1.20m and must keep all main traffic ways clear of materials, stock, or other obstructions.

The occupier of premises must maintain all passageways between machines or giving access to machines at a width of not less than 600mm.

The occupier of premises must not—

employ a person under 15 years old in working or assisting to work any machinery; or

employ a person under 18 years old, in cleaning any part of any machinery in motion.