Free guide: machine guarding for waste management and recycling

The new guide starts with statistics that show very clearly the need for further improvements in health and safety, and it goes on to discuss areas where guarding may be necessary - including conveyors. It also explains some of the other benefits machine guarding can deliver, such as dust and fume control.

By explaining the regulatory framework, the guide shows that machine guarding is a legal requirement, not optional, and the author explains which sets of regulations apply to machine suppliers and site operators.

A very helpful section of the guide lists the relevant machinery safety standards, and explains the difference between A-type, B-type and C-type standards that are harmonised to the Machinery Directive.

Next, there is a discussion of risk assessment and risk reduction, and then the guide moves on to cover topics that will be of interest to organisations considering designing or specifying machine guarding - such as materials of construction, how the machines are operated and maintained, the important implications of using fixed and movable guards, access controls and frequency of access.

While the main thrust of the guide is on machine guarding, it also has sections discussing safe systems of work and working at height. Towards the end, the 17-page guide presents lists of useful resources and sources of further information.

About the author

Steve Allen CMSE is a Member of BSI's standards committee MCE/3 (Safeguarding of machinery), is a Certified Machinery Safety Expert (TÜV NORD) and is National Sales Manager at Procter Machine Safety. In addition to his detailed knowledge of machinery safety standards, Steve Allen also benefits from over 30 years' experience of their practical application.

Follow the link to download a PDF copy of new Guide to machine guarding for the waste management and recycling industry from Procter Machine Safety.