ABSTRACT
Employers and the self-employed must ensure that work equipment is suitable, maintained, inspected if necessary, provided with adequate information, instruction and only used by people who have received sufficient training. Hair or clothing can become entangled in moving parts, people can be struck by moving parts of machinery, parts of the body can be drawn into or trapped in machinery, and/or parts of the machinery or work tool can be ejected. When work equipment is provided it has to be suitable for its purpose and conform to standards which cover its supply as a new or second-hand piece of equipment and its use in the workplace. Under ‘user’ law, employers have to provide safe equipment of the correct type, ensure that it is correctly used and maintain it in a safe condition. If buying a more complex or custom-built machine the buyer should discuss their requirements with potential suppliers.
