The new regulations are being brought into force as part of the General Application Regulations. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2016 (SI 36/2016) introduce three new parts and two new schedules to the General Application Regulations:
- Part 11: Woodworking Machines
- Part 12: Abrasive Wheels
- Part 13: Abrasive Blasting of Surfaces
- Schedule 13: Woodworking Machines
- Schedule 14: Training and Instruction.
The new regulations repeal the:
- Factories (Woodworking Machinery) Regulations 1972 (SI 203/1972)
- Factories (Abrasive Blasting of Surfaces) Regulations 1974 (SI 357/1974)
- Safety in Industry (Abrasive Wheels) Regulations 1982 (SI 30/1982).
WOODWORKING MACHINES REGULATIONS
The new regulations include definitions and cover space around machines, guarding and protection, maintenance of machines, dust, circular sawing machines, band sawing machines, planing machines and vertical spindle machines. The full list of machines is set out in schedule 13. There are provisions on training, instruction and information.
ABRASIVE WHEELS REGULATIONS
The new regulations include definitions. The regulations apply to the use of any abrasive wheel for grinding or cutting at a place of work. The regulations deal with the use of abrasive wheels, speed of revolution, mounting of abrasive wheels and guarding and rests for workplaces and flanges. Schedule 14 deals with training and instruction.
ABRASIVE BLASTING OF SURFACES REGULATIONS
Again the regulations include definitions. The regulations apply to all places of work in which blasting is done, with the exception of blasting enclosures for cleaning of castings, , enclosures, blasting apparatus and ventilating plant. The regulations provide for the provision of blasting apparatus, enclosures, ventilating plant. The regulations include rules on the prohibition of silica, the protection of employees and other persons and also of persons under 18.
Click here to obtain a copy of the new regulations:
GAR 2007-2016 Woodworking-Abrasive Wheels – Abrasive Blasting Regulations
WELCOME
Following the enactment of the new regulations, the General Application Regulations will in future be cited as the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations 2007 to 2016. Both the HSA and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation are to be congratulated on bringing in the regulations as part of the General Application Regulations. It is a welcome easing of the administrative burden, without impacting on the protection of workers.
Courtesy – Health & Safety Review