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Risk Assessment: Power Tools
Revision Date: 2019-02-28
Assessors: Andrew Smithson, Jim Allanson
Scope: This risk assessment is to cover general use of Power Tools at Teesside Hackspace by members, visitors, or any other people who may enter the space.
Hazard | Who might be harmed and how? | Control measures | Action, by whom and due date |
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Incorrect use from lack of understanding. | Members and those visiting the space may be injured by incorrect use of a power tool | - Training in the form of a signed off induction - Untrained members of visitors only to use equipment under the supervision of a trained member. - Trained user to inspect condition of tools before use. |
Signage on power tools to state induction needed. By Andy Smithson due 2019-03-28 |
Projectiles from debris, including possible eye injury. | Members and those visiting the space may be hit by debris created by power tools. | - Use built in guards as much as practicable - Light eye protection mandatory for all non battery mains powered tools. - Eye protections signs up in relevant areas - Eye protection available close to the machines. |
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Pillar Drill: hazard of chuck key becoming a projectile. | Members and those visiting the space may be hit by chuck key | - Never have a chuck key in without your hand on the key, i.e. you use the key then remove it, you dont let go as then you might forget/ get distracted and start the drill with the key in . | |
Pillar Drill: Damage to hand or wrist from item being drilled. | Members and those visiting the space may damage their hand or wrist as a result of the item being drilled snagging. | Items to be clamped in situ before drilling with the pillar drill. | |
Cuts | Members and visitors on open sessions may get cuts on from cutting bits | - Sharp tools/ cutting bits to be stowed in a way that they don't present a risk of cuts. - First aid kit available |
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Serious cuts from table saw | Members and visitors may get serious cut from spinning blade on table saw | - No loose items (eg dangling drawstrings from hoodie) when using table saw - No fingers/ other body parts within 30cm of the blade when spinning, kickback can happen. - Use such that the emergency stop is always within easy reach |
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Dust / inhalation. | Potential for members and visitors to breath dust from woodcutting. | - Industrial vacuum to be connected and running when using the table saw. - Users to clean up >110% after using power tools - The dust quantity is limited by the space being for small ‘one off’ type builds not production. |
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Hearing damage | Members and visitors subjected to loud noises from power tools. | Ear protection not requirement as time weighted average is low for the nature of work anticipated to be done. Continuous use typically less than few minutes at a time, and for no more than total of 3 hours in given 8 hour period. Ear protection available if excessive work being done or if the user wishes to wear them. | |
Risk of injury going unnoticed. | Members working in the space alone may injure themselves when no one else is there to assist. | - Member to establish their own measures of ‘checking in’ eg having a contact (eg friend / relative) know when they are there alone and regularly establish contact. - Member to restrict activities that they consider risky when working alone. |
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Sprains, strains, back injury. | Members or those involved in moving large wood could suffer sprains, strains or back injury. | - Keep work area tidy, even though it may mean moving other people's things or tidying other people's mess. - Members to follow best practice, e.g. use multiple people for heavy (>20kg depending on the person) or awkward loads. Plan route before starting a lift. Avoid sudden movements. |
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Various hazards associated with alcohol consumption | Members and visitors, could face various hazards associated with alcohol consumption | Hackspace rules state “Don't be drunk in the space. If you're over the legal limit for driving avoid powered tools or anything sharp”. |