Machinery Checklist
GeneralYes / No1 / Floors clear of obstructions/slipping/tripping risk?
2 / Electrical cables/sockets, etc, free from visible defects?
3 / Extract ventilation provided on machinery especially sanders?
4 / Machines always isolated prior to adjustments?
5 / Worktables where used, smooth and free from obstructions?
6 / Readily accessible emergency stop buttons, where necessary?
7 / Safe working speed displayed (where possible) on the machine?
8 / Machine (except portable machines) firmly secured to the floor or bench?
9 / Braking devices fitted where appropriate?
Circular Saws
10 / Crown guard set as close as practicable to material being cut?
11 / Crown guard rigidly positioned and strong?
12 / Saw beneath bench fully enclosed?
13 / Riving knife strong and rigid?
14 / Sides of riving knife smooth and flat?
15 / Riving knife securely fixed below the machine table?
16 / Riving knife positioned directly behind and in line with the saw blade?
17 / Riving knife shaped so that the inner edge of the riving knife follows as closely as practicable the contours of the largest saw blade designed to be used on the machine?
18 / Riving knife adjustment correct for blade? (gap between knife and blade no bigger than 8mm)
19 / Riving knife size correct for blade? (for blades <600mm in diameter the top of the riving knife must be not more than 25mm below the top of the blade and not more than 225mm above the table; for blades >600mm in diameter the knife must be at least 225mm above the table).
20 / Blade sharp? (Blunt blades sound different and may snag or snatch timber).
21 / Pushsticks where provided, used and in good condition?
22 / Take off bench of 1200mm behind blade? (if "taking off" is done).
23 / No unsafe procedures carried out? eg cutting logs, rebates, tenons, etc. If so seek advice from your School Safety Officer.
24 / Braking device fitted where run down time is in excess of 10 seconds (where rapid braking will not be detrimental to the machine)?
25 / Diameter of smallest saw blade that can be used should be displayed on the machine?
BandsawsYes / No
26 / Lockable isolator provided?
27 / Blade completely enclosed except for operating portion?
28 / Guard set as low as practicable to the machine table?
29 / No small size workpieces handheld without jig?
30 / Guard adjusted as close to timber as practicable?
31 / Left hand (especially thumb) kept well clear if holding timber?
32 / Blade does not extend over edge of bench?
33 / Braking device fitted where run down time is in excess of 10 seconds (where rapid braking time will not be detrimental to the machine)?
34 / Lockable isolator provided?
Planer/Thicknesser
35 / Strong rigid bridge guard provided, made from wood or aluminium?
36 / Bridge guard should be long enough to cover the table gap with fence at maximum adjustment?
37 / Width of bridge guard should be at least equal to the cutter block diameter?
38 / Bridge guard should be capable of being easily adjustable horizontally and vertically?
39 / Gap between bridge guard and table, guard and fence or guard and timber should not exceed 10mm?
40 / Only cylindrical cutter blocks should be used on hand-fed planing machines?
41 / Knife projection should be kept to a minimum. Machines (post 1995), maximum cutter projection should not exceed 1.1mm?
42 / Clearance between the cutting circle and lips of the infeed and outfeed tables should be as small as practicable generally 3mm + 2mm?
43 / The outfeed table height should never be below the cutting circle diameter.
44 / Push stick should have well designed handles which provide a firm grip?
45 / Sharp knife blades to reduce the risk of snatching and kick-back?
46 / No rebating carried out without provision of extra tunnel type guard?
47 / Braking device fitted where run down time is in excess of 10 seconds (where rapid braking will not be detrimental to the machine)?
48 / Combined surface planing and thicknessing machines where used for thicknessing should have sectional feed rollers or other anti kick back devices fitted (eg anti kick back fingers).
49 / Lockable isolator provided?
Pillar/Pedestal DrillsYes / No
50 / Spindle chuck and tool fitted with guard which encloses dangerous parts to the greatest extent practicable? (ie tool should not protrude significantly beneath guard)
51 / Guard is in place and correctly adjusted when machine is in use.
52 / Gloves, loose cuffs and sleeves prohibited?
53 / Chuck key stored appropriately and always removed from chuck?
54 / Suitable clamping arrangements to hold workpiece?
55 / Lockable isolator provided?
Abrasive Wheels
56 / No one mounting new wheels without specific training?
57 / Eye protection available and worn?
58 / Tool rest adjusted as close as possible to wheel?
59 / Braking devices fitted where run down time is in excess of 10 seconds (where rapid braking will not be detrimental to the machine)?
60 / Lockable isolator provided?
Milling Machines
61 / Cutters, arbor and mandrel guarded to the greatest extent practicable?
62 / Guards correctly adjusted and maintained?
63 / Underside of cutter guarded as far as possible eg by provision of false table?
64 / Braking devices fitted where run down time is in excess of 10 seconds (where rapid braking will not be detrimental to the machine)?
65 / Lockable isolator provided?
Signature:...... Date:......
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