By Shivan Perera

Unit 1 - P1
Explain the key features of relevant regulations on health and safety as applied to a
working environment in two selected or given engineering organisations.

The principles of health and safety are essential - especially for those who work and
depend upon it in the engineering industry, as it can help minimise what is known as
hazards and the risks that are associated with it. A hazard is defined as either a
situation, activity or an action that has the potential to cause harm to either the
employee or to someone else. A risk on the other hand is the likelihood of that harm
occurring, and also the severity of the harm that the hazard posses.
Listed below are two engineering industries and the regulations that apply to these
industries on the principles of health and safety.

Mechanical Engineering
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWAR) 1988
In mechanical and other related industries of engineering, different types of work
equipment are used extensively, which include heavy machinery and hand held
appliances.
The PUWAR regulation requires the employer to ensure that:
All work equipment must be suitable and fit for the purpose of carrying out a
relevant job by employees.
All work equipment must be properly maintained and has to work efficiently, by
carrying out inspections on a regular basis, so as to prevent employees from being
exposed to serious risks.
As a precaution it is essential that employees also carry out a quick inspection on the
machinery, before they start any work on them.
All employees must receive the adequate training and instruction by a more
competent and experienced engineer, before being allowed to use the work
equipment.
All the dangerous parts of a functional work equipment, must be well guarded and
protective to the user. This will ensure that when the machine is switched on, it can
be used correctly and safely for the intended purpose, and reducing any risk of injury
to the user at the same time.
The controls on the work equipment must be clearly marked and visible to the eye of
the user. This will ensure that anyone who operates the equipment, is confident and
is less likely to be prone towards injury.
All work equipment must be accessible and be able to be isolated from the electrical
supply, before investigating for faults within the equipment. This will ensure that
employees do not get electrocuted while working on the equipment, even if the
switch at the socket on the wall is already in the off position.
Warning signs must be fixed either on or close to the work equipment, as it essential
that employees be aware of the hazards and risks posed by the work equipment,
before using them.

By Shivan Perera

Supply of Machinery (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2005

The regulation requires the employer to issue with the work equipment, a
comprehensive instruction manual that contains technical drawings of the machinery
and its circuit diagrams, as well as essential health and safety requirements and the
list of methods/standard procedures to how a employee/technician should handle the
machinery in order to eliminate any hazards that it posses.
The regulation also requires the employer to ensure that all work equipment is marked
or stamped with a CE mark and that it is visible. The CE mark implies that the work
equipment used, meets European Union standards for safety and that the hazards and
risks associated with the work equipment are minimised as far as possible.

Manual Handling Operations Regulations (MHO) 1992

In mechanical and other related industries of engineering, employees are required to
carry out some form of manual handling of heavy items, which includes lifting, putting
down, pushing or pulling the item to some place else.
The MHO regulation requires the employer to ensure that as part of the induction
program (i.e. during the first week of starting work), all employees in the workplace
are given the adequate training and instruction on how to correctly manual handle
heavy items. This means that employees are less likely to be prone towards injury.

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998

The LOLER regulation requires the employer to ensure that:
All goods-lifting equipment must be strong, stable and suitable for the purpose of
carrying out a relevant job by employees.
All goods-lifting equipment must be properly maintained and thoroughly inspected
every year by a more competent and experienced engineer, so as to prevent
employees from being exposed to serious risks.
All employees must receive the adequate training and instruction by a more
competent and experienced engineer, before being allowed to use the goods-lifting
equipment in a safe manner. As a result, this will also prevent harm to other
employees working close to the lifting activity.
A Safe Working Load (SWL) sign must be fixed onto every lifting equipment, as it is
essential that trained employees be aware of the maximum safe load that can be
lifted by the equipment which they use.
Also every lifting equipment must be fitted with an overload protection device,
because if the weight of the goods carried by the lift exceeds the maximum safe
working load, then the alarm will sound and shut the power off to the equipment.

By Shivan Perera

Electrical Engineering
Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
The regulation requires the employer to ensure that all employees are supplied with
the appropriate choice of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), based on the type of
hazard that their job posses in the workplace. For example in electrical and other
related industries of engineering, the provision of PPE includes anti-static footwear
which will prevent the build up of static electricity and eliminate the risks of a severe
and fatal electrical shock to the employee.
The regulation also requires the employer to ensure that all PPE is issued free of
charge and that adequate training and instruction are given to employees on how to
correctly use the PPE. In addition the PPE must be worn at all times by the person that
it was supplied to, and not only should it fit the person, but it should also be
comfortable to wear. As a result the PPE needs to be regularly cleaned, repaired or
replaced when it is no longer fit for use.

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences

Regulations 1995
The regulation requires the employer/a responsible person that is in control of the
premisses to ensure that all serious accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences in
the workplace are reported as soon as possible to the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE), either by telephone or online. For example in electrical and other related
industries of engineering, a severe and fatal electrical shock to the employee is a
serious accident within the workplace, as it will cause the employee to either loose
consciousness or suffer a serious injury that would require a stay in hospital of more
than 24 hours.
The regulation also requires the employer to ensure that as part of the induction
program (i.e. during the first week of starting work), all employees are taught the
reporting procedure, as to how they must correctly report all accidents that occur
within the workplace. This means that employees will be able to notify the employer/a
responsible person that is in control of the premisses as soon as possible, and seek
medical attention for the injured.

Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

The regulation requires the employer to ensure that all new electrical work equipment
that is intended for the use of within the workplace, have been designed and
constructed in such a way, that they are able to operate at a voltage that makes them
safe enough to use by employees. In addition the electrical work equipment must be
able to protect the person that is in control of it against the risk of a severe and fatal
electric shock, through protective earthing, double insulation or an equivalent level of
safety.
The regulation also requires the employer to ensure that all electrical work equipment
is marked or stamped with a CE mark and that it is visible. The CE mark implies that
the work equipment used, meets European Union standards for safety and that the
hazards and risks associated with the work equipment are minimised as far as

By Shivan Perera
possible. A technical documentation must also be provided for each of the new
electrical work equipment and include a list of all the relevant regulations that have
been met by the manufacturer, as well as test reports on the functionality of the work
equipment that have been established by either the manufacturer or a third party.

Electricity at Work Regulations (EAWR) 1989

The EAWR regulation requires the employee to ensure that all electrical work
equipment that is intended for the use of within the workplace is properly maintained
and thoroughly inspected every five years by a more competent and experienced
electrician, so as to prevent employees from being exposed to serious risks. This
means that all faulty electrical work equipment with loose connections, crushed cables
and wires, etc. must not be overlooked.
As a result all electrical work equipment must be properly insulated, and copper wires
or connections that are inside must not be exposed. Meaning that no one should be
able to touch a live copper wire, as they would otherwise come into direct contact with
the electricity from the mains supply, which in turn would cause a severe and fatal
electric shock. Also since electricity cannot be seen or smelt there is no way of
knowing if a copper wire is exposed or not, which is why the electrical work equipment
must be isolated from the mains supply first before it is examined for defects.

Bryan Weatherill, B W. (2010) BTEC Engineering level 3, pages 5-11, Pearson

Education Limited
https://www.gov.uk/electrical-equipment-manufacturers-and-their-responsibilities