What does PUWER tell us?
PUWER: – Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulation 1998
PUWER tells us many things. PUWER regulations apply to all work equipment in the workplace. PUWER requires that all equipment used at work must be suitable and safe for use and should not result in a health and safety risk regardless of its age, condition or origin. PUWER state that ‘’every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and in good repair’’.
All equipment should be checked frequently to make sure that all the safety features are still working correctly.
Employers must make sure that employees they intend to use equipment are thoroughly trained and have received all relevant information to be able to safely operate equipment and any know about precautions to be taken whilst operating. Also, any employees who supervise or manage the use of work equipment should be trained on the equipment or attend a managers and supervisors course to be able to confidently and safely supervise employees regarding Material Handling Equipment (MHE).
How will Covid-19 (Corona virus) affect the workplace?
Employers will need to make changes to the working environment and provide and make available the correct PPE also to train employees on any changes/ additions to their new working environment to be sure all employees are able to work safely.
Some of these changes should include:
Cleaning
Additional cleaning is going to become a vital part of operation during the Covid-19 (corona virus) pandemic.
Material Handling Equipment (MHE) will need to be wiped clean. Examples include:
- Steering Wheel
- Hydraulic Controls
- Touch display screens
- Handles
- Hand Brake
- Seat belts
- Dashboards & chassis areas
- Floor mats
- Battery change/ fuel cap
Before applying any cleaning product always refer to the operator’s manual or information issued by the manufacturer.
Cleaning of batteries will need to be done in accordance to manufacturers recommendations
It should also be noted that no cleaning should introduce additional hazards.
Training of safely cleaning the MHE would be necessary if employees have not previously been trained how.
Waste
The government advice provides important information for disposal of possible contaminated waste. When there is a risk that the waste could or is contaminated it should be sealed into a plastic bag which then should be sealed into a second plastic bag and should be stored away in a secured area away from any communal waste for at least 72 hours (3 days) before you are able to dispose it using normal waste procedures
Hygiene
Making sure employees maintain a social distance of 2 meters, providing extra PPE for example: antibacterial hand gel/ wipes, disposable gloves/ face masks. Neither gloves or face masks should be re used and should be placed into a bag and be disposed of. Also making sure employees are being monitored to watch out for any symptoms.
How can we help with this? Here at Ace Trainers we offer a managers and supervisors course for managing the safe use and control of forklift trucks in the workplace for you and/or your company
For more information on our Managers and Supervisors course please visit-https://www.acetrainers.co.uk/manager-and-supervisor-training/
For enquiries on our Management and Supervisors training or other courses please contact us via our website https://www.acetrainers.co.uk/ or call us on 01256 889489