HSE issues warning for users of hand-fed platen machines

Two operators were killed in 2007/08 in the UK and HSE says it is aware of three similar fatalities in other countries since 2007. Current guarding requirements have been effective in controlling the risk of operators suffering crush injuries to their hands and forearms. However, as the machines have become larger, operators could be putting their lives at risk by climbing onto the lower platen. HSE is writing to all known users of these machines, alerting them to the risks and providing a new information sheet, based on consultation with industry, users and suppliers. As well as showing options for improving the safeguarding, it addresses issues including training, isolation procedures, daily checks and periodic inspections. These measures, says the HSE, will bring platens into line with other high-risk machines such as guillotines. Tim Small, a specialist manufacturing safety inspector at HSE, says that inspectors will visit companies over the next few weeks and months to find out how they are responding to the new guidance. "Our investigations show that workers can and do climb between the platens on many machines," comments Small. "The risk is particularly high when the platen is being used in dwell (semi-automatic) mode. In this situation, operators are not protected by the current guarding arrangements," he explains. "HSE will be carrying out visits to users to check that firms are taking action to comply with information sheet. We will consider using our enforcement powers where we find particularly poor standards or where firms have not started to take any action to improve standards."