The law says that you must maintain any work equipment you provide in a safe condition for use so that people’s health and safety is not at risk and, in certain circumstances, inspected to ensure this remains the case.  Read more...

Staying safe when carrying out maintenance and building work

Start by asking yourself if it is a construction job or a maintenance job and, in either case, if you can do it yourself. If in doubt, consult a professional builder for advice.

 

 

Maintenance

This section includes the safe installation, use and maintenance of systems or equipment that contain a liquid or gas under pressure. 

In maintenance work, conditions are very different from those normally encountered and new hazards may be introduced. All equipment and plant should be maintained in good working order and in good repair, and some must be regularly checked.

It's essential that everyone involved is trained to be aware of the hazards and the correct precautions.

General maintenance – do's and don’ts

Operators should make sure that:

• they know how to stop the machine before starting it
• they always start it from the correct position
• all guards are fitted and working correctly
• the area around a fixed machine is clean, tidy and free from obstruction
• they wear appropriate protective clothing and equipment.

Operators should never:

• use a machine unless they know how to use it safely and have received suitable training;
• try to clear blockages or clean a machine unless they have disconnected the drive and stopped the machine
• wear dangling chains, loose clothing, gloves or rings, or have long hair which could get caught up in moving parts
• distract people who are using machines.

General workshop safety

Check that:

• the workshop is tidy with no tripping hazards such as trailing cables and tools
• welding gas bottles are secured upright, and when in use can be moved  easily on a trolley
• battery charging is done in a well-ventilated area away from sources of ignition such as welding flames or angle grinding
• operators  avoid chlorinated solvents such as ‘trike’ or ‘perc’ for degreasing. Use a less harmful product (not paraffin or petrol) and put degreasing baths in well-ventilated areas
• arc welding is done in a protected area so that others nearby are not affected by the ultra-violet light and suffer ‘arc-eye’ as a result
• operators use the correct abrasive wheel for the job, and adjust bench grinder tool-rests close to the wheel
• operators can escape from inspection pits easily and that inspection lamps have protected bulbs (flammable fluids such as petrol may collect in the bottom of the pit and explode with the heat from a broken bulb filament)
• noise levels from plant such as compressors are controlled
• PPE is provided – eye protection for chiselling, grinding and welding work; respiratory protection for work that creates dust, if extraction cannot be provided; or foot protection if there is a risk of things falling on to the feet. 

Building work

The law requires that health and safety is managed throughout all stages of a building project, from conception, design and planning through to site work and subsequent maintenance and repair of the structure. The law applies to all work building projects and refurbishments. It does not apply to work on your domestic dwelling (farmhouse) but will apply to refurbishment on any domestic premises you provide to employees.

Most farms carry out some building work, from dismantling and re-erecting entire buildings to dealing with asbestos. All such work involves risks and you must put proper controls into place.

Farmers are very resourceful and can often turn their hand to most things. Start by asking yourself if it is a construction job or a maintenance job and, in either case, if you can do it yourself. If in doubt, consult a professional builder for advice.

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