Equipment & Machinery
Machinery and equipment are common in the workplace and must be safe to use. Machinery and equipment facilitate work and increase productivity.
Machines and equipment that are in order and work correctly and are very predictable.
It is easier to ensure safety with machines than with most other working conditions. This can be done with covers, sensors or other equipment.
Laws and regulations apply to both new and old machines. The safety of machines must be considered as soon as they are designed. A risk assessment must be made at the design stage of machines for their entire service life, i.e design, manufacturing, transport, installation, use, maintenance, cleaning and finally disposal.
New machines must be CE marked and must be accompanied by a declaration of conformity, they must also be accompanied by Icelandic operating and safety instructions.
Old machines should be as safe as new ones.
Examples of machines are:
- Complex production lines
- Forklifts
- Drills
- Chainsaws band saws
- Various earth-moving equipment
- Cranes and more
Employer Responsibility
The employer must ensure that the machinery and equipment used are suitable for the work to be performed, are designed for safe use and are equipped with the necessary protective equipment so that employees are protected against injury. The employer must also ensure that the machinery and equipment used comply with the requirements and regulations that apply to them.
The employer must also ensure that employees receive training and information about the machines and equipment used.
Manufacturer
A manufacturer is someone who manufactures a machine or device or assembles machine parts so that it becomes a functional whole.
The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that the equipment complies with regulatory requirements and is as safe when in use. The manufacturer must remove hazards and or reduce them as much as possible. Also provide information on use and inform users of the dangers that may be associated with use. They must explain what training is needed and what personal protective equipment needs to be used when using the machine/device. They must ensure that the machine is CE-marked.
Importer/Seller
The importer or seller (the person putting the machine/device on the market) must ensure that the machine is designed and manufactured in accordance with laws and regulations, that a declaration of conformity has been issued for the machine/device and that it is accompanied by instructions on use and maintenance in Icelandic.