Both employer and employee have responsibilities of housekeeping when it comes to the health and safety legislation. “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”(Section 2 of HASWA) This states that the employer has a duty of providing a safe working atmosphere for their employees. Examples such as making sure the tools are in working order, knowing that employees have had proper training and that any faults in tools and equipment have been noted and had a risk assessment done on them. However you can only be sure that these rules are being followed if the employee puts them into practise. For example if there is a fault on a tool, an employee must notify a technician or line manager. If the employee fails to do so they put themselves and everyone else at risk if that tool is put to use again. Same for the line manager and employer if they have been notified and don’t perform a proper risk assessment. Also if there is a fault on something that hasn’t been notified, a basic before use check can be put in place to ensure safety to employees.
2.Are there certain tools or equipment that you are not allowed to maintain for a variety of reasons.
Yes, all major lifting equipment involving steel rope and hydraulics would cause injury and damage if failure occurred. All such equipment would need to be checked, maintained and repaired by qualified engineers to maintain the insurance required in the workshop. Certain other sorts of equipment I.E. gas analysers and electrical test equipment may at times need re-calibration to keep within the manufactures specifications. In general any tools or equipment which operates by air may also need specialist repair.
3.
Before/After use
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Yearly
Other*
Workshop floor
X- sweep