Workshop Safety and Workshop Safety and Maintenance for Small Maintenance for Small Furniture ManufacturersFurniture Manufacturers

Jamaica Business Development Corporation

Today we will learn:Today we will learn:Safety regulations adopted from

Factories Act and OSHAOperational Safety tipsEquipment maintenance tipsPreventing Electrical HazardsImpact of adequate lighting and

ventilation

Factories ActFactories ActThe Factories Regulation was enacted

to ensure best practices and the safe operation of factories in Jamaica.

This includes policies to ensure the safe operation of machinery, testing and inspection of equipment, safe environment for workers including sanitary conveniences and registration and certification of factories.

OSHA StandardsOSHA StandardsOSHA (Occupational Health and Safety

Administration) based in America is an International Standard recognized worldwide.

Under the OSH Act, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace.

OSHA's mission is to assure safe and healthful workplaces by setting and enforcing standards, and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.

Employers must comply with all applicable OSHA standards which requires employers to keep their workplace free of serious recognized hazards.

Factories Act and OSHA Factories Act and OSHA StandardsStandards

There are many similarities in the two regulations.

OSHA is however far more comprehensive and detailed due to constant updates and amendments to the regulations.

Safety and Factories Act Safety and Factories Act regulationsregulations

Securely fence dangerous parts of a machinery (3). It is illegal according to factories act for anyone to sell you equipment without proper guards, etc

Heavy Duty machines powered by electric motors must have a switch and an EMERGENCY STOP. (4-2)

Persons must be competent to operate machines. (15)

Air receivers safe working pressure should not be exceeded! (42)

Safety and Factories Act Safety and Factories Act regulationsregulations

No timber or material with projecting nail should be a source of danger to workers. (Building 94 -1)

No loose material is to be left in passage ways to unduly restrict the passage of persons (Building 94 -2)

Sanitary conveniences should be provided for workers including fresh water (66f)

Wear safety equipment where necessary. (Goggles, steel toe shoes, gloves, dust mask, other necessary PPE) (75)

OSHA standardsOSHA standards1910.213(a)(1)

Each machine shall be so constructed as to be free from sensible vibration when the largest size tool is mounted and run idle at full speed.

1910.213(a)(2)Arbors and mandrels shall be constructed so as to have firm and secure bearing and be free from play.

OSHA standardsOSHA standards1910.213(i)(2)

Each bandsaw machine shall be provided with a tension control device to indicate a proper tension for the standard saws used on the machine, in order to assist in the elimination of saw breakage due to improper tension.

1910.213(j)(1)Each hand-fed planer and jointer with horizontal head shall be equipped with a cylindrical cutting head, the knife projection of which shall not exceed one-eighth inch beyond the cylindrical body of the head.

Operational Safety TipsOperational Safety TipsDo not wear loose clothing, work gloves,

neckties, rings, bracelets or other jewellery that can become entangled with moving parts.

Avoid awkward operations and hand positions where a sudden slip could cause your hand to move into the cutting tool or blade.

Do not remove sawdust or cuttings from the cutting head by hand while a machine is running. Use a stick or brush when the machine has stopped moving.

Operational Safety TipsOperational Safety TipsDo not leave machines running unattended

(unless they are designed and intended to be operated while unattended). Do not leave a machine until the power off is turned off and the machine comes to a complete stop.

Do not try to free a stalled blade before turning the power off.

Do not distract or startle an operator while he or she is using woodworking equipment.

Do not leave wrenches, screwdrivers, blades or any such item on a machine where it may cause damage.

Safely operating your Safely operating your machinemachine

Operational Safety TipsOperational Safety TipsStore hand tools properly where they

will not be damaged by moisture, dust, etc.

Make sure handles and guards are not faulty or broken

Use the proper attachments, blades, cutters for the your hand tool

Always store new bladesKnow when you hand tool is

behaving abnormallyUse tools ergonomically

Operational SafetyOperational SafetyLook at the picture and identify

the safety measures used and why.

Operational SafetyOperational SafetyLook at the picture and identify

the safety hazards or measures and why.

Equipment Maintenance Equipment Maintenance TipsTips

Create a schedule for maintaining your equipment

Ensure the relevant moving parts and bearings are properly lubricated as required

Check to ensure pulley belts are in good condition and tension is correct.

Keep cutting tools and blades sharp

Ensure there is no excessive vibration when operating this is a sign of misaligning parts.

Investigate strange noises immediately

Equipment Maintenance Equipment Maintenance TipsTips

Know your machine well.

Maintain, keep and acquire the necessary manuals for your machine

Know where to obtain replacement parts or service technicians that are competent to service these machines.

QuestionsQuestions Do you employ preventative maintenance or

breakdown maintenance?

Write down a list of equipment that you find breakdown more frequently.

How do you usually service and maintain the equipment?

Do you know the root cause of your breakdowns.

Do you know the life of your blades, cutters, saws bits etc?

Are you aware of factors that extend or reduce the life of your tools?

Preventing Electrical Preventing Electrical HazardsHazards

Possible HazardsPossible HazardsElectrocution

Fire or explosion

Damage to equipment

Injury to operator(s)

Preventing Electrical Preventing Electrical HazardsHazardsEnsure your power source and wiring

can handle the current load of the equipment you are using.

Do not plug a lot of equipment in one socket. All heavy duty equipment should have its own isolator!

Avoid sloppy wiring. This causes confusion when diagnosing a fault, additionally, occupants can trip over wires and get electrocuted.

Preventing Electrical Preventing Electrical HazardsHazardsEnsure your power cord is not damaged,

broken or contain short or has wiring exposed.

Avoid leaks in roofs where water or other liquids can spill into sockets and cause fire.

Avoid the use of hot incandescent bulbs as they draw can make the internal environment much hotter and possibly start a fire.

Do not use plugs that have no ground especially for equipment with metal casing.

Exercise 1Exercise 1You are provided with power from

your neighbour to run 2 of your machines. One machine runs on 220V and draws a maximum current of 10A. The other also runs on 220V and draws 20A.

What are some important questions you need to ask your neighbour and why?

Questions to askQuestions to ask

Is the right voltage available?

What is the size of the breaker circuit from which the power is being taken?

What else is running on the same breaker?

Is the extension/wiring used able to carry the power demanded?

Exercise 2Exercise 2What amperage should a circuit

breaker be if the motor used on a machine has the following specifications:

Idle current: 2AAverage current under load: 6 -12 AMaximum current: 14A

Impact of lighting and Impact of lighting and VentilationVentilationThe machining and spraying of

wood can create a hazardous environment that makes adequate lighting and ventilation necessary.

Why is lighting important?

Why is adequate ventilation important?

Impact of adequate Impact of adequate lightinglighting

Factories Act and OSHA requires that lighting be adequate in

workshops because:

Hazards are more likely to be seen.

It also reduces the likelihood of visual fatigue and discomfort.

Woodworking machinists need a clear view of the work piece, the cutters and other controls.

Make sure the light is positioned or shaded to prevent glare.

Impact of adequate Impact of adequate ventilationventilation

Factories Act and OSHA requires that ventilation

be adequate (61) in workshops since:

It facilitates the removal of certain chemicals and dust particles to levels that affect human respiratory health. (Possible diseases include allergies, dermatitis, cancers, etc)

It prevents the concentration of volatile substances such as chemicals found in sprays and varnish which may explode if ignited.

Impact of adequate Impact of adequate ventilationventilationThe presence of certain

chemicals can make workers sleepy, confused or sick and thereby halt or slow down production.

Factories Act requires that adequate ventilation also be provided for restrooms.

Exercise 3Exercise 3Based on what was discussed

make a list of all that you think Factories Act and OSHA would find hazardous in your workshop and state what you could do to correct them?