A recent health and safety case involved 17-year old Aaron Maguire having fingers amputated on a circular saw, whilst studying at Reaseheath College, in Nantwich. One of the root causes was a lack or training on the machine.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czr8d0rexevo.amp
The picture behind the blog title is of a cross-saw somewhere in Norwich, that also removed two fingers from an employee’s left hand, for which we helped support the employer in their difficult interactions with the HSE.
The lessons? Well, the regulations* require “adequate training”. “Competence” however goes beyond training, and is the demonstration of the skill in using the machine safely, the attitude towards this and also medical fitness. An assessment of competence is a far better approach that training record.
Also, the Regulations** do quite clearly require that people using dangerous work equipment are duly authorised to do so, which can tie in quite well with the assessment of competence.
The Norwich incident, and another recent case elsewhere, both highlight the need for adequate training records. One of these cases revolved around the record not being signed by the trainee. More lessons; for work equipment, the record should include a comprehensive review of the machine’s risks,
As always, if you need some help with a system of competence assessment, our contact details are below!
Richard
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, *Reg 9, “Training” and ** Reg 7, “Specific Risks”