Belt sander incident
Earlier this month, a young tradie was rushed to Royal North Shore hospital after getting his genitals caught in a belt sander. The unfortunate accident happened at a worksite in Mosman, on Sydney’s north shore.
Fire and Rescue crews and two ambulance crews were called to the scene, however due to the severity of his injuries he was taken to hospital in a stable condition to have the machinery carefully removed. Using power tools is a common cause of injuries across industries and employers and workers need to manage the risks every day.
Working with power tools
WHS Regulation states a PCBU must ensure that information, training and instruction provided to a worker is suitable and adequate in regards to the nature of their work, the risks associated with that work and the control measures in place.
Some key points to remember when using any type of power tool:
- A power tool’s effectiveness is proportional to a worker’s level of training in using the tool, as well as their diligence in following safety guidelines.
- Before starting any job, go through a pre-start process and ensure everyone who is using power tools is trained and competent.
- Keep your hands and feet away from moving parts and wear the correct personal protective equipment for the job.
- Employers need to ensure all workers receive the correct training and supervision.
Source: SafeWork NSW
Training is Key
3D Safety offer a range of safety awareness courses including Power Tool Safety and Angle Grinder Safety. The courses offer a combination of theory and practical work covering safety precautions and principles, as well as inspection and maintenance requirements.
We tailor the course to individual businesses with discussions on past accidents and practical assessments of tools used on site.
Contact Us
Contact 3D Safety to assist with managing power tools safely in the workplace.