Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999

Thorough examination of power presses, guards and protection devices

32.—(1) Every employer shall ensure that a power press is not put into service for the first time after installation, or after assembly at a new site or in a new location unless—

(a) it has been thoroughly examined to ensure that it—

(i) has been installed correctly; and

(ii) would be safe to operate; and

(b) any defect has been remedied.

(2) Every employer shall ensure that a guard, other than one to which paragraph (3) relates, or protection device is not put into service for the first time on a power press unless—

(a) it has been thoroughly examined when in position on that power press to ensure that it is effective for its purpose; and

(b) any defect has been remedied.

(3) Every employer shall ensure that a part of a closed tool which acts as a fixed guard is not used on a power press unless—

(a) it has been thoroughly examined when in position on any power press in the premises to ensure that it is effective for its purpose; and

(b) any defect has been remedied.

(4) For the purpose of ensuring that health and safety conditions are maintained, and that any deterioration can be detected and remedied in good time, every employer shall ensure that—

(a) every power press is thoroughly examined and its guards and protection devices are thoroughly examined when in position on that power press—

(i) at least every 12 months, where it has fixed guards only; or

(ii) at least every 6 months, in other cases; and

(iii) each time that exceptional circumstances have occurred which are liable to jeopardise the safety of the power press or its guards or protection devices; and

(b) any defect is remedied before the power press is used again.

(5) Where a power press, guard or protection device was, before the coming into operation of these Regulations required to be thoroughly examined by regulation 5(2) of the Power Presses Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1966(1), the first thorough examination under paragraph (4) shall be made before the date by which a thorough examination would have been required by regulation 5(2) had it remained in operation.

(6) Paragraph (4) shall not apply to that part of a closed tool which acts as a fixed guard.

(7) In this regulation “defect” means a defect notified under regulation 34 other than a defect which has not yet become a danger to persons.

(1)

S.R. & O. (N.I.) 1966 No. 311 as amended by S.R. & O. (N.I.) 1973 No. 204