In 2004/05, the UK Manufacturing Sector reported over 32,000 work related accidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Many of the accidents reported to the HSE by this sector involved machinery.
Employers have a general duty to provide and maintain machinery, equipment and other plant that is safe under The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
These Regulations apply to 'workplaces' which generally includes premises which are made available to any person as a place of work.
There are some exclusions including ships, construction sites, some means of transport and domestic premises.
All employers providing work equipment must also ensure that this equipment is suitable and is properly maintained. If work equipment is suitable for its task, then it makes it possible to reduce or eliminate many of the risks to the health and safety of workers.
With regards to maintenance of work equipment, every employer must ensure that it is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
Where any machinery has a maintenance log, employers must also ensure that the log is kept up to date. It is vital that work equipment is maintained in order to prevent a potentially dangerous defect occurring.