Businesses urged to focus on machine guarding basics

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is reminding businesses involved in all areas of manufacturing and processing about the importance of effective machine guarding.

Every year employees across New Zealand are involved in accidents because of ineffective or non-existent machine guards.

Under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 all employers have a duty to identify and take all practicable steps to ensure that their employees are not exposed to hazards in the workplace.

Northern Division Health and Safety Manager, John Howard, said: “MBIE Health and Safety Inspectors are still regularly investigating incidents where employees have been seriously harmed and in some cases received life-changing injuries because of a lack of effective machine guarding.

“The quieter Christmas period is an ideal opportunity for all businesses to carry out both maintenance and an audit of their machinery and ensure that it meets the necessary standards.

“All the principles of machine guarding are well known and are easily accessible on the MBIE website. In addition, Health and Safety Inspectors can offer specific advice if required.

“MBIE is committed to ensuring dangerous machinery is either replaced or made safe and will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action to ensure this occurs,” he said.   

Detailed information on safe machine-guarding principles are on our website.