Unit IGC 2 – Element 3: Working equipment hazards and control

Question # 1: Explain EIGHT mechanical hazards. (8)

Sample Answer
- Impact from moving parts of a machine, e.g. paint spray robot
- Crushing between moving part of a machine and a fixed object, e.g. between a mobile crane
- and a wall when the crane slews
- Ejection, e.g. of grit and metal sparks when using a bench mounted grinding wheel
- Drawing in, e.g. between two contra-rotating gear wheels
- Puncture, e.g. from a needle on a sewing machine
- Entanglement of clothes, jewellery or hair in a rotating shaft
- Abrasion, e.g. from a polishing belt (carborundum)
- Shear, or cutting, e.g. from

Question # 2:
Outline the hazards that a worker could be exposed to when using a petrol driven chainsaw to cut down a tree.
(8)
Sample Answer
Hazards associated with the task including
- Contact with the moving parts of the chainsaw
- Exposure to fumes and dust
- Hazards arising from manual handling operations
- Exposure to noise and vibration
- Falls from a height;
- Handling lubricating oils which might lead to dermatitis;
- Flying particles such as tree bark and sawdust;
- Uneven ground or wet grass which could lead to slips and falls;
- Falling objects such as branches or the tree itself;
- Contact with overhead services and
- Hazards arising from adverse weather conditions.

Question # 3:
(a) Identify the hazards associated with the use of a cement mixer (4)
(b) For the hazards identified above, outline control measures that can be used to reduce the risk (4)

Sample Answer
(a)
- Manual handling
- The corrosive and irritant properties of cement inhalation of the cement dust;
- Machinery hazards such as moving parts, ejection of materials and noise and
- Hazards connected with the power supply to the mixer.
(b)
- Use of mechanical means for manual handling or if this was not possible training the worker in correct
lifting techniques and allowing adequate rest breaks;
- The provision and use of personal protective equipment such as gloves and overalls to reduce contact with
cement the provision and use of respiratory protective equipment such as dust masks to prevent the
inhalation of cement dust;

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 Unit IGC 2 – Element 3: Working equipment hazards and control

- Fitting guards to the mixer to prevent contact with its moving parts and to prevent the ejection of
materials and wearing hearing protection to reduce the effect of noise;
- Prohibiting the mixer from operating in confined areas if run on petrol or diesel together with the
provision of storage facilities for the fuel to protect against the risk of fire or if electrically operated, the
use of residual current devices to minimise the risk of shock.

Question # 4:
Identify the factors that would help to determine the maintenance requirements of an item of work equipment.
(8)

Sample Answer
- Type
- Age and use of the equipment
- Statutory and insurance requirements
- Manufacturers recommendations
- Reliability of the equipment based on breakdown history
- The environment in which the equipment is used (the effects of temperature, humidity or dust)
- The criticality of the equipment to the process and the implications of failure of the equipment for the
health and safety of employees.

Question # 5:
List EIGHT types of mechanical hazard associated with moving parts of machinery. (8)

Sample Answer
Mechanical hazards such as:
- Crushing,
- Shearing
- Cutting/severing
- Entanglement,
- Drawing in
- Trapping
- Impact
- Stabbing/punctures and
- Friction and abrasion

Question # 6:
Outline FOUR main types of guards and safeguarding devices that may be used to reduce the risk of contact
with dangerous parts of machinery (8)

Answers Plan
Fixed guard as a physical barrier which was not linked to the machine operation and required a special tool for
its removal
Interlocked guard which is linked to the machine operation and prevents access when the machine is in a
dangerous condition while also preventing operation of the machine until the guard is in position
Trip device such as a probe or pressure mat, stops movement of the machine when approach is detected
Automatic or self acting guard such as a push away guard is linked to the machine mechanism and physically
moves the operator away from the danger zone.

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 Unit IGC 2 – Element 3: Working equipment hazards and control

Question # 7:
Identify FOUR mechanical hazards presented by pedestal drills and outline in EACH case how injury may occur.
(8)
Sample Answer
- Entanglement of hair, loose clothing or jewellery with the drill bit or chuck
- Stabbing or puncture injuries to hands and arms from the end of the drill bit
- Contact with the rotating drill bit or chuck resulting in abrasion injuries
- Ejection of, or impact by, unclamped work pieces, made worse by the fact that the work piece may be
spinning at fast speed on the end of the drill bit
- Cutting hazards from metal swarf produced by the drilling process

Question # 8:
Outline the hazards and risk to which a worker could be exposed when cutting down a tree using a petrol
driven chainsaw. (8)

Sample Answer
Hazards associated with the task including
- Contact with the moving parts of the chainsaw
- Exposure to fumes and dust
- Hazards arising from manual handling operations
- Exposure to noise and vibration
- Falls from a height;
- Handling lubricating oils which might lead to dermatitis;
- Flying particles such as tree bark and sawdust;
- Uneven ground or wet grass which could lead to slips and falls;
- Falling objects such as branches or the tree itself;
- Contact with overhead services and
- Hazards arising from adverse weather conditions.

Question # 9:
Outline the FOUR main categories of guards and safeguarding devices that may be used to minimise the risk of
contact with dangerous parts of machinery. (8)

Sample Answer
 Fixed
- Fixed guards provide a physical barrier, are held in place at all times and are not linked to the
machine operation. They require a special tool for removal
 Interlocked
- Interlocked guards are linked mechanically, electrically, or pneumatically to the machine
operation and prevent access when the machine is in a dangerous position, while also preventing
operation of the machine when the guard is open
 Adjustable or self-adjusting
- The adjustable or self-adjusting guard, is essentially a fixed guard that has elements that can be
adjusted, or which adjust themselves, to allow for the material being processed. Typical examples
can be found on circular saws and drill chucks
 Trip device
- Trip devices, e.g. a pressure mat, probe or photo-electric system, stops the movement of the machine
when approach is detected

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