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STATUTORY RULES AND ORDERS. 1923. No. 15.
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FACTORY AND WORKSHOP Dangerous and Unhealthy Industries.
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THE WOODWORKING MACHINERY REGULATIONS, 1923, DATED 28TH FEBRUARY, 1923, MADE BY THE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE UNDER SECTION 79 OF THE FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACT, 1901, FOR THE USE OF WOODWORKING MACHINERY.
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In pursuance of Section 79 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, and of every other power me hereunto enabling, I hereby make the following Regulations and direct that they shall apply to all factories or parts thereof and to any place to which the provisions of the said Section are applied by the said Act in which any woodworking machinery is used.
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Provided that if the Inspector of Factories is satisfied in respect of any factory or other place to which these Regulations apply that, owing to the special conditions of the work or otherwise, any of the requirements of the Regulations can be suspended or relaxed without danger to the persons employed therein, he may by certificate in writing authorise such suspension or relaxation for such period and on such conditions as he may think fit. Any such certificate may be revoked at any time.
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These Regulations may be cited as the Woodworking Machinery Regulations, 1923, and shall come into force on 1st April, 1923.
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* Definitions.
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In these Regulations—
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"Woodworking machine" means a circular saw, plain band saw, planing machine, verticle spindle moulding machine or chain mortising machine operating on wood.
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"Circular saw" means a circular saw working in a bench (including a rack bench) for the purpose of ripping, deep-cutting or cross-cutting, but does not include a swing saw or other saw which is moved towards the wood.
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"Plain band saw" means a band saw, other than a log-saw or band re-sawing machine, the cutting portion of which runs in a vertical direction.
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"Planing machine" includes a machine for overhand planing or for thicknessing or for both operations.
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"Within reach" means within 6½ feet from the floor or from any other point to which any person employed or working in a factory normally has access while the machinery is in motion.
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"Underground room" means a room any part of which is so situate that half or more than half the whole height thereof measured from the floor to the ceiling is below the surface of the footway of the adjoining street or of the ground adjoining or nearest to the room.
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* Terms to which defined meanings are given are printed throughout in italics.
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Duties.
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It shall be the duty of the occupier to observe Part I. of these Regulations.
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It shall be the duty of all persons employed to observe Part II. of these Regulations.
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Part I.—Duties of Occupiers.
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1. Every woodworking machine shall be provided with an efficient stopping and starting appliance, and the control of this appliance shall be in such a position as to be readily and conveniently operated by the person in charge of the machine.
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2. Every shaft, wheel, pulley, strap, band or other device within reach by which any part of a woodworking machine receives its motion shall be securely fenced.
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3. Sufficient clear and unobstructed space shall be maintained at every woodworking machine while in motion to enable the work to be carried on without unnecessary risk.
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4. The floor surrounding every woodworking machine shall be maintained in good and level condition, and as far as practicable free from chips or other loose material, and shall not be allowed to become slippery.
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5. Where the natural light at a woodworking machine is inadequate and can be improved by the provision of additional or better windows not involving serious structural alteration, or by whitening the walls or tops of the factory, or by any other reasonable means, the occupier shall take steps as aforesaid to improve the natural light at the said machine.
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6. The means of artificial lighting for every woodworking machine shall be adequate, and shall be so placed or shaded as to prevent direct rays of light from impinging on the eyes of the operator while he is operating such machine.
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7. After the 1st March, 1924, no woodworking machine shall be worked in any underground room which is certified by the Inspector of Factories to be unsuitable for the purpose as regards construction, light, ventilation or in any other respect.
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8. The temperature of any part of a room in which a woodworking machine is being worked shall not at any time fall below 50 degrees, except where and in so far as the construction of the room and the necessities of the business carried on make it impracticable to maintain this temperature.
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9. (a) Every person while being trained to work a wookworking machine shall be fully and carefully instructed as to the dangers arising in connection with such machine and the precautions to be observed.
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(b) No person shall be employed at a woodworking machine unless he has been sufficiently trained to work that class of machine or unless he works under the adequate supervision of a person who has a thorough knowledge of the working of the machine.
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10. Every circular saw shall be fenced as follows:—
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(a) The part of the saw below the bench table shall be protected by two plates of metal or other suitable material, one on each side of the saw; such plates shall not be more than six inches apart, and shall extend from the axis of the saw outwards to a distance of not less than two inches beyond the teeth of the saw. Metal plates, if not beaded, shall be of a thickness at least equal to 14 gauge, or, if beaded, be of a thickness at least equal to 20 gauge.
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(b) Behind and in a direct line with the saw there shall be a riving knife, which shall have a smooth surface, shall be strong, rigid, and easily adjustable, and shall also conform to the following conditions:—
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(i) The edge of the knife nearer the saw shall form an arc of a circle having a radius not exceeding the ralius of the largest saw used on the bench.
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(ii) The knife shall be maintained as close as practicable to the saw, having regard to the nature of the work being done at the time, and at the level of the bench table the distance between the front edge of the knife and teeth of the saw shall not exceed half an inch.
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(iii) For a saw of a diameter of less than 24 inches, the knife shall extend upwards from the bench table to within one inch of the top of the saw, and for a saw of a diameter of 24 inches or over shall extend upwards from the bench table to a height of at least nine inches.
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(c) The top of the saw shall be covered by a strong and easily adjustable guard, with a flange at the side of the saw farthest from the fence. The guard shall be kept so adjusted that the said flange shall extend below the roots of the teeth of the saw. The guard shall extend from the top of the riving knife to a point as low as practicable at the cutting edge of the saw.
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11. A suitable push-stick shall be kept available for use at the bench of every circular saw which is fed by hand, to enable the work to be carried on without unnecessary risk.
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12. Every plain band saw shall be guarded as follows:—
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(a) Both sides of the bottom pulley shall be completely encased by sheet metal or other suitable material.
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(b) The front of the top pulley shall be covered with sheet metal or other suitable material.
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(c) All portions of the blade shall be enclosed or otherwise securely guarded, except the portion of the blade between the bench table and the top guide.
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13. After 1st March, 1924, no planing machine, which is not mechanically fed, shall be used for overhand planing unless it is fitted with a cylindrical cutter block.
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14. No planning machine, which is not mechanically fed, shall be used for planing overhand any piece of wood less than twelve inches in length unless a safe holder is used for such piece of wood. Provided that this Regulation shall not apply to the operation of planing the edges of flat pieces of wood, nor to a planing machine which is fitted with a cylindrical cutter block.
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15. Every planing machine used for overhand planing shall be provided with a "bridge" guard capable of covering the full length and breadth of the cutting slot in the bench, and so constructed as to be easily adjusted both in a vertical and horizontal direction.
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16. The feed roller of every planing machine used for thicknessing, except the combined machine for overhand planing and thicknessing, shall be provided with an efficient guard.
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17. The cutter of every vertical spindle moulding machine shall when practicable be provided with the most efficient guard having regard to the nature of the work which is being performed.
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18. For such work as cannot be performed with an efficient guard for the cutter, the wood being moulded at a vertical spindle moulding machine, shall, if practicable, be held in a jig or holder of such construction as to reduce as far as possible the risk of accident to the worker.
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19. A suitable "spike" or push-stick shall be kept available for use at the bench of every vertical spindle moulding machine.
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20. The chain of every chain mortising machine shall be provided with a guard which shall enclose the cutters as far as practicable.
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21. The guards and other appliances required by these Regulations shall be maintained in an efficient state and shall be constantly kept in position while the machinery is in motion, except when, owing to the nature of the work being done, the use of the guards or appliances is rendered impracticable. The guards shall be so adjusted as to enable the work to be carried on without unnecessary risk.
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22. Regulations 10, 12, 15 and 16 shall not apply to any woodworking machine in respect of which it can be shown that other safeguards are provided and maintained which render the machine equally safe as it would be if guarded in the manner prescribed by these Regulations.
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Part II.—Duties of Persons Employed.
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23. Every person employed on a woodworking machine shall—
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(i) use and maintain in proper adjustment the guards provided in accordance with these Regulations;
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(ii) use the "spikes" or push-sticks and holders provided in compliance with Regulations 11, 14, 18, and 19;
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except when, owing to the nature of the work being done, the use of the guards or appliances is rendered impracticable.
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Seosamh MacGraith,
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Aire um Tiúscal agus Tráchtáil,
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Baile Átha Cliath.
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BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH,
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28th February, 1923.
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