During the use of woodworking machines, one must not neglect the risk of cuts or of being caught by the machine. Guerrini e Bardelli conducted a risk analysis and with it renewed the protection systems of the machines.

The task

In small carpentry shops, the workers undertake almost all the tasks except those for which special qualifications and training are required. Among other things, specific machines are used for the production of frames.

The risk

The machines and tools used to make frames expose the workers to risks of lesions by cutting or of being caught by the machine. This risk, which is serious, is linked specifically to the activity, and the damage in the case of accidents, at equal probability, is also very high.

The solution and the method

The solution implemented resulted directly from the analysis of the risks and from general protection principles. After identification of the danger and risk zones of the machines, the necessary protection systems for these machines were identified. The discussions with the employees directly involved were considered the reference point for the implementation of the solutions.

The method used to identify the risk factors was integrated in the risk-evaluation document. The evaluation method used concerned the inspection of the machines by comparing the good technique norms with a particular reference to the norms provided by the directive on the machines.

This led to the replacement of the previous safety systems, in place since their manufacture, by more adequate devices that could be used without interfering with the work (which was often a matter of discussion with the employees). These solutions were illustrated during the frequent training courses and at each meeting with all of the staff. In particular, the services of the technician and the collaboration with the organization Federimpresa (the local professional association of the craftsmen) enabled the proposed solutions to be actually implemented.

The effectiveness of the results

The risks have reduced, partly because access to the danger zones was restricted or prohibited. The implemented solutions can be applied to other organization of the same sector.

The participation of the workers

The workers were involved both in the analysis and evaluation of the risks and in the implementation of the solutions.

The costs and benefits

At present, it is not yet possible to establish exactly the reduction in the number of accidents. The balance will only be able to be drawn up in three years. The communication and the relations among the workers have been improved. Greater collaboration has been established among the workers as regards safety procedures in the workplace adopted by the company, particularly because the consultant and the managers involved the employees in the internal meetings.

Entrepreneur’s testimony "The principal objective of our company is to reduce the number of accidents so that the employees can work “calmly” with the awareness that their safety is actually being taken into consideration."