HSB | Engineering inspections guide - Manufacturing

Manufacturers (General)

A guide to inspection frequencies

Employers have a duty of care to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. Periodic inspections and/or thorough examinations on their plant and equipment form part of this vital duty, whilst also ensuring employer conformity to applicable health and safety legislation.

Manufacturers rely on a wide range of equipment and process plant for their day-to-day operations. Various metal and non-metal work processes may occur, depending on the type of business operation.

Plant and equipment within the workplace needs to be examined and properly maintained to ensure it is safe to operate, and that it complies with applicable health and safety legislation; requiring statutory examinations at specific intervals, which exist outside normal equipment maintenance and servicing procedures.

Regular inspections may also serve as a good preventative maintenance programme to ensure the integrity of plant and equipment; helping to minimise machinery breakdowns and production downtime.

Inspection frequencies

Different types and categories of equipment have varying inspection frequencies according to applicable health and safety legislation. Typical equipment and installations found within the manufacturing industry are listed below, together with the applicable legislation.

UK

Lifting

Applicable legislation (1)	Type of manufacturer	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months)
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998	Metal works and non-metal works	Blocks (manual/powered)	12
		Jib crane (manual/powered)	12
		Forklift truck	12
		Forklift truck: lifting attachments	12
		Trolley	12
		Miscellaneous lifting accessories	6
		Mobile elevating work platform (MEWP)	6
		Overhead travelling crane	12
		Vacuum lifter	6
		Lifting magnet	6

(1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable.

Boiler/Pressure

Applicable legislation (1)	Equipment type	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) (2)
Pressure System Safety Regulations 2000	Metal works and non-metal works	Steam boiler	14
		Steam vessels	14/26
		Other pressure vessels	13-120
		Refrigeration system (>25kW)	60
		Air/oil receiver	72
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998	Metal works and non-metal works	Compressed air vessel	12

(1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable. (2) Examination intervals for statutory pressure systems are dictated by a Written Scheme of Examination; a legal document that details the items within the pressure system, including protective devices, and outlines the inspection frequency and requirements.

Power Presses

Equipment category	Applicable legislation (1)	Equipment type	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months)
Power presses: cold metal forming (2)	Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998: Safe use of power presses	Metal works	Mechanical power press	6/12
			Mechanical press brake	6/12
Other power presses	Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998	Metal works and non-metal works	Hydraulic power press	6/12
			Hydraulic press brake	6/12
			Pneumatic press	6/12
		Non-metal works	Mechanical power press	6/12
			Mechanical press brake	6/12
			Process machinery with guards (e.g. guillotine, injection moulding machine, etc.)	6/12

(1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable. (2) Inspection frequencies for mechanical power presses specifically used for cold metal forming processes are covered by PUWER: Safe use of power presses; typically every 6 or 12 months depending on the type of guard on the power press.

Electrical/Mechanical Plant

Applicable legislation (1)	Equipment type	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months)
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998	Metal works and non-metal works	Hot water boiler (<100ºC)	12
		Air conditioning units (<25kW)	12
		Process machinery	12
		General mechanical and electrical plant (e.g. motors, pumps)	12

(1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable.

Local Exhaust Ventilation

Applicable legislation (1)	Equipment type	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months)
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002	Metal works	Shot blast unit	1/6
		Dust extraction	6/14 (2)
		Fume extraction	6/14 (2)
	Non-metal works	Dust extraction	14
		Fume extraction	14

(1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable. (2) 6-month frequency if used for more than 12 hours per week. Otherwise, a 14-month frequency.

Electrical Systems

Applicable legislation (1)	Equipment type	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) (2)
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989	Metal works and non-metal works	Low voltage electrical installations	36
		Portable appliances	12

(1) For Northern Ireland, similar statutory equipment legislation is applicable. (2) The frequency of period inspection for electrical systems, installations and equipment covered by EAWR is dependent on the type and use of the installation, the quality and frequency of maintenance and any external influences which the installation may be subject to.

Ireland

Lifting

Applicable legislation	Type of manufacturer	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months)
S.I. No. 299 of 2007: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007	Metal works and non-metal works	Blocks (manual/powered)	12
		Jib crane (manual/powered)	12
		Forklift truck	12
		Forklift truck: lifting attachments	12
		Trolley	12
		Miscellaneous lifting accessories	6
		Mobile elevating work platform (MEWP)	6
		Overhead travelling crane	12
		Vacuum lifter	6
		Lifting magnet	6

Boiler/Pressure

Applicable legislation	Equipment type	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months)
S.I. No. 445 of 2012: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2012	Metal works and non-metal works	Steam boiler	14
		Steam vessels	14/26
		Other pressure vessels	13/120
		Refrigeration system (>25kW)	60
		Air/oil receiver	72
S.I. No. 299 of 2007 (Regulation 30): Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007	Metal works and non-metal works	Compressed air vessel	12

Power Presses

Equipment category	Applicable legislation	Equipment type	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) (1)
Power presses: cold metal forming	S.I. No. 299 of 2007: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007	Metal works	Mechanical power press	6/12
			Mechanical press brake	6/12
Other power presses	S.I. No. 299 of 2007: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007	Metal works and non-metal works	Hydraulic power press	6/12
			Hydraulic press brake	6/12
			Pneumatic press	6/12
		Non-metal works	Mechanical power press	6/12
			Mechanical press brake	6/12
			Process machinery with guards (e.g. guillotine, injection moulding machine, etc.)	6/12

(1) Depending on the type of guard on the power press.

Electrical/Mechanical Plant

Applicable legislation	Equipment type	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months)
S.I. No. 299 of 2007 (Regulation 30): Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007	Metal works and non-metal works	Hot water boiler (<100ºC)	12
		Air conditioning units (<25kW)	12
		Process machinery	12
		General mechanical and electrical plant (e.g. motors, pumps)	12

Local Exhaust Ventilation

Applicable legislation	Equipment type	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months) (1)
Health & Safety Authority: Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Guidance document	Metal works	Shot blast unit	12
		Dust extraction	12
		Fume extraction	12
	Non-metal works	Dust extraction	12
		Fume extraction	12

(1) Unless specified otherwise by the manufacturer.

Electrical Systems

Applicable legislation	Equipment type	Typical equipment	Inspection/thorough examination frequency (months)
S.I. No. 299 of 2007 (Part 3): Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007	Metal works and non-metal works	Low voltage electrical installations	36 - Industrial (1)
			60 - Commercial (1)
		Portable appliances	3-60 (2)

(1) Unless specified otherwise by a risk assessment/the manufacturer. (2) A general guide, unless specified otherwise by a risk assessment/the manufacturer.

How HSB can help

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