Woodworking Machinery Rules, 1959

Jurisdiction: Tanzania
Citation: Government Notice 253 of 1959
Date: 31 July 2002
Language: English
Type: Legislation
Download: Download PDF (256.5 KB)

Tanzania

Woodworking Machinery Rules, 1959

Government Notice 253 of 1959

Published in Tanzania Government Gazette
Commenced on 20 November 1959
[This is the version of this document at 31 July 2002.]
[Note: This legislation has been thoroughly revised and consolidated under the supervision of the Attorney General's Office, in compliance with the Laws Revision Act No. 7 of 1994, the Revised Laws and Annual Revision Act (Chapter 356 (R.L.)), and the Interpretation of Laws and General Clauses Act No. 30 of 1972. This version is up-to-date as at 31st July 2002.]

[Section 55]

Part I – Preliminary provisions (rules 1-4)

1. Title

These Rules may be cited as the Woodworking Machinery Rules.

2. Application

These Rules shall apply to all factory premises or parts of it in which woodworking machinery is used.

3. Duties

(1)It shall be the duty of the occupier of all factory premises to which these Rules apply to comply with Part I of these Rules.

(2)It shall be the duty of all persons employed on a woodworking machine in factory premises to which these Rules apply to observe Part II of these Rules.

4. Interpretation

In these Rules—"circular saw" means a circular saw working in a bench (including a rack bench) for the purpose of ripping, deep cutting or cross cutting;"plain band saw" means a band saw, other than a log or band re-sawing machine, the cutting portion of which runs in a vertical direction;"planing machine" includes a machine for overhand planning or thicknessing;"woodworking machine" includes a circular saw, plain band saw, planing machine, vertical spindle moulding machine, chain mortising machine and routing machine operating on wood.

Part II – Woodworking requirements and precautions (rules 5-19)

5. Floors

The floor of every saw mill, joinery shop or other place in which woodworking machines are used shall be constructed of concrete or wood and shall be level and of sound construction and properly maintained; and the floor surrounding every woodworking machine shall be maintained in good and level condition and as far as practicable free from chips and other loose material and shall not be allowed to become slippery.

6. Lighting

Adequate means of lighting whether natural or artificial shall be provided for every woodworking machine and in the case of artificial lighting it shall be so placed or shaded to prevent direct or reflected glare. When the natural light at any woodworking machine is inadequate and can be improved by the provision of additional windows or roof lights not involving serious structural alterations, the occupier shall take action to improve the natural lighting.

7. Training

(1)Every person while being trained to work a woodworking machine shall be fully and carefully instructed as to the dangers arising in connection with such machines and the precautions to be taken in their operation.

(2)No person shall be employed at woodworking machine unless he has been sufficiently trained to work that class of machine or unless he works under the supervision of a person who has a thorough knowledge of the working of the machine.

8. Circular saws

Every circular saw shall be fenced to the following standard—

(a)the part of the saw below the bench table shall be protected by two plates of metal or other suitable material situated one at each side of the saw; such plates shall not be more than six inches apart and shall extend from the axis of the saw outward to a distance of not less than two inches beyond the teeth of the largest saw used; and the metal plates shall be strong and rigid;

(b)behind and in direct line with the saw there shall be fitted a suitable riving knife which shall have a smooth surface and shall be strong, rigid and easily adjustable. It shall also comply with the following conditions—

(i)the edge of the riving knife nearest the saw shall form an arch of a circle having a radius not exceeding the radius of the largest saw used in the bench;

(ii)the riving knife shall be maintained as close as practicable to the saw having regard to the nature of the work being done, and at the level of the bench table the distance between the front edge of the riving knife and the teeth of the saw shall not exceed half an inch;

(iii)for a circular saw of a diameter of less than twenty-four 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 greater than twenty-four inches shall extend upwards from the bench table to a height of at least nine inches;

(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, and the guard shall extend from the top of the riving knife to a point as low as practicable to the cutting edge of the saw.

9. Push stick

A suitable push stick or other device 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 out without unnecessary risk.

10. Band saws

Every plain band saw shall be guarded as follows:

(a)both sides of the bottom pulley shall be completely encased by sheet metal or other suitable material;

(b)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.

11. Planing machines

Every planing machine used for overhand planing shall be provided with an efficient "bridge" guard capable of covering the full length and breadth of the cutting gap in the bench and shall be so constructed as to be easily adjusted both in a vertical and horizontal direction; and a cover guard shall be provided for the part of the cutter situated at the back of the guide fence.

12. Restriction on overhand planing

No planing machine which is not mechanically fed shall be used for overhand planing unless it is fitted with a cylindrical cutter block.

13. Feed rollers

The feed roller of every planing machine used for the thicknessing, except the combined machine for overhand planing and thicknessing, shall be provided with an efficient guard.

14. Cutters

The cutter of every vertical spindle moulding machine shall be provided with the most efficient guard having regard to the nature of the work which is being carried out.

15. Vertical spindle moulding machine

For any work which cannot be carried out with an efficient guard for the cutter, the wood being moulded 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 operator.

16. Spike or push stick

A suitable "spike" or push stick shall be kept available for use at the bench of every vertical spindle moulding machine.

17. Routing machine

The cutter or bit of every routing machine shall, when practicable, be provided with a guard capable of adjustment in a vertical direction; and for operations which cannot be carried out with an efficient guard in position, the wood being routed should if practicable, be held in a jig or holder so constructed as to reduce as far as possible the risk of accident to the operator.

18. Chain mortising machines

The chain of every chain mortising machine shall be provided with a guard which shall enclose the cutters as far as is practicable.

19. Use of guards or appliances

The guards and other appliances required by these Rules 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 kept so adjusted as to enable the work to be carried on without unnecessary risk.

Part III – Duties of persons employed on woodworking machines (rule 20)

20. Duties of employed persons

Every person employed on a woodworking machine shall—

(a)use and maintain in proper adjustment the guards provided in accordance with these Rules;

(b)use the spikes, push sticks, jigs or holders provided in compliance with these Rules,

except when, owing to the nature of the work being done, the use of the guards or other appliances is rendered impracticable.

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History of this document

31 July 2002 this version

Consolidation

20 November 1959

Commenced