This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

WorkSafeBC

Subscribe to E-News

banner image

Part 12 Tools, Machinery and Equipment

See what's new!

General Requirements

12.2 Safeguarding requirement

Unless elsewhere provided for in this Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, the employer must ensure that machinery and equipment is fitted with adequate safeguards which

(a) protect a worker from contact with hazardous power transmission parts,

(b) ensure that a worker cannot access a hazardous point of operation, and

(c) safely contain any material ejected by the work process which could be hazardous to a worker.

12.3 Standards

The application, design, construction and use of safeguards, including an opening in a guard and the reach distance to a hazardous part, must meet the requirements of CSA Standard Z432-94, Safeguarding of Machinery.

       [Enacted by B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

* See also section 4.4 of the OHS Regulation.

 

12.4 Effectiveness of safeguards

A safeguard must be capable of effectively performing its intended function.

12.5 Fixed guards

A fixed guard must not be modified to be readily removable without the use of tools.

12.6 Lubrication

A guard must be designed, where practicable, to allow lubrication and routine maintenance without removal of the guard.

12.7 Opening and reach distance

Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

* See sections 4.4, and 12.3 of the OHS Regulation.

 

12.8 Lockout

Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

* See sections 10.2, and 10.3 of the OHS Regulation.
12.9 Safe operation

Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

* See section 4.3 of the OHS Regulation.
12.10 Identifying unsafe equipment

An unsafe tool, machine or piece of equipment must be removed from service and identified in a manner which will ensure it is not inadvertently returned to service until it has been made safe for use.

Note: The procedure for determining whether the tool, machine or piece of equipment is unsafe for use is provided by the requirements on the correction of unsafe conditions and refusal of unsafe work in Part 3 (Rights and Responsibilities).

12.11 Operating controls

(1) Powered equipment other than portable powered tools or mobile equipment must have

(a) starting and stopping controls located within easy reach of the operator,

(b) controls and switches clearly identified to indicate the functions they serve,

(c) controls positioned, designed or shielded as necessary to prevent inadvertent activation,

(d) if two-hand controls are installed, controls designed to require concurrent use of both hands to operate the equipment, and to require both controls to be released before another machine cycle can be initiated, and

(e) control systems meeting the requirements of this Regulation.

(2) Portable powered tools and mobile equipment must have operating controls conforming to an appropriate standard acceptable to the Board.

12.12 Machinery location

A machine must be located or safeguarded so that operation of the machine will not endanger workers using normal passage routes about the workplace or operating an adjacent machine.

12.13 Marking physical hazards

A physical hazard must be marked in a manner that clearly identifies the hazard to the affected workers.

Note: The following standards provide guidance for the effective identification of hazards:
(a) CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z321-96, Signs and Symbols for the Workplace;
(b) ANSI Standard Z535.1-1991, Safety Color Code;
(c) ANSI Standard Z535.2-1991, Environmental and Facility Safety Signs;
(d) ISO Standard 3864:1984, Safety Colours and Safety Signs.

12.14 Identification of piping

(1) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

* See section 5.11 of the OHS Regulation.

(2) A piping system containing substances other than controlled products must be identified in a manner known to the affected workers.

(3) The identification markings on a piping system must be maintained in a legible condition.

Note: A piping system operating at a pressure exceeding 100 kPa gauge (15 psig) is generally governed by the Power Engineers and Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act and the regulations made under it. CGSB Standard CAN/CGSB-24.3-92, Identification of Piping Systems may be used for compliance with subsection (2).

       [Amended by B.C. Reg. 312/2003, effective October 29, 2003.]

12.15 Restraining devices

Effective means of restraint must be used

(a) on a connection of a hose or a pipe if inadvertent disconnection could be dangerous to a worker,

(b) if unplanned movement of an object or component could endanger a worker, or

(c) to secure an object from falling and endangering a worker.

Back to Top



You can return to the Top of this page

Disclaimer: The Workers' Compensation Board of B.C. ("WorkSafeBC") publishes the online version of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation ("OHS Regulation") in accordance with its mandate under the Workers Compensation Act to provide information and promote public awareness of occupational health and safety matters. The online OHS Regulation is not the official version of the OHS Regulation, which may be purchased from Crown Publications.

WorkSafeBC endeavours to update the online OHS Regulation as soon as possible following any legislative amendments. However, WorkSafeBC does not warrant the accuracy or the completeness of the online OHS Regulation, and neither WorkSafeBC nor its board of directors, employees or agents shall be liable to any person for any loss or damage of any nature, whether arising out of negligence or otherwise, arising from the use of the online OHS Regulation.

Employers are legally obligated to make a copy of the Workers' Compensation Act and the OHS Regulation readily available for review by workers. The circumstances under which WorkSafeBC may consider an employer's providing access to electronic versions of the Act and OHS Regulation to have satisfied this obligation are described in Guideline G-D3-115(2)(f).