Machinery safety checklist

Site: ______________________ Date: ____________ Checked by: ______________________

01Guards

Every dangerous moving part is guarded or out of reach by position. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 12
Belts, pulleys, chains, gears and flywheels fully enclosed. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 12
Fixed guards secure, undamaged and need a tool to remove. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 15
Stock bars projecting past the lathe headstock guarded. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 12
No makeshift covers, tape or cardboard used as guards.

02Safety devices and controls

Interlocked guard tested: opening it stops the machine.
No interlock switches taped, wedged or bypassed.
Emergency stop tested and within reach of the operator.
Light curtains or presence detectors tested where fitted.
Power cut-off device for transmission machinery present and working. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 12(2)

03Operator and work area

Operator named on the authorised list for this machine.
Operator wearing close-fitting clothing, no jewellery, long hair tied back.
Floor around the machine clear, dry and free of offcuts.
Safe work procedure posted at the machine.

04Maintenance and lock-out

Written lock-out procedure available for this machine. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 16
Maintenance crew briefed on the lock-out procedure before starting. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 16
All energy sources isolated, including air, hydraulics and springs.
Personal lock and tag fitted by every worker on the job.
Try-start done and the machine did not move.
Repairs done only by trained maintenance technicians.

05Return to service

All guards refitted and interlocks retested before restart. WSH (GP) Regs, reg 15
Tools and rags removed from inside the machine.
All workers clear before locks come off.

Legal requirement

In Singapore, the occupier must securely fence every dangerous part of machinery. The exception is a part made safe by its position, its construction or other effective means. Guards must be substantial, maintained and kept in position while parts move (WSH (General Provisions) Regulations, regs 12 and 15). Lock-out procedures are required for inspection, cleaning, repair and maintenance, and workers must be fully instructed on them first (reg 16).

This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Laws and codes of practice change; always check the current official text and your site's own procedures.

Machinery safety checklist

01Guards

02Safety devices and controls

03Operator and work area

04Maintenance and lock-out

05Return to service

Sources and further reading

Related reading

Machinery safety: what supervisors need to know

Toolbox talk: lockout at the start of shift

Toolbox talk: compressed air safety