Say this
- Guards stay on. The law says fencing on dangerous machine parts must be kept in position while the parts move (WSH (General Provisions) Regs, reg 15). If a guard is missing or broken, stop and report it.
- Never reach into a machine that can start. Clearing a jam is maintenance. Follow the lock-out procedure: isolate, lock, tag, then test that it will not start. The occupier must have these procedures and brief you on them (General Provisions Regs, reg 16).
- Look for pinch points. Doors, tailgates, rollers, chains and loads being lowered all close on fingers. Keep hands on the outside of the load.
- Use a push stick, a clamp or a tool to hold small work. Do not hold it with your fingers near a blade or bit.
- Gloves protect against cuts, heat and chemicals. Pick the glove for the job. But never wear gloves near rotating parts like drills and lathes. A glove can be caught and pull your hand in.
- Take off rings and watches on the job. A ring caught on a hook or edge can strip a finger.
- Report every hand injury and near miss, even a small cut. Small ones show where the big one will happen.
Ask the crew
- What are the steps before you clear a jam in a machine?
- When should you not wear gloves?
- Where are the pinch points on the job you are doing today?
- What do you do if you find a guard removed?
Show them
- Show a lock-out kit: lock, tag and hasp, and where the isolation point is for one machine on site.
- Hold up two gloves, a cut-resistant one and a chemical one, and say which job each is for.
- Point out a guard on a machine and show how to check it is in place before starting.
Sign-off
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
Sources
- Speech by MOS Zaqy Mohamad at the Safe Hands Campaign 2019 launch, Ministry of Manpower.
- Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations, Singapore Statutes Online (AGC).
- Safety alert: Safe use of emery cloth, HSE for Northern Ireland.
- Choosing the right gloves to protect skin: a guide for employers, UK HSE.
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.
