Machine safety

The website stop-defeating.org offers cross sector information and tools both for manufacturers and users of machinery to prevent the defeating of safeguards. The content of the webpage is developed by the working group “defeating of safeguards” which consists of representatives of German social accident insurance institutions and is chaired by the institute for occupational safety and health. The content is made available in German and English alike.

In the world of machines, safeguards are of crucial importance. But what happens when these safety devices themselves become a problem? The new explanatory film is aimed at manufacturers of machines and systems and highlights the challenges associated with defeated safeguards.

The Lübzer Brewery has been dealing with an occupational safety problem well known in the food industry: When working with jointed hook wrenches, such a wrench can slip off or tilt under the application of force and cause serious injuries.

In Austria, the employee protection law provides the occupational health and safety care for all employees regardless of the size of the company. For workplaces with up to 50 employees, the Austrian Workers´ Compensation Board (AUVA) offers the preventive service called "AUVAsicher" free of charge. In 2017, more than 280 preventative specialists (occupational physicians and safety specialists) travelled throughout Austria to work with companies to develop measures to improve safety and health.

This informative brochure addresses to workers employed in sawmills (early woodworking facilities). It describes how to perform the activity in a safe way.

Working at machines may be dangerous for safety and health. Therefore, at least some basic information about dangerous points are required. This short safety instruction can be used to highlight specific aspects of handling machines at the workplace, in particular for small and medium sized enterprises.