Work safely with machines

Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.

Includes more generally used small electrical and mechanical tools like drills, manual sawing machines, washing machines, sewing machines, etc. that are also used in non professional environment.

work safely with machinery
handle machines cautiously
work with machines safely
operate equipment according to safety standards

skill/competence

cross-sector

Work safely with machines is essential to master the following skills:

Work with respect for own safety

Work safely with machines is an essential skill of the following occupations:

Table saw operator: Table saw operators work with industrial saws that cut with a rotating circular blade. The saw is built into a table. The operator sets the height of the saw to control the depth of the cut. Particular attention is paid to safety, as factors such as natural stresses within the wood may produce unpredictable forces.
Tissue paper perforating and rewinding operator: Tissue paper perforating and rewinding operators tend a machine that takes in tissue paper, perforates it, and rolls it up to create various types of sanitary paper.
High rigger: High riggers assemble and hoist temporary suspension structures on heights to support performance equipment. Their work is based on instruction, plans and calculations. Their job can include rope access, working above colleagues, assemble constructions to lift performers and lifting heavy loads, which makes it a high risk occupation. They work indoor as well as outdoor. They cooperate with ground riggers to unload and assemble constructions on ground level.
Veneer slicer operator: Veneer slicer operators slice lumber into thin sheets to be used as a cover for other materials, such as particle board or fibre board. Veneer slicers may use various machines to obtain different cuts of wood: a rotary lathe to produce cuts peripendicular to the growth rings, a slicing machine to create plank-like cuts, or a half-round lathe which gives the operator the freedom to make a selection of the most interesting cuts.
Greaser: Greasers make sure industrial machines are properly lubricated to maintain operations. They use grease guns to oil machines. Greasers also perform basic maintenance and repair duties.
Paper cutter operator: Paper cutter operators tend a machine that cuts paper to the desired size and shape. Paper cutters may also cut and perforate other materials that come in sheets, such as metal foil.
Dresser: Dressers assist and support artists before, during and after the performance to ensure the performers costumes are in line with the artistic vision of the director and the artistic team. They ensure the costume quality, maintain, check and repair costumes and assist with quick costume changes.

 
Construction scaffolding supervisor: Construction scaffolding supervisors plan and supervise the transport, assembly, disassembly and maintenance of the structures. They also ensure the safety of the scaffolds, support structures, access ladders and fenders.
Set builder: Set builders construct, build, prepare, adapt and maintain scenic elements used on stage and for filming movies or television programs. They use a wide variety of materials like wood, steel, aluminium and plastics. Their work is based on artistic vision, scale models, sketches and plans. They work in close cooperation with the designers and may build exibition stands for fairs, carnavals and other events.
Paper pulp moulding operator: Paper pulp moulding operators tend a machine that moulds paper pulp in various shapes, usually for use in lightweight but sturdy packaging material, such as egg boxes.
Wood sander: Wood sanders smoothen the surface of a wooden object using various sanding instruments. Each applies an abrasive surface, usually sandpaper, to the workpiece to remove irregularities.
Bleacher operator: Bleacher operators tend a machine that bleaches wood pulp to serve in the production of white paper. Different bleaching techniques are used to complement the various pulping methods, and to obtain different grades of whiteness.
Planer thicknesser operator: Planer thicknesser operators use machinery to shave wood planks to a uniform thickness. The machine usually planes both sides of the plank in one operation. They feed the plank into the machine carefully to prevent excess planing at the edge known as ‘snipe’.
Bindery operator: Bindery operators tend machines that bind printed or unprinted paper into volumes using staples, twine, glue or other binding technologies.
Paper machine operator: Paper machine operators tend a machine that takes in pulp slurry, spread it out over a screen, and drains out the water. The drained slurry is then pressed and dried to produce paper.
Stage machinist: Stage machinists manipulate sets and other elements in a performance based on the artistic or creative concept, in interaction with the performers. Their work is influenced by and influences the results of other operators. Therefore, the stage machinists work closely together with the designers, operators and performers. Stage machinists prepare and perform the setup, execute changeovers and operate manual fly bar systems. Their work is based on plans, instructions and calculations.
Plastic products assembler: Plastic products assemblers fit and fasten parts and finished plastic products according to strictly-defined procedures. Plastic products assemblers may also cut and shape plastic parts using hand, power, and machine tools.
Debarker operator: Debarker operators operate debarking machines to strip harvested trees of their bark. The tree is fed into the machine, after which the bark is stripped using abrasion or cutting.
Maintenance and repair engineer: Maintenance and repair engineers focus on the optimization of equipment, procedures, machineries and infrastructure. They ensure their maximum availability at minimum costs.
Envelope maker: Envelope makers tend a machine that takes in paper and executes the steps to creat envelopes: cut and fold the paper and glue it, then apply a weaker food-grade glue to the flap of the envelope for the consumer to seal it.
Event scaffolder: Event scaffolders set up and dismantle temporary seating, stages and structures to support performance equipment, artists and audience. Their job can include rope access, working above colleagues and lifting heavy loads, which makes it a high risk occupation. Their work is based on instruction, plans and calculations. They work indoors as well as outdoors.
Wood fuel pelletiser: Wood fuel pelletisers operate a hammer mill to turn wood waste products into pellets for use as fuel. The milled product is afterward pressed through a die, producing the standardised shape and size of a pellet.
Paper stationery machine operator: Paper stationery machine operators work with machines that perform one or more operations on paper to make it suitable for specific markets, such as punching holes, perforating, creasing, and collating with a carbon coated sheet.
Froth flotation deinking operator: Froth flotation deinking operators tend a tank that takes in recycled paper and mixes it with water. The solution is brought to a temperature around 50°C Celsius, after which air bubbles are blown into the tank. The air bubbles lift ink particles to the surface of the suspension and form a froth that is then removed.
Instrument technician: Instrument technicians assist and support musicians before, during and after the performance to ensure the instruments and the connected equipment, the backline, are setup properly. They maintain, check, tune and repair instruments and assist with quick changes.
 
Paper bag machine operator: Paper bag machine operators tend a machine that takes in paper, folds it and glues it to produce paper bags of various sizes, shapes, and grades of strength.
Prop maker: Prop makers construct, build, prepare, adapt and maintain props used on stage and for filming movies or television programs. Props may be simple imitations of real life objects, or may include electronic, pyrotechnical, or other effects. Their work is based on artistic vision, sketches and plans. They work in close cooperation with the designers involved in the production.
Head of workshop: Heads of workshop coordinate specialised workshops that construct, build, prepare, adapt and maintain elements used on stage. Their work is based on artistic vision, schedules and overall production documentation. They liaise with the designers involved in the production, the production team and other services of the organisation.
Wood boring machine operator: Wood boring machine operators use milling machines or specialise boring jigs to cut holes in wood workpieces. Wood boring differs from routing mainly in that the main movement is into the workpiece as opposed to across its surface.
Wood products assembler: Wood products assemblers put together products from premade pieces of wood. They operate machines, often hydraulic, that bind the various elements of a product together using joints, glue or other fasteners. Assemblers put the elements in place, operate the machine and look out for problems.
Sawmill operator: Sawmill operators work with automated lumber mill equipment which saws timber into rough lumber. They also handle various sawing machines which further process the lumber in various shapes and sizes. These processes are nowadays often computer controlled.
Wash deinking operator: Wash deinking operators operate a tank where recycled paper is mixed with water and dispersants to wash out printing inks. The solution, called a pulp slurry, is then dewatered to flush out the dissolved inks.
Tent installer: Tent installers set up and dismantle temporary shelters, tents and circus tents with the associated accommodation for events and performances. Their work is based on instruction, plans and calculations. They work mostly outdoors and can be assisted by local crew.
Laminating machine operator: Laminating machine operators tend a machine that applies a plastic layer to paper to strenghten it and protect it from wetness and stains.
Chipper operator: Chipper operators tend machines that chip wood into small pieces for use in particle board, for further processing into pulp, or for use in its own right. Wood is fed into the chipper and shredded or crushed using a variety of mechanisms.
Wood pallet maker: Wood pallet makers create wood pallets for use in storage, shipping and manipulation of goods. Pallet makers operate a machine that takes in usually low-grade softwood planks treated with heat or chemicals and nails them together. The material and shape of the pallets, the treatment methods, and the number and pattern of nails used are all highly standardised to make exchange of used pallets possible.
Band saw operator: Band saw operators work with industrial saws that feature a continuous flexible blade revolving around two or more wheels. Band saws are most effective at producing irregular shapes.
Woodturner: Woodturners use a lathe to remove superfluous material from wood. The lathe turns the workpiece around its axis, as shape tools are used to obtain the desired shape.
Stage technician: Stage technicians control different aspects of a performance based on the artistic or creative concept, in interaction with the performers. They prepare and perform the setup, program the equipment and operate various  systems. Stage technicians take care of lighting, sound, video, sets and/or fly systems. Their work is based on plans, instructions and calculations. They can work in small venues, theatres and other small artistic productions.
Rubber products machine operator: Rubber products machine operators operate machines which knead, blend, calender, mould, extrude and cure rubber products from natural and synthetic rubber. They measure the ingredients for mixing and load them into the machine. Rubber products machine operators monitor and control the tempature, pressure and speed during production.
Costume maker: Costume makers construct, sew, stitch, dye, adapt and maintain costumes to be used in live performances and in movies or television programs. Their work is based on artistic vision, sketches or finished patterns combined with knowledge of the human body to ensure the wearer maximum range of movement. They work in close cooperation with the designers.
 
Pulp technician: Pulp technicians perform technical tasks in the production of pulp. They work in pulp production teams where they maintain machines, resolve technical malfunctions and ensure the production process runs according to specifications.
Prop master/prop mistress: Prop masters/mistresses setup, prepare, check and maintain objects used on stage by actors or other small movable objects called props. They cooperate with road crew to unload, set up and prepare the props. During a performance they position props, hand them over or take them back from the actors.
Mask maker: Mask makers construct, adapt and maintain masks for live performances. They work from sketches, pictures and artistic visions combined with knowledge of the human body to ensure the wearer maximum range of movement. They work in close cooperation with the designers.
Engineered wood board machine operator: Engineered wood board machine operators work with machines to bond particles or fibres made from wood or cork. Various industrial glues or resins are applied to obtain fibre board, particle board or cork board.
Print folding operator: Print folding operators tend a machine that folds paper and bundles of paper.
Digester operator: Digester operators, or cooks, cook wood chips with soda ash or acid to separate the wood pulp from unwanted constituents. They test the resulting solution.
Absorbent pad machine operator: Absorbent pad machine operators tend a machine that takes in cellulose fibres and compresses them to a highly absorbent pad material for use in hygienic products such as diapers and tampons.
Ground rigger: Ground riggers assist level riggers assembling temporary suspension structures to support performance equipment. Their work is based on instruction and plans. They work indoor as well as outdoor. They cooperate closely with high riggers.
 
Nailing machine operator: Nailing machine operators work with machines that nail wooden elements together, usually hydraulically. They put the elements to be nailed in the right position, and monitor the process to prevent downtime.
Pulp control operator: Pulp control operators operate and monitor multi-function process control machinery and equipment to control the processing of wood, scrap pulp, recycable paper and other cellulose materials in the production of pulp. They set up, operate and maintain the machinery, analyse the production results and adjust the process when necessary.
Stagehand: Stagehands assist stage technicians setting up and preparing equipment for live performance. Their work includes setting up the scenery, lights, sound, props, rigging, and special effects for a production.
 
Wood router operator: Wood router operators work with industrial routers to cut wood into the desired shape. Routers have a routing head that moves over the wood, going up and down to regulate the depth of the incision. Contemporary industrial wood routers usually are computer controlled for extremely fine and consistent results.
Dismantling worker: Dismantling workers perform the dismantling of industrial equipment, machinery and buildings as instructed by the team leader. They use heavy machinery and different power tools depending on the task. At all times safety regulations are taken into account.
Corrugator operator: Corrugator operators tend a machine which folds a sheet of heavy paper in a wave-like pattern and covers it on both sides to create a lightweight, sturdy material suitable for packaging.
Paperboard products assembler: Paperboard products assemblers construct the components or parts made from paperboard according to strictly laid down procedures. They assemble products such as tubes, spools, cardboard boxes, paper plates and craft boards.

Work safely with machines is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this skill may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Puppet designer: Puppet designers design and create puppets and manipulable objects for performers. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. Therefore, the designers work closely with artistic directors, operators and the artistic team. Puppet designers make puppets and manipulable objects out of a variety of materials, and may build robotic elements into them. Puppet designers sometimes also work as autonomous artists, creating outside a performance context.
 
Construction scaffolder: Construction scaffolders put up scaffolds and platforms in order to make safe construction work at heights possible.
Factory hand: Factory hands assist machine operators and product assemblers. They clean the machines and the working areas. Factory hands make sure supplies and materials are replenished.
Engineered wood board grader: Engineered wood board graders inspect finished engineered wood products for quality issues such as inclomplete gluing, warping or blemishing. They also test load bearing qualities of the wood. Graders sort products for quality according to guidelines.
Pulp grader: Pulp graders grade paper pulp based on a number of possible criteria, such as pulping process, raw materials, bleaching methods, yield, and fibre length.
Electromechanical engineering technician: Electromechanical engineering technicians collaborate with electromechanical engineers in the development of electromechanical equipment. Electromechanical engineering technicians are responsible for building, installing, testing, monitoring, and maintaining the electromechanical equipment, circuits and systems. They test this by the use of test instruments such as oscilloscopes and voltmeters. Electromechanical engineering technicians also use soldering equipment and hand tools to repair electromechanical equipment.
Set designer: Set designers develop a set concept for a performance and supervise the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. Therefore, the designers work closely with artistic directors, operators and the artistic team. During rehearsals and performance they coach the operators to obtain optimal timing and manipulation. Set designers develop sketches, design drawings, models, plans or other documentation to support the workshop and performance crew. They may also design exhibition stands for fairs and other events. 
Miniature set designer: Miniature set designers design and build miniature props and sets of motion pictures. They build models used for visual effects that meet the look and requirements of the production Miniature set designers cut material using hand tools to construct three-dimensional props and sets.
Pyrotechnic designer: Pyrotechnic designers develop a pyrotechnical design concept for a performance and supervise the execution of it. Their work is based on research and artistic vision. Their design is influenced by and influences other designs and must be conform with these designs and the overall artistic vision. Therefore, the pyrotechnic designers work closely with artistic directors, operators and the artistic team. During rehearsals and performance they coach the operators to obtain optimal timing and manipulation. Pyrotechnic designers develop plans, cue lists and other documentation to support the operators and production crew. Pyrotechnic designers sometimes also work as autonomous artists, creating pyrotechnical art outside a performance context.
Lumber grader: Lumber graders inspect lumber, or wood cut into planks. They test the lumber, look for irregularities and grade the wood based on quality and desirability of the pattern.
Veneer grader: Veneer graders inspect slices of veneer for quality. They look for irregularities, blemishes and production errors, and grade the slices for the desirability of the patterns.
Product grader: Product graders perform preventive and operational quality control on products and rescources. They inspect, grade and evaluate the materials at various stages to make sure it conforms to the desired standard, and send the product back for repair or improvement if necessary. They work in companies and industrial facilities to ensure the produced commodities achieve quality standards.
Theatre technician: Theatre technicians execute all technical tasks to support live performances. They build and break down stages and decors, install and operate sound, light, recording and video equipment and organise the transport of decors and technical equipment for performances on displacement.

References

1. Work safely with machines – ESCO