An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a machinery risk assessment is
A machinery risk assessment examines the dangers of work equipment — moving parts, entanglement, crushing, cutting, ejected material, noise and electrical risks — and records the guarding, safe systems, training and maintenance that control them.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what their machinery assessment must cover.
Purpose
- Identify mechanical and other dangers of the machine.
- Record guarding, interlocks and protective devices.
- Address safe operation, setting, cleaning and maintenance.
- Ensure only trained, authorised people operate it.
Who completes it
- A competent person appointed by the employer.
- With input from operators and maintenance staff.
- Reviewed within the organisation’s own process.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the assessor is competent.
When it is used
- Before a machine is introduced or modified.
- When the machine, task or guarding changes.
- After a fault, near miss or injury.
- On a review cycle defined by the employer.
Typical fields
- Machine, location and tasks.
- Dangers — moving parts, entanglement, ejection, noise.
- Guarding, interlocks and emergency stops.
- Safe operation, setting, cleaning and maintenance.
- Training, authorisation and review date.
- Example fields only — adapt to the machine and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Removing or defeating guards and interlocks.
- Cleaning or clearing blockages while the machine runs.
- Untrained people operating or setting the machine.
- No safe isolation for maintenance.
Document workflow
A machinery risk assessment underpins the safe system of work, operating instructions and the lock-out tag-out procedure for maintenance. It links to noise and PPE assessments and maintenance records; a change or incident triggers a review.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with a machinery risk assessment.
Retention (high level)
Machinery assessments and maintenance records are generally kept for as long as they are relevant and for a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Machinery assessments are commonly completed and stored as PDFs alongside operating instructions and maintenance records. Exporting to PDF supports documentation; it does not make the assessment official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Provide and maintain suitable guarding and interlocks.
- Establish safe isolation for cleaning and maintenance.
- Train and authorise operators and setters.
- Review after changes, faults or injuries.
Worker notes
- Never remove or bypass guards or interlocks.
- Isolate the machine before cleaning or clearing blockages.
- Report missing guards, faults or unsafe practices.
Country considerations
Duties around work equipment, guarding and inspection vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a document is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing and controlling machinery risks and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your assessment must contain, does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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