Tool or spring balancers have many applications across all industry, their principal function is to relieve the user of the weight of the suspended load of the tool.
They are used frequently in the meat processing industry, especially in slaughter halls for ease of use of the large saws and cutting equipment required for cutting down large animal carcasses.
Issue
HSENI have recently been notified of an incident involving the failure of a tool balancer with a retractable wire cord at a meat plant in Northern Ireland.
The wire cord of the tool balancer snapped causing the suspended circular saw to fall striking the operator on the arm causing injury.
The point of failure was at the point the stop is crimped to the wire, highlighted in the diagram.
Action required
There are many types of tool balancers on the market and they have a variety of uses across industry.
They are classed as work equipment under Regulation 2 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (NI) 1999 (PUWER) and so:
they must be suitable for the purpose for which they are used
they must have an adequate maintenance and inspection regime
staff must be adequately trained to use them
they must have an adequate risk assessment in place which considers all the risks associated with the operation for which the tool balancer is being used
In relation to tool balancers and application of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (NI) 1999 (LOLER), it depends on how the equipment is being used, and the risk presented for the activity:
if a tool balancer is attached to a crane and the load is being lifted and moved, then it is an accessory for lifting and comes under LOLER
if the tool balancer is attached to a fixed overhead beam and is solely used for assistance in supporting a load over a limited range with a low risk of injury, then it wouldn't be under LOLER, but comes under PUWER in all circumstances
In light of this recent incident HSENI are reminding dutyholder's to ensure that there is an appropriate maintenance and inspection regime in place for all tool balancers on their premises.
