S.I. No. 203/1972:

FACTORIES (WOODWORKING MACHINERY) REGULATIONS, 1972.

FACTORIES (WOODWORKING MACHINERY) REGULATIONS, 1972.

ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS.

PART I.

PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL

Regulation

1. Short title and Commencement.

2. Interpretation.

3. Application.

4. Exemptions.

PART II.

WOODWORKING MACHINES--GENERAL.

5. Provision and construction of guards.

6. Adjustment of machines and guards.

7. Use and maintenance of guards, etc.

8. Exception from obligation to provide guards.

9. Machine controls.

10. Working space.

11. Floors.

12. Temperature.

13. Training.

14. Duties of Persons Employed.

PART III.

CIRCULAR SAWING MACHINES.

15. Guarding of circular sawing machines.

16. Sizes of circular saw blades.

17. Limitation on the use of circular sawing machines for certain purposes.

18. Provision of push sticks.

19. Removal of material cut by circular sawing machine.

PART IV.

MULTIPLE RIP SAWING MACHINES AND STRAIGHTLINE EDGING MACHINES.

20. Multiple rip sawing machines and straight line edging machines.

PART V.

BAND SAWING MACHINES.

21. Band Sawing Machines.

PART VI.

PLANING MACHINES.

22. Limitation on the use of planing machines for cutting rebates.

23. Cutter blocks for planing machines for surfacing.

24. Table gap.

25. Provision of bridge guards.

26. Adjustment of bridge guards.

27. Cutter block guards.

28. Provision and use of push-blocks.

29. Combined machines used for thicknessing.

30. Protection against ejected material.

PART VII.

VERTICAL SPINDLE MOULDING MACHINES.

31. Construction, maintenance and mounting of cutters, etc.

32. Provision of false fences.

33. Provision of jigs or holders.

34. Design and construction of guards for protection against ejected parts.

35. Provision and use of back stops.

36. Limitation on the use of vertical spindle moulding machines.

37. Provision of spikes or push-sticks.

38. Machines driven by two-speed motors.

PART VIII.

MISCELLANEOUS.

39. Cleaning of saw blades.

40. Exhaust ventilation.

41. Revocations.

Schedule--Woodworking Machines.

S.I. No. 203 of 1972.

FACTORIES (WOODWORKING MACHINERY) REGULATIONS, 1972.

I, JOSEPH BRENNAN, Minister for Labour in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 8, 12, 25, 71 and 99 of the Factories Act, 1955 (No. 10 of 1955), and the Labour (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order, 1966 ( S.I. No. 164 of 1966 ), after consultation with the Minister for Health, and after due compliance with the provisions of the Third Schedule to that Act, hereby make the following Regulations :

PART I. PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL.

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Factories (Woodworking Machinery) Regulations, 1972.

(2) These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of November, 1972.

2. In these Regulations--

"the Act" means the Factories Act, 1955 (No. 10 of 1955) ;

"band sawing machine" means a sawing machine designed to be fitted with a blade in the form of a continuous band or strip the cutting portion of which runs in a vertical direction, but does not include a log band sawing machine or a band re-sawing machine ;

"circular sawing machine" means a sawing machine comprising a saw bench (including a rack bench) with a spindle situated below the machine table to which a circular saw blade can be fitted, for the purpose of dividing material into separate parts, but does not include a multiple rip sawing machine, a straight line edging machine or any sawing machine in the operation of which the blade is moved towards the material which is being cut ;

"combined machine" has the meaning assigned to it by this regulation ;

"cutters" means cutters forming part of a woodworking machine to which these Regulations apply and includes saw blades, chain cutters, knives, boring tools, detachable cutters and solid cutters ;

"machine table" includes, in relation to a circular sawing machine, any frame which supports the material being cut ;

"the Minister" means the Minister for Labour ;

"planing machine" means a machine for surfacing or for thicknessing or a combined machine for both those operations (in these Regulations referred to as a combined machine) but does not include a multi-cutter moulding machine having two or more cutter spindles ;

"squared stock" means material having a rectangular (including square) cross section the dimensions of which remain substantially constant throughout the length of the material ;

"surfacing" means planing or smoothing the surface of material by passing it over cutters and includes chamfering and bevelling but does not include moulding, tenoning, rebating or recessing ;

"vertical spindle moulding machine" includes a high-speed routing machine ; and

"woodworking machine" means any machine (including a portable machine) of a kind specified in the Schedule to these Regulations which is designed or intended for use on all or any one or more of the following, namely, wood, cork or fibre board and material composed partly of any of those materials, and which is in a factory or in a premises or place to which these Regulations apply.

3. Subject to Regulation 4 of these Regulations, these Regulations shall, except where the context otherwise requires, apply to--

(a) every factory and to every premises or place to which the provisions of Part V of the Act are applied (whether in whole or in part) by section 83, 84, 85 or 86 thereof,

(b) every process, operation or work to which provisions of the said Part V are applied by section 87, 88 or 89 of the Act.

4. (1) The Minister may (subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified therein) by certificate in writing, exempt from all or any of the requirements of these Regulations any factory, premises or place if he is satisfied that the safety of persons employed at the factory, premises or place, as the case may be, will not be prejudiced in consequence of granting the exemption.

(2) Where an exemption is granted under this regulation, a legible copy of the certificate, showing the conditions (if any) subject to which it has been granted, shall be kept posted in the factory, premises or place to which the exemption applies in a position where it may be conveniently read by the persons employed.

PART II. WOODWORKING MACHINES--GENERAL.

5. (1) Without prejudice to the following Regulations and subject to Regulations 8, 33 and 34 of these Regulations, the cutters on every woodworking machine shall be enclosed by a guard or guards to the greatest extent that is practicable, having regard to the work being done, but the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply if the cutters are positioned so as to be as safe, as regards any person employed as they would be if they were so enclosed.

(2) Every guard provided in pursuance of this regulation shall be of suitable design, good construction, sound material and adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used.

(3) A person shall not make inoperative any guard, device or other safeguard provided pursuant to these Regulations on a woodworking machine.

6. A person shall not make any adjustment to any part of a woodworking machine or to any guard thereon, while the cutters are in motion, unless the adjustment can be made without danger.

7. (1) At all times while cutters are in motion, the relevant guards and devices required by these Regulations and all such safeguards (being safeguards other than those specified in these Regulations) as are mentioned in Regulation 8 hereof shall be kept constantly both in position and properly secured and adjusted except when, and only to the extent to which, because of the nature of the work being done, the use of any such guard, device or safeguard is rendered impracticable: provided that the foregoing exception shall not apply to the use of any guard required by Regulation 17 (2), 22 or 27 of these Regulations.

(2) Effective measures shall be taken to ensure that--

(a) all guards, devices and other such safeguards, and

(b) all spikes, push-sticks, push-blocks, jigs, holders and back stops,

provided pursuant to these Regulations are properly maintained.

(3) A person employed in a factory or in a premises or place to which these Regulations apply shall not--

(a) be required to use any woodworking machine unless the guards, devices or other safeguards provided pursuant to these Regulations are in proper position, or

(b) be required to examine, repair, clean, oil or grease any woodworking machine while it is being put in motion by mechanical power if the examination, repairing, cleaning, oiling or greasing would expose the person to risk of injury from any moving part either of the woodworking machine or other adjacent machinery.

8. Regulations 5, 15, 20, 21, 25, 27, 29, 30 and 34 of these Regulations shall not apply to any woodworking machine in respect of which safeguards, other than those specified in these Regulations, are provided which render the machine as safe as it would be if the provisions of these Regulations were complied with.

9. Every woodworking machine shall be provided with an efficient device or efficient devices for starting and cutting off the power to the machine ; and the control or controls of the device or devices shall be in such a position and of such design and construction as to be readily and conveniently operated by any person operating the machine.

10. (1) There shall be provided around every woodworking machine while being used sufficient clear and unobstructed space to enable, so far as is practicable, the work being done at the machine to be done without risk of injury to any person employed.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1) of this regulation, effective measures shall be taken to ensure that materials or articles around a woodworking machine are not placed, stacked, or stored in a manner likely to cause danger and that every place at which a person works at a woodworking machine is made and kept safe for the person.

11. The floor or surface of the ground adjacent to every woodworking machine shall be maintained in good and level condition and, so far as practicable, shall be kept free from chips or other loose materials and shall not be allowed to become slippery.

12. (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this regulation, wherever practicable, effective provision shall be made for securing and maintaining a reasonable temperature in every room or other place in which a woodworking machine is worked.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) of this regulation a temperature of less than 10 degrees Celsius shall be regarded as not being a reasonable temperature at any time.

(3) Where it is impossible in practice to maintain a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius in any open room or other place in which a woodworking machine is being worked, the occupier may, in lieu of complying with the requirement of paragraph (1) of this regulation, comply with the following requirement, namely, provide as required and in good condition sufficient duffle coats or other suitable protective clothing for the persons required to work regularly in the place.

13. (1) A person shall not be employed on any kind of work at a woodowrking machine unless he has previously been--

(a) sufficiently trained at machines of the class to which the machine belongs in the kind of work on which he is to be employed, and

(b) sufficiently instructed in accordance with paragraph (2) of this regulation,

provided that the foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall not apply if the person is working under the adequate supervision of a person who has a thorough knowledge and experience of the working of the mahcine.

(2) Every person, while being trained to work at a woodworking machine, shall be fully and carefully instructed as to the dangers arising in connection with such machine, the precautions to be observed, the requirements of these Regulations which apply to the machine and, in case the person is being trained to operate the machine, the method of using the guards, devices and appliances required to be provided by these Regulations.

14. (1) Every person employed at a woodworking machine shall, while he is operating the machine--

(a) use and keep properly adjusted the guards and devices provided in accordance with these Regulations and all safeguards as are mentioned in Regulation 7 of these Regulations, and

(b) use the spikes, push-sticks, push-blocks, jigs, holders and back stops provided in accordance with these Regulations,

provided that (but subject to the proviso to Regulation 7 (1) of these Regulations) the foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall not apply whenever, because of the nature of the work being done, to use the said guards, devices or other safeguards would be impracticable.

(2) It shall be the duty of every person employed in a factory or in any premises or place to which these Regulations apply, who discovers any defect in a woodworking machine or in any guard, device or applicance provided in the factory, premises or place pursuant to these Regulations or in any safeguards mentioned in Regulation 8 hereof (being a defect which may affect the safe working of the machine) or who discovers that the floor or surface of the ground around any woodworking machine is not in good and level condition or is slippery, to report the matter without delay to the occupier, manager or whatever other person is the appropriate person in the circumstances.

(3) A person employed in a factory, premises or place to which these Regulations apply, shall not examine, repair, clean, oil or grease any woodworking machine while it is in motion if the examination, repairing, cleaning, oiling or greasing thereof would expose the person to risk of injury from any moving part either of the woodworking machine or other adjacent machinery.

PART III. CIRCULAR SAWING MACHINES.

15. (1) Subject to Regulation 8 of these Regulations the part of the saw blade of a circular sawing machine which is below the machine table shall be securely fenced.

(2) Subject as aforesaid, every circular sawing machine shall be provided with a riving knife which shall be securely fixed by means of a suitable device situated below the machine table, be behind and in a direct line with the saw blade, have a smooth surface, be strong rigid and easily adjustable and shall in addition fulfil the following conditions, namely :

(a) the edge of the knife nearer the saw blade shall form an arc of a circle having a radius not exceeding the radius of the largest saw blade with which the saw bench is designed to be used,

(b) the knife shall be capable of being adjusted, and shall be kept adjusted, so that--

(i) it is as close as practicable to the saw blade, having regard to the nature of the work being done, and

(ii) at the level of the machine table the distance between the edge of the knife nearer to the saw blade and the teeth of the saw blade does not exceed 12 millimetres,

(c) for a blade of a diameter of less than 600 millimetres, the knife shall extend upwards from the machine table to a height above the surface of the machine table which is not more than 25 millimetres below the highest point of the saw blade, and for a saw blade of a diameter of 600 millimetres or over, the knife shall extend upwards from the machine table to a height of at least 225 millimetres above the machine table ; and

(d) in the case of a parallel plate saw blade, the knife shall be thicker than the plate of the saw blade.

(3) Without prejudice to the requirements of Regulation 17 (2) of these Regulations, that part of the saw blade of every circular sawing machine which is above the machine table shall be guarded by a suitable and easily adjustable guard capable of being moved horizontally and vertically and parallel to the saw blade. The guard shall have along the whole of its length a flange of adequate depth on the side of the saw blade furthest from the fence. The guard shall be kept adjusted so that the flange referred to extends beyond the roots of the teeth of the saw. The guard shall extend from the top of the riving knife to a point as low as practicable at the cutting edge of the saw.

(4) Where a guard provided pursuant to paragraph (3) of this regulation is fitted with an adjustable front extension piece the extension piece shall have along the whole of its length a flange of adequate depth on the side further from the fence and the extension piece shall be kept adjusted so that the flange referred to extends beyond the roots of the teeth of the saw blade.

(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (3) of this regulation, in the case of circular sawing machines manufactured before the date of the coming into operation of these Regulations, the requirments of that paragraph shall not apply until twelve months after that date in the case of such machines. but pending the expiration of the said period, the said guard shall have along the whole of its length a flange of adequate depth on the side further from the fence and the guard shall be kept adjusted so that the flange referred to extends beyond the roots of the teeth of the saw blade.

16. (1) In the case of a circular sawing machine the spindle of which is not capable of being operated at more than one working speed, no saw blade shall be used therewith for dividing material into separate parts which has a diameter of less than six-tenths of the diameter of the largest saw blade with which the saw bench is designed to be used.

(2) In the case of a circular sawing machine which has arrangements for the spindle to operate at more than one working speed, no saw blade shall be used therewith for dividing material into separate parts which has a diameter of less than six-tenths of the diameter of the largest saw blade which can properly be used at the fastest speed of the spindle at that saw bench.

(3) There shall be securely affixed to every circular sawing machine a notice specifying the diameter of the smallest saw blade which may be used in the machine in compliance with paragraph (1) or (2), as may be appropriate, of this regulation.

17. (1) A circular sawing machine shall not be used for work which involves feeding a workpiece to the saw blade by hand and starting a cut otherwise than at the end or outer edge of a surface of the workpiece.

(2) A circular sawing machine shall not be used for cutting any rebate, tenon, mould or groove, unless that part of the saw blade or other cutter which is above the machine table is effectively guarded.

(3) A circular sawing machine shall not be used for cross-cutting logs, branches or any material intended for firewood unless the material being cut is firmly held by a gripping device securely fixed to a travelling table.

18. (1) A suitable push-stick shall be provided and kept available for use at every circular sawing machine when fed by hand.

(2) Except where the distance between a circular saw blade and its fence is so great, or the method of feeding material to the saw blade is such that the use of a push-stick can safely be dispensed with, push-sticks shall be used--

(a) to exert feeding pressure on the material between the saw blade and the fence throughout any cut of 300 millimetres or less in length,

(b) to exert feeding pressure on the material between the saw blade and the fence during the last 300 millimetres of any cut of more than 300 millimetres in length, and

(c) to remove from between the saw blade and the fence pieces of material which have been cut.

19. (1) Where any person (other than the operator) is employed at a circular sawing machine in removing material which has been cut, that person shall not for that purpose stand elsewhere than at the delivery end of the machine.

(2) Where any person (other than the operator) is employed at a circular sawing machine in removing material which has been cut, the machine table shall be constructed, or other arrangements shall be made by suitably extending the table, to ensure that the distance between the delivery end of the table, over the whole of its width together with any extension thereof, and the up-running part of the saw blade is not less than 1,200 millimetres.

PART IV. MULTIPLE RIP SAWING MACHINES AND STRAIGHT LINE EGDING MACHINES.

20. (1) Subject to Regulation 8 of these Regulations, every multiple rip sawing machine and straight line edging machine shall be provided on the operator's side of the in-feed pressure rollers with an effective device which shall be designed and constructed to contain, as far as practicable, any material accidentally ejected by the machine, and every such device shall extend for not less than the full width of the said pressure rollers.

(2) Subject as aforesaid, every such multiple rip sawing machine and straight line edging machine on which the saw spindle is mounted above the machine table shall, in addition to the device mentioned in paragraph (1) of this regulation, be fitted on the side remote from the fence with a suitable guard, which shall extend from the edge of the said device along a line parallel to the blade of the saw at least 300 millimetres towards the axis of the saw and shall be of such a design, and be so constructed, as to contain, as far as practicable, any material accidentally ejected from the machine.

(3) In the case of multiple rip sawing machines or straight line edging machines manufactured before the date of the coming into operation of these Regulations, the requirements of this regulation shall not apply to them until twelve months after that date.

PART V. BAND SAWING MACHINES.

21. (1) Subject to Regulation 8 of these Regulations, the saw wheels of every band sawing machine and the whole of the blade of every such machine, other than that part of the blade which runs downwards between the top wheel and the machine table, shall be enclosed by a guard or guards of substantial construction.

(2) Subject as aforesaid, that part of the blade of every band sawing machine which is above the friction disc or rollers and below the top wheel shall be guarded by a frontal plate which is as close as is practicable to the saw blade and has at least one flange at right angles to the plate and extending behind the saw blade.

PART VI. PLANING MACHINES.

22. A planing machine shall not be used for cutting any rebate, recess, tenon or mould unless the cutter is effectively guarded.

23. Every planing machine for surfacing shall be fitted with a cylindrical cutter block.

24. Every planing machine for surfacing shall be designed and constructed so as to be capable of adjustment whereby--

(a) the clearances between the cutters and the front edge of the delivery table, and

(b) the gap between the feed table and the delivery table,

are as small as practicable, having regard to the operation being performed, and a planing machine which is not so adjusted shall not be used for surfacing.

25. (1) Subject to Regulation 8 of these Regulations, every planing machine for surfacing shall be provided with a bridge guard which shall be strong and rigid, have a length not less than the full length of the cutter block and a width not less than the diameter of the cutter block and be constructed so as to be capable of easy adjustment in both a vertical and horizontal direction.

(2) Subject as aforesaid, every bridge guard, in addition to complying with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this regulation, shall be mounted on the machine in a position which is approximately central over the axis of the cutter block and shall be constructed so as to prevent its being accidentally displaced from that position.

(3) In the case of planing machines manufactured before the date of the coming into operation of these Regulations, the requirements of this regulation shall not apply to them until twelve months after the said date, and pending the expiration of the said period such machines for surfacing shall be provided with a bridge guard capable of covering the full length and breadth of the cutting slot in the bench and be constructed so as to be easily adjusted in both a vertical and horizontal direction.

26. (1) Where a planing machine is being used for surfacing, subject to Regulation 28 of these Regulations, the following provisions shall apply ;

(a) all practicable steps shall be taken to ensure that the bridge guard provided in pursuance of Regulation 25 of these Regulations is kept properly adjusted, so as to avoid injury to persons employed,

(b) subject to subparagraph (d) of this paragraph, where the machine is being used to machine a face surface of squared stock the bridge guard shall be kept adjusted so that,

(i) the distance between the end of the guard and the fence does not exceed 10 millimetres, and

(ii) the underside of the guard is not more than 10 millimetres above the upper surface of the material,

(c) subject to subparagraph (d) of this paragraph, where the machine is being used to machine an edge surface of squared stock the bridge guard shall be kept adjusted so that,

(i) the end of the guard is at a point not more than 10 millimetres from the surface of the said material which is further from the fence, and

(ii) the underside of the guard is not more than 10 millimetres above the surface of the feed table.

(d) where both a face surface and an edge of squared stock are being machined, one operation immediately following the other, the bridge guard shall be kept so that,

(i) when a face surface is being machined the underside of the guard is not more than 10 millimetres above the upper surface of the material, and

(ii) when an edge surface is being machined, the end of the guard is at a point not more than 10 millimetres from the surface of the squared stock which is further from the fence,

(e) where the machining of one or more adjoining surfaces of squared stock of square cross section is being carried out, the bridge guard may be kept adjusted in accordance with the requirements either of subparagraph (b) or subparagraph (c) of this paragraph.

(2) In this regulation and in Regulation 28 of these Regulations, in relation to squared stock--

"edge" means either of the surfaces which are the narrower surfaces ;

"face" means either of the surfaces which are the wider surfaces ; and

"surfaces" do not include cross-sections.

27. (1) Subject to Regulation 8 of these Regulations, in addition to being provided with a bridge guard in accordance with Regulation 25 of these Regulations, every planing machine for surfacing shall be provided with a strong, effective and easily adjustable guard for that part of the cutter block which is on the side of the fence most distant from the bridge guard.

(2) In the case of planing machines manufactured before the date of the coming into operation of these Regulations, the requirements of the foregoing paragraph of this regulation shall not apply to them until twelve months after that date.

28. Where a face surface is being planed or smoothed on a planing machine and by reason of the shortness of the material work cannot be done with the bridge guard adjusted in accordance with Regulation 26 of these Regulations, a suitable push-block having suitable hand-holds which afford the operator a firm grip shall be provided and used.

29. Subject to Regulation 8 of these Regulations, that part of the cutter block of a combined machine which is exposed in the table gap shall be effectively guarded whenever the machine is used for thicknessing.

30. (1) Subject to Regulation 8 of these Regulations, every planing machine used for thicknessing shall be provided on the operator's side of the feed roller with a device to restrain, so far as practicable, any workpiece accidentally ejected by the machine, and every such device shall be properly designed and constructed.

(2) In the case of machines manufactured before the date of coming into operation of these Regulations, the requirements of this regulation shall not apply to them until twelve months after that date.

PART VII. VERTICAL SPINDLE MOULDING MACHINES.

31. (1) Every cutter and every cutter block of a vertical spindle moulding machine in a factory or in a premises or place to which these Regulations apply, shall be of good construction, sound material and properly maintained.

(2) Every detachable cutter for any such machine shall be so mounted in or on the cutter block or spindle so as to prevent it, as far as practicable, from becoming accidentally detached from the machine.

32. Where straight fences are being used for the purposes of the work being done at a vertical spindle moulding machine, the gap between the fences shall be reduced as far as practicable either by a false fence or otherwise.

33. Subject to Regulation 35 of these Regulations, where, by reason of the nature of the work being done at a vertical spindle moulding machine, it is impracticable to provide in accordance with Regulation 5 of these Regulations a guard enclosing the cutters of the said machine so that they are effectively guarded, but it is practicable to provide, in substitution for the guard required to be provided by the said Regulation 5 a jig or holder of such design and constructed so as to hold firmly any material being machined and having suitable handholds which will afford the operator a firm grip, the machine shall not be used unless such a jig or holder is provided.

34. Subject to Regulation 8 of these Regulations, every guard provided in accordance with Regulation 5 of these Regulations for the cutters of any vertical spindle moulding machine shall be of such design and constructed so as to contain, so far as reasonably practicable, any part of the cutters or their fixing appliances and also any part thereof should it be ejected.

35. Where the work being done at a vertical spindle moulding machine is work in which the cutting of the material being machined cving two or more cutter spindles.

36. No work shall be done on a vertical spindle moulding machine, being work in which--

(a) the cutting of the material being machined commences otherwise than at the end of a surface of the material, and

(b) during the progress of the cutting the material is moved in the same direction as the movement of the cutters,

unless a jig or holder provided in accordance with Regulation 33 of these Regulations is being used.

37. Where the nature of the work being done on a vertical spindle moulding machine is such that the use of a suitable spike or push-stick would enable the work to be carried on without unnecessary risk, such a spike or push-stick shall be provided and kept available for use.

38. (1) Where the motor driving a vertical spindle moulding machine (other than a high-speed routing machine) is designed to operate at two working speeds, the device controlling the speed of the motor shall be arranged so that the motor cannot run at the higher of the speeds, without first running at the lower of the speeds.

(2) In the case of machines manufactured before the date of coming into operation of these Regulations the requirements of this regulation shall not apply to them until twelve months after that date.

PART VIII. MISCELLANEOUS.

39. The blade of a circular sawing machine or of a band re-sawing machine or of a band mill shall not be cleaned by scraping while the blade is in motion.

40. (1) In addition to the requirements of Section 58 of the Act and subject to paragraph (2) of this regulation, effective measures shall be taken by the provision of suitable exhaust appliances or other suitable means for collecting and discharging into a suitable receptacle or place any substantial quantity of dust, chips, shavings, or other waste materials given off in the operation of any woodworking machine.

(2) This regulation shall not apply to any high-speed routing machine which incorporates means for blowing away from the cutters the chips or particles as they are removed or to either a vertical spindle moulding machine or a tenoning machine which is not used for more than six hours in any week.

41. The Woodworking Machinery Regulations, 1923 (S. R. & O. No. 15 of 1923), and the Order relating to Saw Mills and Woodworking Factories (Ambulance and First Aid) (S. R. & O. No. 1489 of 1918), are hereby revoked.

SCHEDULE.

WOODWORKING MACHINES.

1. Any sawing machine designed to be fitted with one or more circular blades.

2. Any sawing machine designed to be fitted with a blade in the form of a continuous band or strip.

3. Automatic and semi-automatic lathes.

4. Boring machines.

5. Chain sawing machines.

6. Grooving machines.

7. Mortising machines.

8. Multi-cutter moulding machines having two or more cutter spindles.

9. Planing machines.

10. Trenching machines.

11. Tenoning machines.

12. Vertical spindle moulding machines.

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 21st day of August, 1972.

JOSEPH BRENNAN,

Minister for Labour.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Regulations provide for the safety, health and welfare of persons employed in processes involving the use of woodworking machinery.