Vacuum Former (portable) Risk Assessment

• Document Number

• Site conducted

  Select

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

Asset

• DO NOT use this machine unless a teacher has instructed you in its safe use and operation and has given permission

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Approved safety glasses must be worn at all times in all ITD spaces

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• A suitable protective workshop apron is encouraged

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate protective footwear with substantial uppers must be worn in all ITD spaces

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• DO NOT use faulty equipment – report this immediately to your teacher

  Yes

  No

  N/A

PRE-OPERATIONAL SAFETY CHECKS

• Ensure all safety guards are serviceable and in place

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Check the general condition of the forming table

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensure that all clamping arrangements are adequate, secure and correctly adjusted

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Before switching on the power, ensure all controls are in their correct positions

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have your teacher check all adjustments i.e. heat settings and air pressures, before attempting to vacuum form an article

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Other students are in the surrounding area

  Yes

  No

  N/A

OPERATIONAL SAFETY CHECKS

• Take particular care when vacuum forming very hot thermoplastic materials. High air pressures are also used in this forming process

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Familiarise yourself with all machine operations and controls. If in doubt, ask for assistance

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Pre-heat the vacuum former to be sure the machine has reached the required temperature. Always handle heated plastic material with suitable cotton gloves

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Keep hands clear of the clamping area, the platen and the heating element while the machine is operating

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Take care to ensure to ensure that the heating element is moved away from the plastics material before the vacuum forming process begins

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensure that the air pressure vacuum is released to zero before releasing the clamping arrangements

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do not use the compressed air to cool down an article or to clean down the work area

• Caution – high air pressures and heated plastics

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Yes

  No

  N/A

• HOUSEKEEPING

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• POTENTIAL HAZARDS

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hot machine parts Electricity Burns

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Compressed air Eye injuries

  Yes

  No

  N/A

General

• Ensure all switches, guards and surfaces are cleaned

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Leave the work area in a safe, clean and tidy condition

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Yes

  No

  N/A