Every year there are a number of accidents arising from the use of work equipment, including machinery, a few of which are fatal.

Accidents do not only cause human suffering, they also cost money - by using safe, well-maintained equipment operated by adequately trained staff, accidents can be prevented, and personal and financial costs can be reduced.

The coming days will see the issue of the new regulations on work equipment. All work equipment, both existing as well as new, must be suitable for the job and should not pose any hazards to the workers using it.

Employers must therefore ensure that workers use the equipment made available to them without impairment to their health and safety.

In view of the great importance of these new regulations, the FOI, through the Malta Centre of the Malta Business Bureau, organised a well-attended information seminar entitled "Making Sure Your Equipment is Safe - A Guide to the Regulations on Work Equipment."

The meeting, which was held on Thursday, started with a presentation by Dr Joanna Drake, who chairs the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, and who explained the main provisions of the new regulations and the employer's responsibilities.

Ing. Anthony Camilleri, head of the Consumer and Industrial Goods Directorate at the Malta Standards Authority, then delivered the second presentation focusing on product safety issues and the certification procedures and requirements.