Sawmilling Industry Code of Practice

21 October 2002

This code of practice sets out guidelines to prevent injury to persons engaged in the operation of plant and systems of work found in a sawmill and sawmill yard. It came into force in July 1997. The references to legislation are out of date, but the code remains in force.

The code goes into detail as to the types of guarding that should be in place. It also provides illustrations to support the written text.
The code specifies particular types of controls that should be used to minimise or eliminate the risk of workers being hurt. These include:

• Emergency stops
  
• tags and lock-out devices
  
• isolation switches
  
• designated crossing points to separate people from conveyors and
  
• storage for blades
  

The timber industry is notorious for horrific injuries such as full limb amputations. Make yourself aware of the safety measures that must be in place before your next trip to work.