Carpenters have been warned all woodworking machines should now comply with the new braking and limited cutter projection tooling requirements.

Industry regulators have also reminded the sector that chip thickness limitation tooling regulations have also been operation for over a year.

Woodworking machinery is responsible for a third of the major injuries in the woodworking industry.

Circular saws, vertical spindle moulders and surface planers are involved in over two thirds of these. Other major injuries are caused by kickbacks of timber and ejected cutters.

To help employers understand their responsibilities and comply with the new legislation, Health and Safety Works NI, HSENI's small business advisory service, is running a half-day workshop on 28 October in the South Eastern Regional College, Lisburn.

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This workshop will demonstrate the correct guarding and operation of these high risk machines and explain how to comply with the new laws relating to braking and limited cutter projection tooling.

It will also focus on the other main hazards of working in the woodworking industry including controlling wood dust with local exhaust ventilation; manual handling; managing noise in the workplace and forklift truck maintenance and driver training.

Organised in partnership with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and ConstructionSkills in Northern Ireland the event promises to deliver clear and practical advice and guidance on managing health and safety.

Audrey Haggan, Principal Adviser with HSWNI said: "We have tailored the workshop in direct response to the needs of woodworking employers and this is their chance find out what steps they can take to better manage their health and safety and keep within the law."

Maire Nawaz, NI Director, Federation of Master Builders added: "Protecting workers should be a priority for woodworking firms and it also makes good business sense.

"I know that employers will find this event an extremely useful starting point to tackling their health and safety."

(PR/BMcc)