Some machinery provided for use at work is refurbished or modified, sometimes without change of ownership, but also often prior to re-supply as second-hand equipment. The extent of the changes made to the original machinery, together with its provenance, can result in new legal obligations on the owner, user or person undertaking such work. However, refurbishment, even if very substantial, where parts are replaced with new similar versions (like for like etc) will not require re-marking.
In some cases where machinery has been so transformed or substantially rebuilt it may have to be considered as new machinery and so subject to the conformity assessment, marking and labelling requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 even if originally compliant and appropriately marked when first placed on the market.
What you must do?
Where changes are made to the design, function or safety of machinery (or an assembly of machines), you must assess the extent of the changes made or to be made. If they are very substantial (eg significant new hazards and risks are introduced or new methods of control of the machine replace those previously provided, such as computer control of a previous manual machine) it may amount to being considered a "new" machine (or new assembly), for which you must undertake conformity assessment and meet all relevant requirements of any relevant product supply legislation, including the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. Even where they are not you must still undertake the work competently to ensure the machinery remains safe for use, and if re-supplying it, that you meet your obligations as a supplier of equipment for use at work (section 6 of the HSW Act).
What you should know?
Refurbished and modified machinery must be safe when used, fully meeting the requirements of PUWER overview and any other requirements which may also apply to the product (eg LOLER, Electricity at Work Regulations, the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations, Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, etc). This requirement will apply to those undertaking the work, whether the machine owner, user or contractors working for the owner or user. Also if the machine is to be sold/moved on then the seller and all in the supply chain (ie distributors, suppliers, importers or the original manufacturer) must meet the requirements of either section 6 of the HSW Act or where substantially modified, the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008.
Modified machinery which is considered as "new" machinery
The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 apply where the modified machinery is considered "new" to the market. For example, the fitting of CNC (computer) control to a previously manually operated machine substantially alters the way the original machine is operated and controlled. Consequently such a modification introduces significant new health and safety risks (eg automatic programmed operation). This will require full and proper assessment before modifications to the design and construction of the machine are made to ensure they are safe and hence prior to it being placed on the market or put into service. In this case, where very substantial modifications/additions have been made full compliance with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 is required for the resultant product (conformity assessment, drawing up of a technical file , issuing a Declaration of Conformity and appropriate conformity marking and labelling). This is because in effect a new machine has been created even though the original manually operated machine may have previously been in use in the UK (or an EEA country). Where the machine is large and complex the part modified may not affect other parts of the machine. In this case, only the parts and systems modified, or which could have been affected, need to be reassessed. The other parts not affected do not need a new conformity assessment, but the assessment of what is not affected should be included in the technical file.
Machinery refurbishment with a different safety package
The change to a substantially different safety strategy may also require re-assessment and compliance with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 Publication. For example, the substitution of fixed fencing and interlocked doors with photoelectric or laser scanning safety systems requiring additional associated logic control units will probably require re-compliance with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations before the machinery is placed back on the market or put back into service.
Modifications related to assemblies of machines
The same may apply where an existing assembly of machines is modified (assemblies of machines are also in scope of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations). Where the modification, which might include the addition / substitution of a new or second-hand machine, impacts substantially on the operation or safety of the whole assembly of machines an assessment of the safety of the changes as they affect the machine assembly will be required. The resultant assembly may need to re-comply with the provisions of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, but individual machines in the assembly not affected by the changes will not need any reassessment.
Machinery modified before it is first put into service
In some cases, new machinery is sold to an importer or a distributor who then modifies the machinery at the request of a customer before the machinery is put into service for the first time. If that modification is substantial (eg change of function and/or increased performance of the machinery), and these changes are not foreseen or agreed by the manufacturer, the original manufacturer's conformity assessment and marking becomes invalid and has to be renewed. The modifier is then considered as the manufacturer and must fulfil the obligations of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations when it is placed on the market. However, where modifications were foreseen or agreed by the manufacturer and covered by the manufacturer's risk assessment, technical documentation and Declaration of Conformity, the original marking and labelling remains valid. This might include minor alterations necessary when integrating a machine within an assembly line, provided they were foreseen and permitted by the manufacturers of all of the relevant parts of the assembly line.
Simple machinery refurbishment
Refurbishment of machinery amounting to disassembly and a rebuild to original specification albeit with replacement parts, which may be newer designs, will not usually attract the provisions of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations. Simply repainting a machine, undertaking servicing and routine maintenance, changing motors, replacing parts such as guards with essentially identical new ones, even the replacement of original safety critical parts with newer better ones (eg modern higher quality interlocks wired into the control system in the same way as before) does not amount to a substantial change. However, compliance with existing law (PUWER overview, etc on users of work equipment, section 6 duty on suppliers etc) is required.