Four siders

Also known as a timber moulding machine, a four sider has at least four cutting heads so it can machine and shape long sides of timber in one pass.

Figure 1: Four sider

[Image] Open four sider with labels and red arrows pointing to operational, cutting and cover components

Hazards

  • Contact or impact from thrown timber
  • Contact with cutters
  • Noise
  • Dust
  • Slips, trips & falls
  • Unexpected movement (during maintenance, cleaning & adjustments)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  • Ear protection
  • Eye protection
  • Face protection
  • Dust protection

Tasks

Task – Cut and shape timber

Hazard

Contact or impact from thrown timber

Harm

  • Bruising
  • Fractures

Controls

  • KEEP cutters sharp, so their energy is used to cut, not push against the timber.
  • INSTALL sensors to detect whether timber is presented correctly to the cutters.
  • POSITION the machine to prevent timber hitting anyone.

Hazard

Contact with cutters

Harm

  • Deep cuts or amputation

Controls

  • FIT a bridge guard above the cutters. Width MUST be 11⁄2 times the width of the opening.

Other (non-mechanical) hazards

Hazard

Noise

Harm

  • Hearing damage or loss

Controls

  • REDUCE noise levels by isolating machines or enclosing within noise barriers.
  • ASSESS noise levels.
  • ARRANGE hearing screenings.
  • ALWAYS WEAR hearing protection.

A safe noise level over an eight hour day is 85dB(A). A four sider machine may exceed this noise intensity. Noise levels will be worse when the cabinet is open during set-up.

Hazard

Dust

Harm

  • Eye irritation or damage
  • Breathing problems, lung damage or cancer
  • Worsening of existing health problems

Controls

  • USE dust extraction equipment to minimise dust getting in the operator’s breathing zone.
  • ALWAYS USE respiratory protection.
  • ALWAYS WEAR eye protection.

Hazard

Slips, trips and falls

Harm

  • Trapping
  • Cuts
  • Bruising

Controls

  • KEEP up-to-date housekeeping procedures.
  • KEEP the area around four siders clear of slip and trip hazards.

Task – Maintenance, cleaning & adjustments

Hazard

Contact, impact or entanglement from unexpected movement

Harm

  • Crush injuries
  • Deep cuts or amputation
  • Fractures
  • Bruising

Controls

  • LOCK-OUT all power supplies before maintenance, cleaning or adjustments. This includes electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic supplies.
  • BE AWARE that cutters may have significant overrun time after the power is turned off.
  • If braking time is greater than 10 seconds, owners should retrofit braking.

Download fact sheet

Four siders (PDF 753 KB)