Work equipment can pose a variety of hazards, such as mechanical, electrical, chemical, and others. Operators must be well-informed about the specific risks associated with laboratory equipment and undergo comprehensive training to ensure its safe and proper use.
The legal basis is constituted by the Ordinance on the Safety of Machinery (OMach; RS 819.14), which transposes into Swiss law the provisions of the European Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery.
Responsibilities: as defined in EPFL LEX 1.5.1 (Article 12), the head of unit ensures compliance with occupational health and safety rules within their team, and approves the purchase and installation of work equipment in laboratories or workshops.
Standard: set of rules or specifications established to ensure safety and minimize risks, with SN, EN, and ISO representing national (Swiss – SN), European (EN), and international (ISO) bodies responsible for developing these standards to guarantee product safety and quality.
Declaration of conformity: document drawn up by the manufacturer or their authorized representative certifying that the work equipment complies with the European and Swiss safety requirements necessary for it to be marketed, including for personal protective equipment (PPE).
Example of declaration of conformity :

CE certification: it stands for “Conformité Européenne” and it certifies that the product complies with the essential safety, health and environmental protection requirements defined by European legislation. This involves the intervention of a certification body, which will issue a certificate after assessing the equipment’s conformity with European Union legislation.
European conformity and China Export: the CE logo for compliance with European standards is very similar to the China Export logo, which does not represent any form of official certification or compliance with European Union standards.

This marking can be misleading, and the China Export marking can give the impression that a product has received CE (Conformité Européenne) certification when this is not the case.
In case of doubt, the declaration of conformity will indicate the standards to which the work equipment conforms, while the CE (Conformité Européenne) certification should also be mentioned in the user manual for the equipment concerned.
When purchasing or building a work equipment, a specifications document defining the following points must be established:
- What function must the work equipment fulfill?
- Where is the installation to be located (evacuation routes, logistics paths, ground resistance)?
- How is the installation to be set up and used?
- How should maintenance and repairs be carried out?
- What is the noise (sound emissions) and vibration level of the work equipment?
- Is the equipment explosion-proof?
- Are any harmful substances released?
- Is specific training required for the use of this equipment?
The safety of work equipment begins with the purchasing process. All equipment installed in a laboratory or workshop must comply with legal safety requirements. In accordance with the requirements of the Swiss Ordinance on Machine Safety (OMach), each work equipment must be accompanied by a declaration of conformity confirming compliance with the applicable regulations and safety standards, or must have CE certification.
Like new work equipment, second-hand work equipment must meet the essential health and safety requirements. The head of the unit must ensure that a declaration of conformity or CE certification, as well as a user manual, are available. In the absence of a declaration of conformity or CE certification, an approved certification body must assess the work equipment in question.
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The work equipment must be supplied with user manual written in the user’s own language.
The user manual must include :
• Instructions for using the equipment in accordance with its intended use, as well as assembly instructions for partially assembled machines.
• Information on the personal protective equipment that must be worn when using the equipment. The corresponding pictograms must be displayed on the equipment.
• Information on equipment maintenance.
• Information on the specific training that users must undergo.
• Information on installation, commissioning, description of normal use, as well as contraindications, residual risks and troubleshooting, based on experience.
Following the reception of work equipment, the following steps must be carried out:
• Verification of the presence of the declaration of conformity and the user manual.
• Inspection of the equipment for any visible defects.
• Identification of an appropriate location for the equipment. The installation must not create new hazards, and the load-bearing capacity of the floor must be respected.
• Verification of the presence and proper functioning of safety devices (e.g., safety lock or interlock).
• Verification of the availability of necessary personal protective equipment and the display of corresponding pictograms on the equipment.
• Organization of maintenance for the work equipment.
• Identification of any foreseeable incorrect usage.
• Organization of specific training if the equipment requires special instructions for users.
• Identification of residual risks (risks remaining after implementing all safety measures).
Training
In accordance with Article 6 of the OPA and Chapter 5.5 of CFST Directive 6512 “Work Equipment”, all workers must be informed of the risks to which they are exposed during their activities and instructed in occupational safety measures. Training is required if the use of work equipment involves hazards. This training must be based on the manufacturer’s instruction manual and must be repeated at regular intervals or whenever the machine is modified.
It is the responsibility of the unit head to ensure that all individuals required to use the equipment have received adequate training in accordance with the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer. They must also ensure that users can operate the equipment safely and that they have fully understood the instructions given.
Written proof of the training provided must be kept. This document must include, at a minimum: to whom, by whom, and when the training was given, as well as the content of the training. For this purpose, a template titled “Training Record” is available for your use.
Maintenance
In accordance with Article 32b of the OPA and Chapter 6.1 of CFST Directive 6512, work equipment must be maintained following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Maintenance includes:
• Inspection: measurements, checks, data recording
• Servicing: cleaning and routine maintenance
• Repairs: replacement of parts, improvements
Maintenance must be carried out by individuals who are properly trained or instructed for this purpose. The unit manager is responsible for ensuring the safety of the person performing the maintenance and must provide a safe environment for the task (e.g., suspending activities in the room if necessary).
Maintenance can be performed either internally or by an external company. The maintenance instructions are provided in the user manual supplied by the manufacturer of the work equipment.
The head of the unit is responsible for the maintenance of their equipment. Infrastructure equipment (such as chemical fume hoods, Nederman arms connected to ventilation systems, and hoists) is not included and is maintained separately by EPFL’s Facility Management Service.
Maintenance operations must be documented in written form. Maintenance records must include at least the following information: who performed the maintenance, on what date, and on which piece of equipment. The date of the last maintenance as well as the date of the next scheduled maintenance must be indicated on the equipment.
Specific work equipment

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Laboratory fume hoods
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Workbench 3D printers
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Biosafety cabinets
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Outdoor extension cords
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Lithium batteries
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