The guidance has been published as part of a series of sheets covering specific items of machinery in use at waste recycling plants.
Backed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the WISH guidance set out good practice for the safe design, use and maintenance of these machines, which are commonly used in metals recycling.
The guidance warned that contact with the shear point – where the machine’s moving jaw meets its fixed counterpart – can lead to serious injuries.
Both bench/floor-mounted and hand-held models were covered by the guidance.
Safeguarding crocodile shears
WISH highlighted that the inherent design of crocodile shears makes complete physical guarding of the danger zone impractical, leading to a heavy reliance on operator competence, training and safe working procedures.
Real-world incidents included in the document illustrate several of the risks, such as a metals recycling worker who lost four fingers after inadequate maintenance and training.
The document advised partial guarding measures, such as fixed or moveable guards, and calls for disabling “automatic” operating modes where operators are close to the shear point.
WISH emphasised that the guidance goes beyond minimum legal requirements and forms part of a wider set of safety documents, including WASTE 29 on isolation and lock-off procedures, and WASTE 33 on safeguarding principles.
The Forum also noted that the document should not be taken as constituting legal or other professional advice and that it accepts no liability for “any act or omission of any persons using [the] document”.
All of WISH’s machinery safety information sheets are available on the WISH website, free of charge. Other topics include safety advice on balers, belt conveyors, cable strippers, shredders and trommel screens.
WISH released its guidance on cable strippers in March 2025.
Subscribe for free