Pulp & Paper

For over 40 years, Sponmech Safety Systems Limited has been a trusted leader in crafting custom machine guards, especially for paper mills. From our manufacturing site in Halesowen, we deliver top-quality guards to businesses across the UK, Europe, the USA, the Middle East, and beyond. Our expertise ensures that our guards meet strict safety standards while keeping your operations efficient and productive.

Why do the tissue and paper manufacturing industries need machine guards?

Paper mill machinery, with its heavy rolls and fast-moving parts, can be dangerous if not properly protected. Many older machines, built before modern safety rules, are still in use, and some have been updated without proper guards. At Sponmech, we create tailored safety solutions to protect your workers and keep your equipment compliant. Our guards help prevent accidents, keeping your team safe and avoiding costly downtime. Safety isn’t just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about protecting your people and your business.

Create a safer, more productive workplace with Sponmech Safety Systems Solutions

In the UK, new machines must have a CE mark to meet the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, and existing machines need regular checks to comply with PUWER 98 (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998). Similar safety laws apply worldwide. Sponmech’s guards are designed to meet these standards, giving you peace of mind that your workplace is safe and compliant.

Standards & Compliance

For your machinery to be PUWER 98 compliant, we need to see copies of your PUWER 98 survey, or we can do this for you at cost. All machinery guarding designed and manufactured by Sponmech come with certificates of conformity, are fully HSE compliant and where the application requires it, will also be CE marked.

Our machine guarding systems comply with the following standards:

2006/42/EC

BS EN ISO 14120:2015

BS EN ISO 12100:2003+A1:2009

The Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (P.U.W.E.R 98)*

*Subject to provision of a suitable PUWER 98 Risk Assessment

All of our engineers are accredited, safety trained and all carry national safety passports.

Types of machines guarding for Pulp & Paper Machines

Depending on your application and requirements, we will supply one or more types of machine guard:

Nip guards.

Fixed and movable bespoke guarding or enclosures.

Modular perimeter guarding with bespoke components where necessary.

We can also supply:

Preinstalled interlocks.

Light guards and other safety devices.

Custom made stairs, fixed ladders and access platforms.

We will ensure that your guarding is compliant with all relevant British standards for machinery guarding. We will also always do our best to ensure that your new guarding system does not hinder production or manufacture.

Sponmech can also arrange the electrical integration of your machinery guarding. To quote for this, we ask you to fill in one of our questionnaires. Please get in touch to find out more.