OHS Risk Assessment Process for Plant and Equipment

The OHS risk assessment process can fundamentally be broken into three key steps:

·         Hazard identification

·         Plant risk assessment

·         Decision on how to control hazards

From this process, organisations can develop plans for implementing and improving upon controls, and schedule regular reviews of plant and equipment.

Hazard identification

A hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm. Some of these are obvious, some are less so.

While employers or, under the new legislation, PCBUs are likely to be very familiar with the context in which hazards appear, it can be difficult to identify all hazards in the workplace.

Independent plant risk assessment allows you to perform a more thorough review of potential hazards in the workplace. Keeping accurate records at this stage is good practice; an OHS risk assessment expert can help you implement more effective recording systems.

Assessing risks

Risk is the likelihood that harm will occur from exposure to the hazard.

This stage is perhaps more difficult. It is a multi-step process, and for each hazard PCBUs need to:

·         Estimate the likelihood of an incident occurring as a result of use of or exposure to it

·         Estimate the consequences of said incident

It is important to remember that plant risk assessment involves not only identifying the potential issues inherent in work processes, but also how these risks can interact.

In addition, all OHS risk assessments need to take into consideration the workers themselves. Who may be affected by hazards in the workplace? Inexperienced workers, visitors, cleaners, unfamiliar contractors and a range of other parties may be more likely to be affected by your activities than your employees.

Control

Knowledge of legislation at the control stage is vital, and industry experience can be extremely valuable. You need to know what is legally required, the latest information on industry best practices and whether your existing controls are sufficient.

A plant risk assessment professional from Australian Risk Services can be of particular assistance at this stage. Being now familiar with your workplace, they can provide details on the best controls and practices for your situation.

Plant Risk Assessment Experience across Industries

At Australian Risk Services we are dedicated to ensuring safe working environments across the country. Through rigorous plant hazard risk assessments we ensure that all safety risks are accounted for, and go on to establish vigorous and efficient business processes. Our experience encompasses a wide range of clients across a variety of industries, giving us the skills to incorporate lateral thinking into the design of practical solutions that suit your business needs. Click here to view a list of our past clients.

Our keen understanding of the new legislation involving Work Health and Safety means that a plant hazardrisk assessment conducted by us not only protects your employees, but also protects you from a legal standpoint.

Click here to find out how ARS can help.

Service Standards

Each plant risk assessment conducted by ARS is according to Australian and International standards. Our team of experts has a keen understanding of the Work and Safety Act 2012 and Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 and can help you understand these new legislations so that you can better protect yourself and your employees. For more information on our services, or to speak to one of our experienced professionals, contact us today.

Past Clients

Some companies that have benefited from our OHS and plant hazard risk assessments are:

Tetra Pak

Kyvalley Dairy

Parmalat

Manheim

John Holland

Citywide

Moody Civil and Pipe

Isuzu

Hino Trucks

APA Group

Cleanaway

Our Process

Through our vast experience we have developed several strategies that ensure efficient plant hazard risk assessment. Our approach involves a sequence of surveys, interviews with key personnel and documentation reviews. We are strong believers in collaboration and will endeavour to transfer skills and know-how when working with your company. Further, we offer plant risk assessment training as a service so as to ensure sustainable OHS risk assessment for your company.

For more information regarding our entire portfolio of safety, environmental and hazard management projects, visit our main website here or get in touch with us at 1300 266 172.

plant risk assessment.

The first step to establishing a systematic, pro-active approach to managing health and safety in the workplace is a comprehensive plant risk assessment.

The legislation covering OHS requirements in the workplace varies across Australia. However, moves have been made towards a nationalized system with the introduction of the new Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Although being implemented in different phases by the states and territories, 1 January 2012 saw the commencement of the legislation in Queensland, New South Wales, Commonwealth areas, the ACT and the Northern Territory.

Existing regulations relating to plant risk assessment in other states closely mirror this legislation, and businesses will recognise the need to prepare for the introduction of the new regulations.

Who requires plant risk assessments?

Under the Work Health and Safety Act (and Regulations) 2011, plant is defined to cover items including:

·         Lifts

·         Cranes

·         Pressure equipment

·         Hoists

·         Powered mobile plant amusement structures

·         Turbines

·         Explosive-powered tools

·         Scaffolds

·         Temporary access equipment

Means of transportation, such as ships, boats, aircraft, road and rail vehicles, as well as manual-powered hand-held plants, are not covered by the regulations.

The new WHS Act covers any “Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking” (PCBU) involving this equipment.

Are you accountable?

Depending on where you are based, the new regulations contain broadened definitions of persons with health and safety duties, along with an increased requirement for duty holders to consult with others.

PCBUs are required to eliminate risks so far as is “reasonably practicable.” When assessing whether or not sufficient effort was made to eliminate risk, the act takes into consideration not only to what you know, but what youshould know about risks and hazards in the workplace.

Thorough, objective plant risk assessment on your own work environment can be difficult. Potential risks and hazards can be overlooked by non-professional assessors.

Benefits of assessment

There are many reasons as to why businesses should undertake thorough plant risk assessment:

·         Reduced likelihood of workplace incidents and injuries

·         Reduced chance of prosecution – Australian Risk Services carries out assessments according to the new legislation, which ensures that advice is relevant to your current obligations

·         Can implement more robust and efficient business processes

·         Better safety profile improves attractiveness to investors and potential partners and customers

·         Ensures machines are up-to-date with the latest legislative/regulatory requirements

·         Helps provide information for use in training and assessing competency of employees in safe operation of machinery

·         Protects employees – accidents can have many knock-on effects, for example reducing workforce morale

·         Learn about industry best practice from an industry expert

·         It is the best way to get updated and a thorough understanding of the latest regulations and your compliance requirements

Broad industry experience

ARS has worked with clients across a diverse range of industries, including:

·         Construction

·         Food and beverage

·         Meat production and processing

·         Logistics

·         Waste management

·         Mining

·         Air transport

·         Government

This diverse experience means that we understand the hazards associated with a wide range of equipment, can think laterally and know how to provide practical guidance on how to meet regulatory requirements.

Qualified advice

The aim of the new regulations is to provide a nationally consistent framework, reducing confusion, double handling and separate process development across different jurisdictions. The transition to operating under the new regulations, however, may be difficult, requiring consultation with an industry professional.

Australian Risk Services provides a range of other services relating to the new regulations, including OHS risk assessments for confined spaces, dangerous goods, hazardous substances, manual handling, working at heights and more.

We also offer training courses, environmental auditing and safety management system design.