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
·
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.
