Plant and Equipment

The use of plant is diverse in the construction industry. From lifts, cranes, machinery, conveyors, forklifts, vehicles, power tools and mobile plant, there are different types of plant used for almost every activity.

Baseline Project Team MUST Identify the risks arising from use of mobile plant and equipment, assessed and controlled in the Project Risk Register, in accordance with the hierarchy of controls

All plant required will be identified and movement within the construction zone will be assessed with effective engineering controls applied

Emergency procedures shall be established specific to the known mobile plant and equipment being utilised for the project.

All contractors must identify any High Risk activity within their scope of work, evidence of experience carrying out this activity, provision for full time supervision, relevant licenses and competencies of supervisor and workers

All contractors are required to develop and submit, a specific safe system of work, e.g. SWMS, for this High Risk activity to the Baseline site representative for approval (7days) prior to commencing works

All contractors utilising moving plant will provide exclusion zones created with physical barriers and spotters to monitor for crush scenarios

This MUST include an Emergency Procedure / Rescue Plan, specific to the item of plant or equipment, evidence that supervisors and workers are trained in the procedure

The Baseline expectation is that our contractors will follow all safety requirements listed within our standards

Note: Where a Verification of Competency (VOC) is required, a letter from the employer stating competence will NOT suffice

Prior to commencing work on the project all items of mobile plant must complete a Plant & Equipment Induction verifying:

- Exclusion zones can be provided not affecting access

− Plant risk assessments are available;

− Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) manuals are available;

− Inspection and maintenance programs specific to the mobile plant are identified and recorded in the Inspection, Test and Maintenance Register; and

− Maintenance records and log books are available and up to date.

NOTE: Risk Assessment shall determine the need for a Vehicle Management Plan to control the movement of plant and vehicles on site.

Prior to commencing heavy plant operations the SWMS and competencies MUST be approved by the Baseline site manager.

Hard barrier exclusion zones have been created and/or spotters are in place where crush injury risk is present

For all heavy plant activities a toolbox talk must be conducted by a Baseline Project Team member immediately prior to commencing operations, and include all workers involved in the activity.

Permits required e.g. Excavation must be submitted and approved

Note: Where required, Vehicle Management Plan is to control the movement of plant and vehicles on site must be adhered to by all contractors

Baseline site manager / supervisor MUST monitor the plant movements and activity until the work activity has been completed.

A Task Observation should be conducted by a Baseline Project Team member to record the works being carried out as per approved SWMS.

The Baseline site representative shall ensure, as part of the Site Inspection, that maintenance requirements are met for all items of mobile plant and equipment.

Daily plant inspections should be conducted as per manufactures instructions by the competent operator prior to each use

At the end of daily plant activities, all plant MUST be stored and secured in safe areas and keys removed

Battery powered plant items should not be left on charge overnight

Where possible, design should be considered to eliminate risk (e.g., design of items to enable assembly on site rather than use of a crane for installation).

Plant should be selected to be appropriate for the task with consideration for the risk involved in its use (e.g. using a conveyor instead of a forklift to transport materials).

Exclusion zones and / or vehicle management plans are to be established around areas of operating mobile plant and or designated loading / unloading areas

Plant safety devices are to be operational, checked and certified where required including warning devices, emergency stops, guards, flashing lights, reverse beepers, SWL’s, seatbelts and ROPs and FOPs.

Plant inspection and maintenance requirements are to be verified as carried out in accordance with the Inspection and Test Schedule, applicable legislation, codes of practice and Australian standards.

Plant defects are to be recorded and reported immediately to the Baseline site representative.

Hazards relevant to the location (e.g. overhead or underground services, neighbouring buildings, traffic areas, uneven ground, adverse weather or live environments) shall be identified and strategies to prevent harm or damage documented

Appropriate PPE should be worn for the work being conducted, including but not limited to reflective stripes, gloves, hard hats and / or harnesses.