Plant is a major cause of workplace death and injury in Australian workplaces. There are significant risks associated with using plant and severe injuries can result from the unsafe use of plant.
Safety Services Australia has developed a Plant Risk Assessment (PRA) process that helps you manage the risks involved with using Plant and equipment.
The Plant Risk Assessment (PRA) is a tool used to determine if there are any hazards associated with any item of plant and machinery and to establish safety control measures (preventative measures) to prevent harm to life, health, property or the environment. The plant risk assessment should be carried out where the plant is located.
The plant risk assessment contains details of:
- Hazards that have not been eliminated during design and/or manufacture.
- The risk associated with each remaining hazard.
- Details of risk treatments implemented by the supplier to minimise the risk of remaining hazards.
- Details of risk treatments recommended to be undertaken by the purchaser.
- The residual risks associated with each risk treatment.
The completed Risk Assessment will include:
- Hazard Identification and Control Measures – checklist format, simply tick those relevant
- Monitor & Review Section
- Employee Sign off Section
- Hierarchy of Control
- Guarding requirements, and
- Risk Assessment Matrixp
When we complete the PRA we consider the hazards that may affect:
- The business / PCBU
- Plant operators
- Anyone working, or in the vicinity of, the plant, and
- Others who could be affected, such as visitors, contractors, etc.
The PRA is based around Australian WHS Legislation, Codes of Practice relating to plant and various Australian and International Standards including AS 4024.1-2019 Series – Safety of Machinery.
