Plant and Equipment Safety
Plant and equipment safety must be a prime consideration for businesses that operate any machinery.
Understanding Plant and Equipment Safety
Plant and equipment safety is the process of identifying risks and hazards associated with machinery and industrial equipment in the workplace. This usually involves implementing measures to prevent incidents and injuries to operators, as well as those in the vicinity of the machinery. Risk assessments and training are an essential part of this.
Plant and equipment generally include the following:
- Manufacturing machinery
- Mobile plant such as excavators and forklift trucks
- Cranes and lift equipment
There is often high risks associated with most plant and equipment, due to moving parts that could cause injury and death. and the risk of malfunctions or problems caused by human error. It’s essential to understand the plant and equipment in your workplace so that you can ensure the right approach to safety.
Plant and Equipment Risks and Hazards
Plant and equipment risk assessments are essential to identify hazards. Common hazards include:
- Poorly maintained machines
- Inadequate training
- Mechanical failures and malfunctions
- Noise exposure
- Electrical hazards
- Falling objects
- Vibration hazards
- Many more.
Each of these hazards can lead to serious injury or death, through crushing and pinching, electrocution, lacerations and more. Therefore, expert plant risk assessments are essential for avoiding accidents and injury and improving processes.
Plant and Machinery Risk and Safety Assessments
Our team of experienced safety consultants provide detailed safety and hazard assessments for all types of plant and machinery. We will take the time to analyse processes, inspect machinery, and identify any risks that may be present in your workplace.
At Your Safety Partners, our risk assessments promote:
- A safer workplace for employees, customers, clients, and visitors
- Compliance, and reduce liability for owners and managers
- A more efficient and profitable workplace
- Concise expert advice that covers all aspects of the plant and machinery processes in your workplace, improving the quality of work within your facility.
The Process of Plant and Machinery Risk Assessments
Our consultants follow detailed assessment procedures that ensure every aspect of your plant and machinery is thoroughly inspected. Years of experience ensures that our experts know exactly what to look for, and how to identify hazards that may otherwise be missed. Once the plant risk assessment has been completed, we will deliver a report with actionable advice and quality recommendations.
Our process is adaptable to different environments and industries, but looks a little like this:
- A safety expert arrives at your facility to assess your plant and equipment, processes, permits, and documentation.
- We take the time to find out as much as possible. The more information we have, the better the recommendations we can provide.
- We provide a detailed report and process documentation to create a safer, more efficient workplace for you and your people.
- A key legal requirements for all plant and equipment is too ensure it is adequately guarded. We have machine guarding experts that can assess machinery against the required standards and will ensure this guarding is thoroughly during any risk assessment.
OUR PROCESS
What do you get?
1
Safety Audit
We conduct safety audits to assess all machinery and equipment, ensuring that potential risks are identified and mitigated promptly.
2
Compliance Certificate
We help businesses achieve compliance by evaluating their plant and equipment against current safety standards and regulations.
3
Risk Scores
Our team provides risk scores and reports that highlight areas of concern, allowing businesses to fix any non-compliance issues.
Still have a few questions?
Speak To A Safety Consultant
What is plant and equipment safety in the workplace?
Plant and equipment safety involves identifying and managing risks associated with machinery and industrial equipment to prevent accidents and injuries. This includes conducting risk assessments, ensuring proper maintenance, and providing adequate training to operators.
By implementing these measures, workplaces can reduce the likelihood of incidents, safeguard employees, and maintain compliance with safety regulations.
What are common hazards associated with plant and equipment?
Common hazards include poorly maintained machines, inadequate training, mechanical failures, noise exposure, electrical hazards, and risks from falling objects.
These hazards can lead to serious injuries such as lacerations, fractures, electrocution, and even fatalities.
Regular risk assessments and maintenance checks are essential to identify and mitigate these hazards, ensuring a safe working environment for all employees.
Why is plant and equipment safety important?
Plant and equipment safety is crucial because machinery-related incidents are a significant cause of workplace injuries and fatalities. In 2022, there were 195 work-related fatalities in Australia, with machinery operators and drivers experiencing the highest number of fatalities by occupation (74 fatalities).
Ensuring safety protocols are in place reduces the risk of accidents, helps businesses comply with legal requirements, and protects both workers and the company’s reputation.
How can Your Safety Partners assist with plant and equipment safety?
Your Safety Partners offers comprehensive plant and machinery safety assessments conducted by experienced consultants. We analyse your equipment and processes, identify potential risks, and provide actionable recommendations to enhance safety.
Our services include developing compliance strategies, providing training, and assisting with machine guarding evaluations to ensure your equipment meets safety standards.
STATISTICS ABOUT INDUSTRY
Ensuring the safety of plant and equipment is vital for reducing workplace injuries, fatalities, and associated liabilities.
32%
Body stressing, often associated with operating machinery, was the leading cause of serious workers’ compensation claims in Australia in 2021-22, accounting for 32.6% of all serious claims.
6.5 per million hours
In 2021-22, the rate of serious workers’ compensation claims was 6.5 per million hours worked, reflecting ongoing risks in industries heavily reliant on plant and equipment.
14.7
Per 100,000 workers, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries recorded the highest fatality rate in 2022, largely due to machinery-related incidents.
Testimonial
Client Opinions & Review
Tyrepower has had an ongoing relationship with YSP and John Tregambe for last four years. John and the team at YSP assisted Tyrepower on a number of projects over this time, including the total updating and re-launch of the Tyrepower safety management system of our stores and offices. When you need any service, we go straight to YSP.
Michael Vassallo
Former Education and Development Manager (Tyrepower Australia and New Zealand)
Your Safety Partners are like having a team of in-house safety experts. They are extremely responsive, can support or run a complete GAP analysis, design tailored relevant solutions to suit your business quickly and then help you implement them, including training any third parties. All boxes ticked!
Karina Richter
Risk and Compliance Manager Hazeldenes