Machinery and equipment (plant) safety

Plant refers to any machinery, equipment, appliance, tool or component used in operations. This includes but isn’t limited to:

  • pressurised and powered equipment (fixed and mobile)
  • hoists, turbines, lasers
  • powered tools and welding equipment
  • scaffolds and temporary access equipment.

Plant may be located in offices, laboratories, studios, workshops or plant rooms.

Training

Common risks include entanglement, severed body parts and slips, trips and falls near equipment. Proper induction and training must be completed before using plant.

As part of your local area HSW induction you must be shown:

  • where to find Safe Work Instructions (SWI) and risk assessments for the plant and processes where the plant is used in the area
  • where to find and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) and emergency equipment
  • emergency shutdown procedures for the plant
  • Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures.

All users must receive specific training from competent staff with expert knowledge before using any plant. Users must be assessed as competent by the trainer before using the plant. See the HSW Induction and Training Procedure.

Training and induction records must be kept by the local area.

Need help?

Contact Health, Safety & Wellbeing at hsw@monash.edu.

Procedures and resources