Download our free Plant Risk Assessment Checklist Template:

• Plant Risk Assessment Checklist Template .doc file (Word Document)
• Plant Risk Assessment Checklist Template .pdf file (PDF)

*For internal use only. Not for resale or redistribution. By downloading, you agree to our Free Resources Licensing Agreement.

Purpose of Document

Plant Risk Assessment Checklist templates are used to identify and assess the risks posed by hazardous plant or equipment in the workplace. The primary goal is to protect workers from injury or illness caused by plant or equipment in the workplace.

How to Use

A competent person (in consultation with workers) should complete a plant risk assessment checklist to identify the hazard posed by the machine.

This document is a template only and it must be customised for your business. Other aspects that may need to be considered include, but are not limited to, ensuring that:

• Relevant legal requirements have been met,
• Workplace specific risks are identified and managed, and
• Workers are consulted with during the customisation / review process.

When to Use

This checklist should be used prior to using hazardous plant in the workplace.

Who Should Use

This form can be completed by your workers, Safety Advisor, Project Manager or other competent person in your organisation.

Legal Considerations

There is no specific legal requirement to complete a Plant Risk Assessment Checklist. However, it is best practice, especially for larger companies. It can help meet general legal duties, including:

• s(19)(3)b WHS Act – Duty to Provide Safe Plant and Structures
• s(34) WHS Regulations – Duty to Identify Hazards
• s(203) WHS Regulations – Management of risks to health and safety (associated with plant)

The code of practice “Managing the risks of plant in the workplace” states that PCBUs should inspect hazardous plant, identify and assess the hazards and implement any control prior to using plant in the workplace. This checklist can be used to assist meeting several of these requirements.

FAQ

What is plant?

Plant in the context of workplace safety refers to machinery, equipment, appliances, containers, implements, and tools, including their components or anything connected to them.

What is not plant?

Plant that relies exclusively on manual power for its operation and is designed to be primarily supported by hand, for example a screwdriver, is not covered by the WHS Regulations.

What hazards are involved in plant operation?

Many hazards exist in plant operation, for example

• Moving parts
• Moving plant
• Equipment failure
• Electrical, hydraulic or mechanical energy
• Rollover
• Flying debris

Do you need a license to operate plant or equipment?

Legally, you only require a license to operate “high-risk plant”. For other types of plant or equipment, the level of training provided should be suitable considering “the nature of the work, the nature of the risks and the control measures required” – from WHS regulations. That is, for plant that poses no or minimal risks, there may be very little training required. As the risks of the plant increases, the requirement for training also increases.

Article Sources and Further Reading

1. Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace (Safe Work Australia) <https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/model-code-practice-managing-risks-plant-workplace>
2. Mobile Plant (Work Health and Safety QLD) <https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/hazards/workplace-hazards/construction/mobile-plant>