Regular Machinery Maintenance and Safety Checks In The Australian Workplace

Regular Machinery Maintenance and Safety Checks In The Australian Workplace: Different types of maintenance and regular inspections help an Australian workplace be safer for employees.

Key Takeaways

• Machinery maintenance mainly prevents equipment failure and ensures the safety of your workers.
• There are different types of machine guarding to make your equipment safer to use by your employees.
• Different types of professionals may help with maintenance and safety checks.

Ensure your Workers have Updated Training

Your employees must have updated training for machinery and equipment so they are knowledgeable in checking, cleaning, and storing them properly. Visit the website of training.gov.au to find the current course code and list of registered training providers.

Make the Manuals Accessible

Your workers must know where to locate the machine manufacturer's manual for regular use and maintenance.

Find Someone to Perform the Maintenance and Safety Checks

A qualified employee, a third-party organisation, or a WHS consultant may help with machinery maintenance and safety checks.

Have the Different Types of Machine Maintenance Performed

There are different options to choose from depending on the purpose of the maintenance.

• Preventive maintenance: regular upkeep and cleaning of equipment to prevent problems before they start,
• Predictive maintenance: use of sensors and analytics to forecast when a machine might fail,
• Corrective maintenance: fixing an equipment after it breaks down, and
• Condition-based maintenance: evaluating the actual condition of an equipment before performing repairs.

The first two options are the most common in the workplace.

Implement Regular Inspections

Follow a workplace inspection program which should include the following.

• Daily inspections of equipment,
• Initial startup inspections,
• Walkarounds of mobile equipment before use,
• Daily and/or weekly supervisor inspections, and
• Weekly and/or monthly departmental inspections.

Consult with your employees and WHS experts when creating the program.

Perform the Proper Actions after Inspections

Ensure that repairs are done for any malfunction, defect, or irregularity. Notify your employees and put signs whenever possible.

Keep Logbook and Inspection Record Sheets

Record the complete details of all inspections, tests, repairs, replacements, and modifications carried out on equipment.

Have your Employees Conduct Pre-Use Checks

Make your workers check the following before using a machinery:

• Signs of damages,
• Leaks,
• Fluid levels,
• Safety mechanisms, and
• Damage to insulated leads and probes.

Encourage them to report any problem immediately.

Outline Safe Work Procedures for Your Workers to Follow

Visit the website of your local work health and safety regulator for guidance on creating a safe work procedure. It should contain step-by-step instructions on performing a task or activity safely in the workplace.

Check if Appropriate Machine Guarding is Installed on your Equipment

Seek advice from your WHS regulator in choosing the right type of guarding for machine safety . Options include fixed, adjustable, tunnel, and interlock guarding.

Images from Safework Australia

See if your Workers Follow Lockout Tagout Procedures

Lockout Tagout procedures help prevent your workers and maintenance team from being exposed to hazards due to accidental start-up or movement of equipment. It may involve the following processes.

• Shutdown of the machinery and equipment,
• Identify all energy sources and other hazards,
• Identify all isolation points,
• Isolate all energy sources,
• De-energise all stored energies,
• Lockout all isolation points,
• Tag machinery controls, energy sources, and other hazards, and
• Test by 'trying' to reactivate the plant without exposing the tester or others to risk (failure to reactivate ensures that isolation procedures are effective and all stored energies have been dissipated).

Ensure your workers fully understand the steps and are trained to perform them correctly.

Inspect the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) of your Employees

Check if your workers' PPE is still in good condition and complete.

Image from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

Verify that Signages and Safety Warnings are in Place

Adequate signage and safety warnings must be in proper places and your employees must understand them.

Limit Access to Machinery and Equipment

Remind your employees that only authorised personnel may control access to machinery and equipment.

Regularly Consult with your Employees and WHS Experts

Talk to your employees and ask for feedback regarding safety controls for the equipment. Consult WHS experts to verify that your workplace machinery complies with Australian standards and WHS regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is machinery maintenance important?

It's a legal responsibility, it helps your equipment to continue running smoothly, and it helps avoid incidents.

What are the most common causes of failure of a machine?

The list includes operator error, the wrong amount of maintenance, and physical wear and tear.

Is there a machine safety checklist?

Yes, visit the website of your local work health and safety regulator for more information.