The operation of powered mobile plant operations in construction site exposes workers to various health and safety risks. WorkCover Queensland identifies these risks as:
- Plant overturning
- Objects falling on the plant operator
- Operator being ejected from the plant
- Plant colliding or coming into contact with people or objects (e.g., workers, other vehicles, plant, or energized power lines)
- Mechanical or other failures (e.g., hydraulic failures, release of hazardous substances)
Individuals required to operate or work around powered mobile plant may also face additional hazards, including excessive noise and vibration, exposure to hazardous fumes, fall risks during plant access or evacuation, and musculoskeletal hazards (e.g., access to plant, operator controls).
WorkCover Queensland defines powered mobile plant as any plant with self-propulsion ordinarily under the direct control of an operator. This includes earthmoving machinery (e.g., rollers, graders, scrapers, bobcats), excavators, cranes, hoists, elevating work platforms, concrete placement booms, reach stackers, and forklifts.
WorkCover Queensland outlines requirements for plant registration, plant design registration, and high-risk work licenses for plant operation as per the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation). Information about plant licensing and registration can be accessed through WorkCover Queensland.
Competency demonstration for operating earthmoving or specific crane plant (EPCs) does not mandate licenses under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Further details about licensing for earthmoving or particular crane (EPC) occupational classes can be obtained from WorkCover Queensland.
Legislation specifics regarding plant-related requirements can be found in the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, Part 5.1, Division 7, which outlines the general duties of a person conducting a business or undertaking involving the management or control of plant.
The following Queensland codes of practice provide guidance on managing the risks associated with specific types of plant:
- Concrete Pumping Code of Practice 2019 (PDF, 1.04 MB)
- Mobile Crane Code of Practice 2006 (PDF, 1.34 MB)
- Tower Crane Code of Practice 2017 (PDF, 1.56 MB)
| Specific legislative requirements for plant | ||
|---|---|---|
Powered mobile plant – general control of risk | The person with management or control of powered mobile plant at a workplace must manage the associated risks to health and safety | WHS Regulation 2011, s214 |
Safe work method statements | Safe work method statements are required for all high risk construction work, including any construction work that is carried out in an area at a workplace in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant | WHS Regulation 2011, s299 |
Powered mobile plant – specific control measures | The person with management or control of powered mobile plant at a workplace must ensure:
| WHS Regulation 2011, s215 |
Plant that lifts and suspends loads | The person with management or control of the plant at a workplace must ensure that the plant used is specifically designed to lift or suspend the load or, if that is not reasonably practicable, that the plant does not cause a greater risk to health and safety than if specifically designed plant were used. Additional requirements apply for plant not specifically designed to lit or suspend a person | WHS Regulation 2011, s219 |
Plant not specifically designed to lift or suspend a person | The person with management or control of plant at a workplace must ensure that:
| WH Safety Regulation 2011, s220 |
Preventing unauthourised alterations of interference | The person with management or control of plant at a workplace must prevent alterations to or interference with the plant that are not authorised by the person | WHS Regulation 2011, s205 |
Proper use of plant | The person with management or control of plant at a workplace must take steps to ensure the plant is only used for the purpose for which it is designed, except where it is determined by a competent person that there is no additional risk to health and safety | WHS Regulation 2011, s206 |
Proper use of plant controls | The person with management or control of plant at a workplace must take steps to ensure that all safety features and warning devices are used in accordance with instructions, including guarding, operational controls, emergency stops and warning devices | WHS Regulation 2011, s206 |
Plant not in use | The person with management or control of plant at a workplace must ensure that plant not in use is left in a state that does not create a risk to the health and safety of any person | WHS Regulation 2011, s207 |
Guarding | The person with management or control of plant must ensure that:
Guarding must also be of a kind that can be removed to allow maintenance and cleaning at any time that it is not in normal operation | WHS Regulation 2011, s208 |
Guarding and insulation against heat and cold | The person with management or control of plant must ensure that any pipe or other part associated with heat or cold is guarded or insulated to eliminate risks to health and safety | WHS Regulation 2011, s209 |
Operational controls | The person with management or control of plant at a workplace must ensure that operator's controls are:
Additional requirements apply when performing maintenance | WHS Regulation 2011, s210 |
Emergency stop controls | If the plant includes an emergency stop control, the person with management or control of the plant must ensure:
it cannot be adversely affected by electrical or electronic circuit malfunction | WHS Regulation 2011, s191 and s211 |
Warning devices | Where an item of plant includes or requires a warning device, the person with management or control of the plant must ensure the device is positioned to ensure it will work to its best effect | WHS Regulation 2011, s212 |
Maintenance and inspection of plant | Plant maintenance, inspection and testing must be carried out by a competent person. Maintenance, inspection and testing must be carried out:
| WHS Regulation 2011, s213 |