Mandated Registration
In accordance with Schedule 5 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (the Regulation), the design registration of boom-type EWPs is a mandatory requirement. Section 42 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the Act) outlines the specific criteria for the authorization of plant or substances, and further details can be found in S246 of the Regulation.
The Responsible Party
The Act places an obligation on the person conducting a business or undertaking to ensure the health and safety of individuals involved in work activities. If you fall under any of the following categories within a business or undertaking involving EWP operation, you are considered the relevant person:
- Employer
- Contractor
- Self-employed person
- Person in control of the workplace
Certification Oversight
A certificate of registration for a registrable plant design ceases to be valid if the design undergoes changes that necessitate new risk control measures. For instance, modifications to the boom, basket, or levelling system, deviating from the manufacturer's specifications, would require a notification of modification to be submitted.
Interstate Registration Recognition
If an EWP design is registered by another State's workplace health and safety authority and remains unchanged in a manner requiring new risk control measures, there is no obligation to re-register the design before use in a Queensland workplace.
Responsibilities of Manufacturers and Suppliers
Manufacturers or suppliers of EWPs are required to provide the design registration number to each recipient of the EWP. The person with management or control over the EWP must ensure that the design registration certificate number is easily accessible in the vicinity of the plant at all times.
Modification and Manufacturer Responsibilities
In cases where an EWP undergoes modifications, the person responsible for the modifications assumes the role of a manufacturer under the Act. This individual bears the responsibility of ensuring that the modified plant is designed for safety and that the altered design undergoes proper registration.
Understanding and complying with these design registration requirements is pivotal for ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance of EWPs in your workplace.