Fixed plant in packing sheds: Specialized tasks in farm packing sheds involve the use of fixed plant machinery, including conveyors, sorting lines, and packing equipment. While designed to enhance efficiency, these machines pose various risks to workers during operation, cleaning, and maintenance.
Risks associated with fixed plant in packing sheds include:
- Injuries such as grazes, amputations, and entanglement due to moving parts lacking proper guarding.
- Strains, sprains, and fractures from slips, trips, and falls caused by unsafe floor conditions and storage practices.
- Musculoskeletal issues from repetitive wrist movements and awkward postures.
- Electrical hazards leading to serious injuries or death from poor connections and lack of safety measures.
- Hearing loss due to high noise levels within the enclosed space.
- Respiratory issues and other health problems from inhaling fumes in poorly ventilated areas.
Risk Management:
- For Workers:
- Prioritize personal health and safety.
- Cooperate with management to meet health and safety requirements.
- For Businesses:
- Follow legal responsibilities outlined in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
- Employ the four-step risk management process to address WHS laws.
- Utilize practical advice from the "How to manage work health and safety risks code of practice 2021" or the "Managing the risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice 2021."
The goal is to establish a collaborative effort between workers and management to minimize risks associated with fixed plant machinery in packing sheds, ensuring a safer working environment.
The risk management process involves four key steps:
Step 1: Identify the Risk
- Evaluate tasks, worker actions, fixed plant, and the environment to identify hazards.
- Consider equipment design, maintenance, worker training, and the suitability of the working environment.
- Engage workers to gather insights and regularly review records of incidents, complaints, and compensation claims.
- This step should be an ongoing activity, especially during changes in equipment, facilities, or work practices.
Step 2: Assess the Risk
- Assess the level of risk associated with each identified hazard.
- Consider the seriousness of potential harm and the likelihood of its occurrence.
- Use a risk assessment template to guide and record assessments.
Step 3: Control the Risk
- Prioritize controls that eliminate or minimize hazards.
- Apply the hierarchy of controls to understand the effectiveness of different control methods.
- Implement controls through good work design, following manufacturer instructions for plant installation, ensuring proper guarding, minimizing noise, maintaining machinery, providing ventilation, and addressing electrical safety.
- Train workers in safe procedures and practices, including machine lockout, housekeeping, machinery operation, and personal protective measures.
Step 4: Review Risk Controls
- Regularly review control measures to maintain a risk-free work environment.
- Address control measures that prove ineffective or when new risks are identified.
- Proactively assess controls before changes that may introduce new risks and respond to worker feedback or requests for review.
- Adhere to work health and safety laws requiring control reviews in various circumstances.
This systematic approach aims to continually enhance safety and prevent health risks in the workplace.
Standards and compliance
Codes of practice
- How to manage work health and safety risks code of practice 2021 (PDF, 0.65 MB)
- Managing the risks of plant in the workplace code of Practice 2021
- Rural plant code of practice 2004 (under review)
Related links