Hazard Sheet 19 Inspections of Plant and Equipment

Inspections of Plant and Equipment

Inspections
An important part of site safety is ensuring that regular and routine checks are carried out on certain items of plant and equipment. The table
below provides a general summary of recommended min periods for certain items of equipment that should be subject to a routine check.
An inspection is something that would be carried out on site by someone who is competent and an examination is something that would
generally be carried out by a competent person, usually a person with an engineering qualification who is external to the organisation such
as an insurance company.

Table 1 - Recommended Inspection Requirements

Item Before After After an Before Every 7 days 6 monthly 12 monthly

first use alteration, event likely start of & record Record Record
addition etc to affect shift required required required
stability e.g.
fall of
material or
performance
Working platform including
guard rails and toe boards

Mobile scaffold
If in use for more
than 7 days
Mobile elevated working As per manufacturer’s recommended
platform (MEWP) requirements

Personal suspension
e.g. bosun’s chair, cradles

Not likely unless

Fall arrest equip temporary
e.g. harness and lanyard lifelines are in use

Ladders

Supported excavations

Cofferdam
(water tight enclosure)

Caisson

Lifting tackle
e.g. slings, chains, hooks etc

Lifting machines
e.g. cranes, hoists etc

Lift trucks Lifting chains

Air receivers

Portable electric tools Non battery check &

register
operated (110 and 220v)

Vehicles & mobile plant Not applicable

Tyres,
brakes As per manufacturer’s recommended
lights, requirements
mirrors
etc
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 Hazard Sheet 19 Inspections of Plant and Equipment

Inspections of Plant and Equipment Cont...

Table 2 - Examples of typical scaffolding faults

Soft and uneven ground

Footings No base plates
No sole plates undermined
Not vertical
Standards (uprights) Jointed at same height
Wrong spacing damaged
Not level
Ledgers Joints in same bay
Loose
Damaged
Some missing
Bracing Loose
Wrong fittings
Wrong spacing
Putlogs & transoms
Loose
(cross support)
Poorly supported
Wrong fittings
Loose
Couplings
Damaged
No check couplers
Wrong spacing
Bridles
Wrong couplings
No check couplers
Some missing
Ties Loose
Insufficient
Bad boards
Boarding Incomplete
Insufficient supports
Wrong height
Guard rails and toe boards Loose
Some missing
Damaged
ladders Insufficient length
Not tied or secured.

Example of information required in a typical inspection report

1 Date and time of inspection
2 Site address
3 Exact location and description of the workplace including any plant or equipment inspected.
4 Description of any non compliances or matters on concern in respect of H&S to the persons using the workplace, plant or equipment
5 Can the work continue to be done safely? if no then prohibit its use and record name of person informed. Also place sign informing all
persons that it is out of use.
6 Action required to remedy the defect or shortcoming.
7 Details of any other action that may be required
8 Name of person of making the report
9 Signed and dated
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