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Mobile plant

Frequently asked questions

Contents

  1. What is mobile plant?
  2. Why is mobile plant a problem?
  3. What type of mobile plant needs a WorkSafe licence to operate?
  4. What items of mobile plant need to be registered with WorkSafe?
  5. How can I confirm an operator’s competency to operate mobile plant?
  6. How close can mobile plant work to power lines?
  7. Does mobile plant need to be fitted with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS)?
  8. When does mobile plant need to be fitted with a falling objects protective structure (FOPS)?
  9. Do I have to use the seat belt when operating mobile plant?
  10. How can I prevent mobile plant from running over pedestrians?
  11. Do we need to fit reversing alarms to mobile plant?

1. What is mobile plant?

While there is no definition of mobile plant in the legislation, it can be described as any machine that is self propelled and controlled by an operator.

It includes:

  • Industrial lift trucks (forklift);
  • Mobile cranes;
  • Earthmoving equipment;
  • All terrain vehicles;
  • Motor cycles; and
  • Agricultural machinery.

2. Why is mobile plant a problem?

Mobile plant has been associated with a number of workplace fatalities and serious injuries, the most common being:

  • Falls from;
  • Being crushed or stuck by;
  • Run-overs by;
  • Machinery rollovers; and
  • Entanglement/trapped between moving parts.

3. What type of mobile plant needs a WorkSafe licence to operate?

WorkSafe issues national licences for operators of mobile cranes, concrete placing units (truck mounted with boom) and boom type elevating work platforms (greater than 11 metres boom length).

From 1 July 2007 a national licence will be required to operate forklifts as well as mobile cranes, concrete placing units and boom type elevating platforms.

4. What items of mobile plant need to be registered with WorkSafe?

Mobile cranes with a safe working load greater than 10 tonnes and truck-mounted concrete placing units with booms must be registered with WorkSafe.  If this mobile plant is altered or there is a change of ownership, then the plant should be re –registered. 

5. How can I confirm an operator’s competency to operate mobile plant?

Competency can be confirmed by checking the following before the operator starts to operate the machinery:

  • Appropriate certificate of competency/national licence (if required);
  • Other operator qualifications and training;
  • Information from referees;
  • Operator’s past experience; and
  • An assessment of theoretical and practical knowledge.

6. How close can mobile plant work to power lines?

Persons intending to work in the vicinity of overhead power lines should be aware of the "danger zone" for each type of power line:

  • Within 0.5 metres of a live insulated overhead power line or aerial bundled conductor line of a voltage of not more than 1,000 volts;
  • Within 1.0 metre of a live uninsulated overhead power line of a voltage of not more than 1,000 volts;
  • Within 3.0 metres of a live overhead power line, whether insulated or not, of a voltage exceeding 1,000 volts but not more than 33,000 volts; or
  • Within 6.0 metres of a live overhead power line, whether insulated or not, of a voltage exceeding 33,000 volts.

Working within these danger zones should only take place if the overhead power lines have been adequately insulated and effectively cordoned off or otherwise made safe, according to the requirements of Western Power or the local supply authority.

7. Does mobile plant need to be fitted with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS)?

Mobile plant needs to be fitted with an appropriate combination of ROPS, operator restraining devices and seatbelts where there is any risk of the mobile plant overturning.  Circumstances that increase the likelihood of overturning include:

  • Sloping terrain
  • Rough, slick or muddy surfaces
  • Towing or pulling objects; and
  • Operating near holes, ditches or embankments.

8. When does mobile plant need to be fited with a falling objects protective structure (FOPS)?

If mobile plant is used in situations which create a risk to the operator of falling objects, then the machine should be designed and fitted with a falling objects protective structure (FOPS) and a seatbelt.

9. Do I have to use the seat belt when operating mobile plant?

The operator and any passengers need to wear seatbelts that are fitted to mobile plant.  Any passengers must be in a seat and using a seatbelt within the coverage of the ROPS or FOPs as applicable.

10. How can I prevent mobile plant from running over pedestrians?

There are a number of methods that can be used to control the risk of pedestrian injuries:

  • Separating pedestrians from mobile plant by preventing access to areas where mobile plant is operating
  • Traffic management systems that control the movement of plant and pedestrians, for instance providing separate walkways for pedestrians and pedestrian barriers at building entrances
  • Communication systems between plant operators and pedestrians
  • Flagmen/spotters may be useful for controlling traffic in localised areas; and
  • Personal protective equipment such as high visibility vests.

11. Do we need to fit reversing alarms to mobile plant?

Reversing mobile plant is a dangerous activity, because there is a risk that people including other workers in the vicinity may be hit or run over.  If there is a potential for a pedestrian to be injured, then a suitable control measure is fitting a warning device, such as a reversing alarm and/or flashing light that can effectively warn pedestrians of the vehicle’s reversing movement.
 

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