Plant and equipment safety | The College of Fine Arts
Plant and equipment safety
Before purchasing any plant or equipment a risk assessment must be performed and you must take into
consideration the following hierachy of control:-
-Substitute for less harmful alternative
-Engineering controls:- Is the equipment adequately guarded
-Adminstrative controls:-
-PPE:- personal protective equipment
In many cases a combination of controls will be necessary to reduce risk to the required
level.
-Eliminate the hazard:- The best way to reduce risk is to eliminate the hazard. For example
install a power point where required instead of using a long extension lead.
-Substitution:- If you cannot eliminate the hazards the next best step is to minimise the
risk of the hazard. For example cut out switches, extra screens and guards.
-Isolation:- Where possible noisy equipment should be installed in a controlled environment.
For example compressers at COFA located in garage.
-Engineering controls:- Retrofit cut out switches (Speak to the supplier of the equipment).
-Adminstrative controls:- Safe work procedures
Hazard signs, competency system, maintenance programs.
-Personal protective equipment (PPE):- All users of equipment must wear their PPE at all
times where required. PPE includes gloves, eye protection, barrier cream, aprons, overalls,
respirators, foot wear.
PPE should be selected according to Australian standards and manufactures instructions.
Review and monitoring of controls
To maintain a safe system of work all controls must be reviewed annually and the controls themselves must be monitored and maintained to ensure they are effective in minimising risks.