Plant Mobile - Motor Vehicles

What is Required?

Occupational health and safety legislation requires employers to ensure that mobile plant:

• Is fit for the purpose to which it is being used.
• Is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications.
• Is operated by competent/licenced operators.
• Risk controls are implemented to eliminate or minimise the risk in the use and operation of powered mobile plant specific to the site.

Employers must also ensure that powered mobile plant is fitted with appropriate safety features and warning devices that are maintained and tested, to alert people who are at risk from the movement of the plant.

Working near overhead power lines is a high risk for mobile plant operation.

Risk Controls

The use of specific measures to eliminate or minimise identified risks should involve the selection of the most effective control measures based on a risk assessment approach and be specific to the actual working environment.  The following are some of the control measures that could be considered but are by no means the only options:

• Isolating vehicles and plant from persons on the site.
• Using fencing, barriers, barricades, temporary warning or control signs.
• Planning the direction that plant moves so visibility is not restricted.
• Implementing safe working distances.
• Using clear communication systems.
• Minimising amount of plant working at one time.
• Using demarcation lines or zones.
• Using audible reversing alarms.
• Using reversing/rear-view cameras.
• Using reversing sensors.
• Using flashing lights.
• Using high visibility garments.
• Using spotters or observers.