Working with or around mobile plantMobile plant such as forklifts elevating work platforms delivery vehicles order pickers earth moving equipment prime movers and cranes have the potential to seriously injure or kill people if they run into them The purpose of this alert is to remind officers and workers of persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) of risks associated with mobile plant in the workplace and to provide advice on appropriate controls for traffic management

April 2013

BackgroundIn the last five years in NSW 10 workers have been killed and over 2000 workers have been injured in incidents involving mobile plant across various industries In just the last six months four workers were killed when they were struck by moving plant while one plant operator was killed when they collided with other mobile plant Another died when they collided with a fixed object

WorkCover NSW has already issued a safety alert and a code of practice outlining the risks and hazards of mobile plant on construction sites At the time these publications were targeted primarily at the construction industry However working with or around mobile plant is a potential risk at any workplace with mobile plant

Action requiredWork health and safety legislation requires PCBUs to ensure that risks to the health and safety of workers and others due to mobile plant (including vehicles) are eliminated or if this is not possible minimised so far as is reasonably practicable PCBUs must consult with workers when they identify hazards and make decisions about ways to eliminate or minimise risks

PCBUs must also provide workers and others with adequate information training instruction or supervision to protect persons from plant-related risks They must ensure that workers understand site specific safety policies and procedures for their workplace including any traffic management policies or procedures This includes workers of other PCBUs who share or utilise the workplace (eg other trades delivery drivers) and may also apply to visitors to the workplace

Specific control measuresEffective traffic management procedures should be developed to suit the unique requirements of each individual workplace The nature of the workplace can determine not only the type and effectiveness of control measures that can be implemented but also how often these control measures should be reviewed to ensure that they remain effective

Most non-construction workplaces tend to be stable in both site layout and work processes At these sites it is usually reasonably practicable to implement engineering type controls rather than relying on administrative controls Similarly a stable workplace will need to review the control measures less often than a workplace that is constantly evolving (in terms of site layout or work processes) ndash for example a construction site

SAFETY ALERT

Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) ndash Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation)

Part 31 of the WHS Regulation specifies the manner in which risks to health and safety in the workplace must be managed This applies to managing the risk of mobile plant which can be done using the following risk management process

1 Identify the traffic hazards This should be done in consultation with workers and mobile plant operators and should include

bull identifying where mobile plant (including vehicles) is in use

bull identifying where mobile plant might interact with pedestrians or other mobile plant

bull identifying potential collision areas with people other plant or objects

2 Eliminate the risk if possible (and practicable) This could be done by

bull designing the workplace layout so that vehicles and pedestrians are separated (eg separate site entry points overhead pedestrian walkways)

bull scheduling work so that vehicles and pedestrians are not operating simultaneously in the one area

3 If elimination isnrsquot possible minimise the risk as much as possible Develop a traffic management plan and provide training and instruction to all affected workers and visitors Control measures within the traffic management plan could include but are not limited to

bull substituting mobile plant with other plant that has less risk (eg replacing a forklift truck with a pallet jack if appropriate for the loads and site layout)

bull using bollards barriers safety rails exclusion zones etc to separate pedestrians from moving plant and vehicles

bull using audible and visible alarms to identify moving plant (eg reversing alarm flashing lights)

bull planning the sitersquos layout to minimise plant movement (eg drive-through access to minimise reversing locating loading areas close to storage areas)

bull establishing traffic flow patterns developing right of way procedures providing signage and implementing speed limits

bull using spotters or dedicated traffic controllers

bull restricting access to essential personnel only

bull using high-visibility garments

At most sites a combination of control measures will be required to effectively manage the risks associated with mobile plant

4 Maintain and review control measures Control measures need to remain effective particularly if the workplace is changing Systems should be in place to

bull assess the effectiveness of current control measures

bull allow reporting and feedback on the effectiveness of the control measures

bull ensure workers are implementing control measures correctly

bull identify upcoming changes to the workplace environment (layout shared services etc) or work procedures (new equipment or processes worker training etc) before they occur and assess the potential impact on control measures

bull identify and assess possible alternate control measures (eg new technology)

2

Further information bull Call WorkCover on 13 10 50 or visit workcovernswgovau where yoursquoll find the

Moving plant on construction sites safety alert (catalogue no WC05049)

Moving plant on construction sites code of practice (catalogue no WC01310)

bull Visit the NSW Roads and Maritime Services where yoursquoll find the Safe working with moving plant safety alert

bull Visit Safe Work Australia at safeworkaustraliagovau where yoursquoll find the following publications

Traffic management in workplaces code of practice (draft)

Draft guide traffic management construction work

Draft guide traffic management warehousing

Draft guide traffic management events

Draft guide traffic management shopping centres

This alert contains safety information following inquiries made by WorkCover about an incident or unsafe practice The information contained in this alert does not necessarily include the outcome of WorkCoverrsquos response to an incident or unsafe practice WorkCover does not warrant that the information in this alert is complete or up-to-date and does not accept any liability to any person because of the alertrsquos information or its use

Catalogue No WC03987 WorkCover Publications Hotline 1300 799 003 WorkCover NSW 92ndash100 Donnison Street Gosford NSW 2250 Locked Bag 2906 Lisarow NSW 2252 | WorkCover Assistance Service 13 10 50 Website workcovernswgovauISBN 978 1 74341 336 4 copy Copyright WorkCover NSW 0413

Disclaimer

This publication may contain work health and safety and workers compensation information It may include some of your obligations under the various legislations that WorkCover NSW administers To ensure you comply with your legal obligations you must refer to the appropriate legislation

Information on the latest laws can be checked by visiting the NSW legislation website legislationnswgovau

This publication does not represent a comprehensive statement of the law as it applies to particular problems or to individuals or as a substitute for legal advice You should seek independent legal advice if you need assistance on the application of the law to your situation

copy WorkCover NSW

Part 31 of the WHS Regulation specifies the manner in which risks to health and safety in the workplace must be managed This applies to managing the risk of mobile plant which can be done using the following risk management process

1 Identify the traffic hazards This should be done in consultation with workers and mobile plant operators and should include

bull identifying where mobile plant (including vehicles) is in use

bull identifying where mobile plant might interact with pedestrians or other mobile plant

bull identifying potential collision areas with people other plant or objects

2 Eliminate the risk if possible (and practicable) This could be done by

bull designing the workplace layout so that vehicles and pedestrians are separated (eg separate site entry points overhead pedestrian walkways)

bull scheduling work so that vehicles and pedestrians are not operating simultaneously in the one area

3 If elimination isnrsquot possible minimise the risk as much as possible Develop a traffic management plan and provide training and instruction to all affected workers and visitors Control measures within the traffic management plan could include but are not limited to

bull substituting mobile plant with other plant that has less risk (eg replacing a forklift truck with a pallet jack if appropriate for the loads and site layout)

bull using bollards barriers safety rails exclusion zones etc to separate pedestrians from moving plant and vehicles

bull using audible and visible alarms to identify moving plant (eg reversing alarm flashing lights)

bull planning the sitersquos layout to minimise plant movement (eg drive-through access to minimise reversing locating loading areas close to storage areas)

bull establishing traffic flow patterns developing right of way procedures providing signage and implementing speed limits

bull using spotters or dedicated traffic controllers

bull restricting access to essential personnel only

bull using high-visibility garments

At most sites a combination of control measures will be required to effectively manage the risks associated with mobile plant

4 Maintain and review control measures Control measures need to remain effective particularly if the workplace is changing Systems should be in place to

bull assess the effectiveness of current control measures

bull allow reporting and feedback on the effectiveness of the control measures

bull ensure workers are implementing control measures correctly

bull identify upcoming changes to the workplace environment (layout shared services etc) or work procedures (new equipment or processes worker training etc) before they occur and assess the potential impact on control measures

bull identify and assess possible alternate control measures (eg new technology)

2

Further information bull Call WorkCover on 13 10 50 or visit workcovernswgovau where yoursquoll find the

Moving plant on construction sites safety alert (catalogue no WC05049)

Moving plant on construction sites code of practice (catalogue no WC01310)

bull Visit the NSW Roads and Maritime Services where yoursquoll find the Safe working with moving plant safety alert

bull Visit Safe Work Australia at safeworkaustraliagovau where yoursquoll find the following publications

Traffic management in workplaces code of practice (draft)

Draft guide traffic management construction work

Draft guide traffic management warehousing

Draft guide traffic management events

Draft guide traffic management shopping centres

This alert contains safety information following inquiries made by WorkCover about an incident or unsafe practice The information contained in this alert does not necessarily include the outcome of WorkCoverrsquos response to an incident or unsafe practice WorkCover does not warrant that the information in this alert is complete or up-to-date and does not accept any liability to any person because of the alertrsquos information or its use

Catalogue No WC03987 WorkCover Publications Hotline 1300 799 003 WorkCover NSW 92ndash100 Donnison Street Gosford NSW 2250 Locked Bag 2906 Lisarow NSW 2252 | WorkCover Assistance Service 13 10 50 Website workcovernswgovauISBN 978 1 74341 336 4 copy Copyright WorkCover NSW 0413

Disclaimer

This publication may contain work health and safety and workers compensation information It may include some of your obligations under the various legislations that WorkCover NSW administers To ensure you comply with your legal obligations you must refer to the appropriate legislation

Information on the latest laws can be checked by visiting the NSW legislation website legislationnswgovau

This publication does not represent a comprehensive statement of the law as it applies to particular problems or to individuals or as a substitute for legal advice You should seek independent legal advice if you need assistance on the application of the law to your situation

copy WorkCover NSW

Further information bull Call WorkCover on 13 10 50 or visit workcovernswgovau where yoursquoll find the

Moving plant on construction sites safety alert (catalogue no WC05049)

Moving plant on construction sites code of practice (catalogue no WC01310)

bull Visit the NSW Roads and Maritime Services where yoursquoll find the Safe working with moving plant safety alert

bull Visit Safe Work Australia at safeworkaustraliagovau where yoursquoll find the following publications

Traffic management in workplaces code of practice (draft)

Draft guide traffic management construction work

Draft guide traffic management warehousing

Draft guide traffic management events

Draft guide traffic management shopping centres

This alert contains safety information following inquiries made by WorkCover about an incident or unsafe practice The information contained in this alert does not necessarily include the outcome of WorkCoverrsquos response to an incident or unsafe practice WorkCover does not warrant that the information in this alert is complete or up-to-date and does not accept any liability to any person because of the alertrsquos information or its use

Catalogue No WC03987 WorkCover Publications Hotline 1300 799 003 WorkCover NSW 92ndash100 Donnison Street Gosford NSW 2250 Locked Bag 2906 Lisarow NSW 2252 | WorkCover Assistance Service 13 10 50 Website workcovernswgovauISBN 978 1 74341 336 4 copy Copyright WorkCover NSW 0413

Disclaimer

This publication may contain work health and safety and workers compensation information It may include some of your obligations under the various legislations that WorkCover NSW administers To ensure you comply with your legal obligations you must refer to the appropriate legislation

Information on the latest laws can be checked by visiting the NSW legislation website legislationnswgovau

This publication does not represent a comprehensive statement of the law as it applies to particular problems or to individuals or as a substitute for legal advice You should seek independent legal advice if you need assistance on the application of the law to your situation

copy WorkCover NSW