Work safely with plant and equipment

Plant at UQ includes machinery, equipment, appliances, containers, implements and tools. 

UQ acquires, uses and disposes of a wide variety of plant. All staff involved in the design, manufacture, acquisition, use, servicing, supply or disposal of plant must follow procedures to ensure: 

  • plant is safe to use 
  • staff are trained and competent in using the plant 
  • plant requiring registration is identified and registered 
  • plant is correctly maintained throughout its lifecycle. 

Acquire and supply plant safely 

Acquire plant 

Before acquiring plant, consider its purpose and how it should be used safely. 

  • Complete a pre-purchase risk assessment to identify hazards in installation, commissioning and use
  • Develop appropriate controls before purchase

For more information, refer to Section 59(6) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011. For assistance, contact your local HSW team member or the HSW Division.

Supply plant 

If plant is designed and manufactured by UQ for external supply, the responsible organisational unit must contact UniQuest for help with: 

  • intellectual property protection 
  • commercialisation 
  • compliance and safe use documentation. 

Ensure all documents relating to certification, testing, safe operating instructions, etc., are transferred to the recipient. Keep the originals and send copies to the HSW Division. 

For more information on plant supply requirements, see the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Verify and certify plant designs 

Manufacturers at UQ must not supply plant without design verification and certification. Work with designers to identify and correct flaws, following the Safe Design of Structures Code of Practice found on the WorkSafe Queensland website. 

If the plant is modified, you should do a risk assessment to determine if new verification or certification is required. Additional user training may also be necessary. 

Register plant and designs 

Certain items of plant must be registered with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ), including some where the design itself requires registration. 

The Property and Facilities Division manages most registrations, but each organisational unit must check its plant is registered before use. See the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland website for information on what types of plant require registration and plant design registration. 

Keep local plant registers 

Each organisational unit must maintain a register of high-risk plant and UQ-defined high-risk plant. Contact your Workplace Health and Safety Coordinator (WHSC) or Safety Manager for guidance. 

Maintain plant safety 

Qualified licensed professionals must carry out maintenance on plant and equipment. This includes the installation, operation, commissioning or repair of the plant. 

To request maintenance, contact PF Assist at pfassist@pf.uq.edu.au. 

Maintain laboratory plant 

When requesting laboratory plant maintenance, complete the PF306 Hazards in Laboratories form (DOCX, 45.78 KB) to protect maintenance staff. 

Follow safe maintenance procedures 

Proper lockout tag procedures must be followed when commencing maintenance, and all work must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. 

If you're working with any plant that is deemed unsafe or defective – for example, broken or missing guards – you must: 

  • take the device out of service by tagging and locking out 
  • notify the appropriate supervisor 
  • communicate any existing risk to all workers in the area. 

Once you have completed maintenance work, removal of lockout tags and devices must be in accordance with the Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) Isolation Safety Guideline. 

Use plant safely 

Plant use must comply with WorkSafe Queensland codes of practice: 

Always: 

  • conduct risk assessments and review supplier safety information 
  • follow competency and licensing requirements 
  • complete training for the plant or equipment
  • develop safe work instructions 
  • highlight emergency and shutdown procedures 
  • regularly review the effectiveness of the above controls. 

Update risk assessments, safe operating procedures and training requirements when processes change. Review processes at least every 5 years to ensure all information is up-to-date. 

Manage fatigue and medication risks 

Operator fatigue increases the risk of error, so ensure they take sufficient breaks to stay alert. 

If someone operating plant or equipment is taking prescription medication, you should follow all relevant safety precautions. For more information, see the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy. 

Dispose of plant safely 

Dispose of plant in line with Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace (2021).

This applies to selling, loaning, relocating or scrapping plant. 

Under Queensland law, disposers of plant may be considered suppliers and must follow the same requirements as supplying plant (see Acquire and supply plant safely above). Before disposal: 

  • decontaminate or disable the plant, including stored energy sources (springs, electrical, gravity, hydraulic)
  • provide safety information (manuals, testing, maintenance records) to the recipient. Retain the originals and provide copies. 

If the plant is relocated within UQ: 

  • assess it for safe use before transfer 
  • get the recipient to confirm in writing that safety standards will be met. 

If deficiencies are identified: 

  • fix them before transfer 
  • or prepare a written declaration of deficiencies and what is required to ensure safe use, signed by the recipient. 

For advice on safe use or disposal, contact your area’s WHSC or Safety Manager.