Plant Risk Assessments
Greencap is now part of WSP
Property owners and managers are confronted with the need to meet a broad range of legislation, risk management and compliance requirements. This can include the additional challenge of navigating through various state-based requirements for portfolios operating across state borders.
There are many duties in relation to plant and machinery on a property – from designers to manufacturers, importers and suppliers/installers of plant, the duties extend well into the supply chain. For a person in control of a premises, this may also include being a PCBU involving the management or control of plant. Whilst the duties extend down the supply chain, ultimately this PCBU is the one with the end/ongoing duty to ensure risks to health and safety are managed in the workplace.
Greencap assists people who are managing and/or controlling plant in the workplace through the identification of hazards relating to plant, assessment of the risks associated and review of existing control measures in place and practical recommendations for additional measures to further mitigate risk.
The various state and territory legislation give guidance on typical control measures required around areas including, but not limited to:
- Guarding
- Insulation from heat/cold
- Operational Controls
- Emergency Stops
- Warning Devices
Benefits
- A review of your equipment to provide practical solutions for risk mitigation
- Learnings from incident investigations following issues associated with plant and equipment to apply for practical solutions and advice
- Simple to read reports with concise action identification and prioritisation help take the confusion out of managing plant and equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a plant risk assessment?
A plant risk assessment is designed to:
- Establish the current level of compliance of nominated plant and equipment on a given site against Health and Safety legislation, approved Codes of Practice/Compliance Codes and Australian/New Zealand Standards (particularly AS1657:2018, AS3760:2010, and AS4024:2014).
- Identify, assess and document observed significant risks associated with the nominated plant items; and
- Provide recommendations to minimise the risks associated with plant and equipment.
Examples of items of plant where this type of risk assessment is recommended include (but are not limited to) air conditioning units, air handling units, Building Maintenance Units (BMUs), chillers, cooling towers, exhaust fans, pumps (including fire, chiller, sewage and water pumps, etc.), generators, hot water heater units, lifts/travelators/escalators, roller doors/shutters, work platforms/cranes, etc.
Why are plant risk assessments important?
Plant risk assessments provide a detailed assessment of major items of plant and assist site owners, tenants, and/or property managers in establishing appropriate controls to eliminate or mitigate injury or damage resulting from hazards associated with the items of plant.
When should I invest in a plant risk assessment?
Greencap consults with the building owners/tenants (or their representatives) to identify major items of plant installed on site and existing controls pertaining to those items. Once nominated items are identified, Greencap then undertakes an assessment to identify potential hazards and prioritises risks using the International Risk Management Standard ISO 31000 and associated regulatory requirements (e.g. state-based Codes of Practice, Australian/New Zealand Standards, etc.).
How does Greencap evaluate risk in a plant assessment?
Greencap undertakes this risk assessment based on two critical factors:
- The likelihood of an event linked to the identified hazard occurring; and
- The consequence or outcome of the hazard (which indicates the severity of the risk in relation to the detrimental effects to humans, property and productivity)
By establishing the likelihood and consequence, Greencap can provide a measured overall risk rating (e.g. Low/Medium/High/Extreme). Utilising this methodology also allows Greencap to provide a consistent system of assessing risks and recommending actions across various sites within a property portfolio.
How often should companies request a plant risk assessment?
Greencap recommends undertaking a property risk assessment after a change to the site or the installation of new/additional major items of plant or the expansion/alteration of existing systems.
What is included in a plant risk assessment report?
The Plant Risk Assessment report provides a documented scope and methodology (including which items of plant were nominated by the site for assessment), detailed findings and recommendations, and risk assessment sheets for each nominated type of plant at the site. Photographs are included in each assessment sheet for illustrative purposes.
What makes our approach to plant risk assessments different to our competitors?
Greencap has extensive experience providing plant risk assessments, with experience consultants available nationwide ensuring we can work within our clients’ timeframes and expectations. In undertaking plant risk assessments for our clients, Greencap can provide third-party risk assessments ensuring no conflict of interest or association. Our risk assessment methodology and Quality Assurance (QA) processes provide for a consistent assessment across multiple sites within any given property portfolio. Additionally, our consultants are able to provide integrated services allowing reductions in disruption and overall costs when providing plant risk assessments at the same time as other services.
Greencap acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.