In today’s rapidly evolving environment, where machinery and equipment play a crucial role across nearly every industry, it’s essential to consider the safe interactions between workers and the equipment they operate or work alongside. Ensuring the safe use and functionality of this equipment hinges on regular servicing, maintenance, and the suitability of the equipment for its intended tasks, along with proper training and familiarization for operators.
As a Health and Safety Consultant, we frequently encounter plant and equipment in workplaces that are either unsuitable for their intended purpose or inadequately maintained, with pre-start checks and other scheduled inspections often neglected. This issue is often attributed to a lack of established processes and procedures to address these needs, or to a mindset of “it’s not my job.” Moreover, there are many instances where the type of equipment is not adequately assessed or managed during the planning of safe work systems.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 mandates that as a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), there is a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers who work for the PCBU while the workers are at work in the business or undertaking, as well as the provision and maintenance of safe plant.
Recently, a company in Rotorua faced enforcement action following an incident where a 17-year-old worker suffered severe injuries due to a poorly maintained and non-compliant mobile crane that was unsafe for operation. Given the worker’s age, it was imperative to implement additional safety measures, including adequate training and close supervision due to his limited experience in a high-risk environment involving the safe handling of heavy materials.
If you’re uncertain about your business’s effectiveness in protecting workers and ensuring a safe workplace, please reach out to us. We can conduct a workplace assessment to evaluate your current compliance and develop a plan to enhance safety systems, including maintenance, servicing, training, and the safe use of all machinery and equipment.
