Mobile plant safety

Mobile plant, including mobile crane, forklifts, elevating work platforms, order pickers, earth moving equipment and prime movers, have the potential to seriously injure or kill people. The purpose of this alert is to remind persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) of the risks of mobile plant at the workplace

PCBUs must 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 maintenance policies and safety check procedures.

Uncontrolled movement of vehicles

WorkSafe ACT reminds all PCBUs that the roll away of mobile plant, such as a mobile crane, can cause serious damage and a risk to life.

The uncontrolled movement of a vehicle can occur due to any singular or combination of reasons, including:

the operator not engaging the parking brake, or not engaging the parking brake sufficiently
the vehicle being left in gear
not parking on a level surface
inadequate inspection and maintenance of the braking system
inadequate design integrity of interlocked braking systems, and
failure of a component within the braking system.

To manage the risks of roll away, the PCBU, you must:

ensure the vehicle is inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations
be familiar with the components and limitations of the braking system that may allow the intentional, or cause unintentional, release of the brakes
ensure your workers are trained, experienced and supervised, and
routinely monitor and review all control measures put in place.

The roll away of a work vehicle is immediately notifiable to WorkSafe ACT on 13 22 81, or after hours on 0419 120 028. You must comply with the instructions provided to you about preserving the site of the incident and you will be asked to complete the online notification form.

WorkSafe ACT will be commencing a crane audit campaign in 2021, with WorkSafe Inspectors looking at the safety systems, registration and licensing of those workplaces with mobile plant.