S19 - Maintenance & Inspection Of Plant & Equipment

Inspection and maintenance of plant and equipment is a fundamental process that needs to be carried out on all plant and equipment.

The Maintenance and Inspection Procedure outlines what is required in a scheme for maintenance and inspection including:

• Boundaries
• Pedestrian and traffic routes
• Mobile plant (including brake testing), and
• Static plant (including guarding and structural integrity).

It is further supported by individual procedures in:

• LV and HV electrical systems
• Pressure systems
• Lifting equipment
• Pedestrian and traffic routes
• Operator competence, and
• Welfare and office facilities.

Additionally, there is a series of inspection templates that can be modified so that they are relevant to your operation.

What is this?

This is a written procedure which covers all aspects of the maintenance and inspection of plant and equipment. It also provides detailed information on its implementation within the workplace. A PDF of the procedure is available to download (see attached), please use it in conjunction with the attached Checklists and Toolbox Talks.

What is needed on site?

Inspection:
The responsible manager must ensure:

• A scheme of site inspection is developed identifying:
  • the items to be inspected;
  • who will undertake them;
  • how often;
  • how the inspection will be undertaken;
  • how the results will be recorded; and
  • the post inspections responsibilities of all involved.
• All areas of the site and the plant and equipment contained within it, are inspected regularly by competent persons;
• The accompanying generic inspection forms are modified as necessary to cover all site-specific plant and equipment;
• Employees and contractors are trained and authorised to complete inspections;
• Completed inspection forms are reviewed and action plans maintained to correct identified defects;
• Regular inspections are carried out by the site safety representatives or the safety committee;
• Regular structural inspections are undertaken for all plant potentially subject to deterioration from mechanical or corrosive damage;
• The frequency of inspections is determined by a risk assessment.

Maintenance:
The responsible manager must ensure:

• All plant, equipment and workplaces are maintained to a standard that ensures the health and safety of any person is not adversely affected;
• Appropriate schedules of maintenance and inspection are maintained for all items of equipment and workplaces;
• The workplace is maintained in a clean and tidy condition;
• All welfare facilities are maintained in a hygienic condition;
• All Personal Protective Equipment is stored and maintained as required.

What items will form part of the scheme?

The following items should be included in a scheme of inspection and maintenance:

• working faces;
• haul roads;
• boundaries;
• pedestrian and traffic routes;
• mobile plant (including brake testing);
• static plant (including guarding and structural integrity);
• operator competence;  
• pressure systems;
• lifting equipment;
• low and high voltage electrical systems;
• local exhaust ventilation;
• welfare and office facilities; and
• public road interface.

Note: For more information refer to the separate procedures which cover the above topics in more detail.

Review

A review of the scheme maintenance and inspection is beneficial at routine intervals (annually) to evaluate its overall performance and to ensure it remains effective.

Legislation

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999
• Quarries Regulations 1999
• Lifting Operation and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
• Pressure Safety Systems Regulations 2000
• The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
• The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Note: This list is by no means exhaustive but identifies some of the key pieces of legislation associated with isolation and lock off.

Associated documentation

• Generic plant and workplace inspection sheets

This workplace procedure forms part of a Health & Safety Risk Management System for employers in the quarrying industry. The procedures, which cover a wide range of workplace risks and hazards, can be viewed here