Fixed plant in packing sheds

The first step is to identify the hazards.

This can be done by considering the tasks being performed. The risks can result from the actions of workers, the fixed plant or the setting.

Ask yourself:

• Is the plant properly designed for the job?
• Are all hazardous parts protected by guards?
• Is the plant well maintained, and are all guards and safety features in good working order?
• Is the shed the right size and design for the plant, the number of workers, and the work?
• Are my workers properly trained in using the plant and in doing the tasks I’m asking them to do?

Talk to your workers and ask:

• Are you aware of any potential hazards?
• How can we improve our safety and our processes?
• Do you know how to report a hazard?

Regularly review your own records, and consider:

• What do your workers’ compensation claims, recorded incidents, sick leave, and worker complaints tell you about past incidents and hazards?
• What can you do to prevent the same things happening again?

Identifying hazards should be an ongoing activity and something organised at least once a year, or whenever there is a change in equipment, facilities, or work practices.

Next, assess the level of risk posed by each hazard. The risk level is determined by:

• how serious the potential harm is
• how likely it is to happen.

You can use this risk assessment template (DOCX, 0.02 MB) to guide you and record your assessments.

The law requires you to eliminate the risks if practical or to minimise them as much as possible.

Prioritise the controls that either remove the hazard or reduce the risk most effectively. Use the hierarchy of controls to understand the types of controls you can put in place and how effective they will be. The hierarchy of controls ranks types of control methods from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest.

Eliminate the risks as much as possible through good work design. Additional ways to control the risks of fixed plant in packing sheds include:

• installing plant according to the manufacturer’s instructions and only on flat and even surfaces
• ensuring guards are over entrapment points and are fixed appropriately and in sound condition
• minimising noise generation from machinery by:
  • providing attenuation guards
  • greasing and oiling moving parts
  • repositioning machinery
  • dampening vibration
• maintaining the plant to very high standards, and as recommended by the manufacturer
• ensuring adequate ventilation systems are in place to remove any fumes from the packing shed
• maintaining electrical safety by:
  • clearly marking circuits in switch boxes
  • fitting and testing safety switches (type 1 or 2 residual current devices) to power circuits
  • suspending leads overhead rather than on floors
  • ensuring full isolating switches for all motors are in place and near to workers
  • ensuring all circuits are intact
• training workers in safe work procedures such as:
  • machine lockout for clearing blockages, maintenance and cleaning, and emergency procedures
  • good housekeeping
  • start-up, operation, and shut down of machinery
  • operation of forklifts
  • avoiding manual task injury
  • being appropriately dressed, including wearing eye and ear protection, close-fitting clothing, and slip-resistant footwear
• rotating workers between different jobs to reduce fatigue and repetitive actions.

You should regularly review your control measures. Don’t wait for something to go wrong. If necessary, change or adjust your approach. The aim is to maintain a work environment that is without risks to health and safety.

Work health and safety laws require you to review controls:

• when you become aware a control measure is not working effectively
• before a change that might introduce a new risk
• when you find a new hazard or risk
• when your workers tell you that a review is needed
• after a health and safety representative requests a review.