Plant & Physical Process

Plant & Physical Process

Plant & Physical Process

Hazard AssessmentDeakin UniversityPage 1

Deakin University

Work Safety Assessment:
Plant & Physical Hazards /

Last Update: 19 February 2014

Owner: Manager HWS

Instructions
1. Download a copy of the most recent version of this form from the OHS web site.
2. Complete this form with the assistance of your Supervisor prior to beginning work to record identified hazards associated with all teaching or research work involving machinery or heavy equipment (plant) or potentially hazardous physical processes, and the control measures which will be used to reduce the associated risk.
3. Forward this form and WSA Overview electronically to the Local Officer responsible for Plant & Physical Work Safety for approval & sign-off.
4. Once approval has been received, forward this form and Overview electronically to your Work Supervisor for overall approval and sign-off.
5. Work can only commence once overall approval has been received. Ensure all participants have access to the completed form.
Note: Completion and approval of this form is the key way for Deakin University to be assured that the Researcher/Student is aware, trained and adequately supervised in their specific work’s requirements for hazard identification, risk assessment and the implementation of hazard control measures.
This process is part of the requirement to document what has been done to minimise the liability of Deakin University and the personal liability of the Work Leader, Work Supervisor etc., Area Manager and Participants under the Victorian OH&S Act.
Project Leader: ______
Work or Unit Code: ______(Listed in Section 1: Project Information of the WSA Overview)
Section 1: Summary of plant & physical processes
Routine Work
 This work is best described as routine for which there is a defined procedure for use of existing plant or the physical process.
A full hazard analysis of the procedure and plant may not be required if already completed in a similar project. / Experimental Work
 The work in this project is best described as experimental and for which the procedure needs to be developed. Plant may be constructed, purchased or modified and will require a full risk assessment.
Provide a brief summary of the plant and physical process aspects of the proposed work, using plain language with non-scientific terms. (Include plant or process to be used, location, frequency of use and likely hazards for participants, as well as previous experience if applicable)
Location(s) of plant or physical work (include lab/workshop number or address if off-campus):
Section 2: Information about plant and physical processes
2.1: Hazardous Plant
Hazardous Plant under OHS legislation is described as any plant that is power operated, fixed, and:
  • Cuts, drills, punches or grinds material (e.g. powered guillotine)
  • Presses, forms, hammers, joins or moulds material
  • Combines, mixes, sorts, packages, assembles, knits or weaves material (e.g. collating photocopier)
  • Lifts or moves materials or people (e.g. forklift)
  • Boilers, pressure vessels and explosive powered tools
For more information about hazardous plant see the University OHS Manual.
2.1.1 Is there Hazardous Plant to be used in this work?
 No, Hazardous Plant will NOT be used – Go to 2.2
 Yes, Hazardous Plant will be used – Provide details of Plant and Go to 2.1.2
Hazardous Plant name/description / Location
Lab Manager to complete:
Are all relevant Plant registered as required? /  Yes /  No /  NR
Autoclaves and compressors (over 1 cubic metre capacity) must be registered with WorkSafe. See the University Guidelines for Pressure Vessels or University Plant Registration Licensing for further detail.
2.1.2 Routine work with Hazardous Plant is when existing plant has been previously assessed for hazards, there is a clearly defined procedure for its use and the work will fit within the defined procedure.
If non-routine work is planned or Hazardous Plant has not been assessed, an assessment of potential hazards is required, and a safe operating procedure is to be written and approved by the work supervisor prior to work commencing.
Is the work with Hazardous Plant considered Routine Work?
 Yes, all work planned with Hazardous Plant is considered Routine Work (all work will follow a written procedure approved by the Work Supervisor)
 No, work is considered non-routine. Please select:
 An assessment of non-routine work or Hazardous Plant is attached
 Assessment of non-routine work or Hazardous Plant will be completed and approved by the Work Supervisor prior to work commencing
2.1.3 Will Hazardous Plant be modified in any way so that it will be used differently from its initial intended use? This includes removing or replacing guarding.
 No - Go to 2.1.4
 Yes – Provide details of plant and modifications to be made
Hazardous Plant name/description / Location / Modifications
2.1.4 Will any Hazardous Plant be designed, manufactured or supplied for use in a workplace (including at Deakin)?
 No - Go to 2.1.5
 Yes – There are additional requirements under OHS legislation. Contact the University Manager, OHS & Wellbeing for advice.
2.1.5 Will any of the work take place in the field or at a location controlled by another organisation?
 No - Go to Section 2.2
 Yes – Complete Fieldwork & Off-Campus Activities Work Safety Assessment
2.2: Hazardous Manual Handling & Physical Processes
Manual Handling means using your body to exert force to handle, support or restrain any object and includes not only lifting and carrying but also repetitive tasks.
A Hazardous Manual Handling Task is any manual handling task that has the potential to cause injury
(E.g. lifting heavy objects, routine lifting of objects, etc.).
If hazardous manual handling is planned, an assessment of potential hazards and control measures to be used is required. A safe working procedure is to be written and approved by the work supervisor prior to work commencing.
For more information about hazardous manual handling including risk assessment assistance see the University OHS Manual.
2.2.1 Will the work involve hazardous manual handling tasks?
 No – Go to 2.2.2
 Yes – Provide details of hazardous manual handling tasks. Indicate whether the a risk assessment has been completed and if a safe working procedure is available
Hazardous manual handling task (include location) / Risk assessment completed (Y/N) / Safe Working Procedure available (Y/N)
Where a risk assessment or safe working procedure is not available:
 Risk Assessment of hazardous manual handling task and Safe Working Procedure will be completed and approved by the Work Supervisor prior to work commencing
 Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedure not required because:
2.2.2 Other than hazardous plant and manual handling are there any hazardous physical processes to be undertaken in this work (e.g. welding)?
 No – Go to Section 3
 Yes – Provide details of processes:
Description of hazardous physical process / Location / Safe Working Procedure Available (Y/N)
Section 3: Control measures
Identify and provide details of controls will be used other than those identified above to reduce the overall risk
Elimination & Substitution / Details
Has elimination of the hazardous plant or activity been considered?
 Yes /  No
Has substitution of a less hazardous piece of equipment or activity been considered?
 Yes /  No
Engineering & Isolation Controls / Details
 Additional guarding fitted/used
 Air extraction system
 Safe lifting devices
 Other Engineering controls
Administrative Controls / Details
 All participants are/will be trained in safe use of all Hazardous Plant. Provide date and location of training if applicable.
Is further training required before work commences? /  Yes /  No, previously completed
 Work procedures (e.g. work in office hours only, no remote work etc.). List procedures to be used.
 Written Emergency Procedure (e.g. who to contact in case of accident, closest emergency facility). List procedures to be used.
 Other Administrative controls
Personal Protective Equipment / Details
 Any PPE outside normal workshop or lab requirements (e.g. helmets, gloves, hearing protection, heatproof clothing)
Section 4: Safety Officer Approval
Local Officer Responsible for Plant & Physical Process Work Safety
Comments and Conditions
I believe so far as is practicable that the plant and physical process hazards described for this work have been fully identified, and that the controls implemented are adequate to minimise risk as much as possible.
Name: / Position Title:
Signature: / Date:
Plant & Physical Process Safety Contacts
Contacts / Faculty / School / Division / Phone/Email
Matthew Connolly
SEBE Manager, Health, Safety & Environment / SEBE (G) / 71370
matthewc
Mark Mitchell
Manager, IT & OHS / Engineering (G) / 71141
mmitchel
Colin Magilton
Technical Manager / L&ES (W) / 33471
colinm
Michael Holmes
Technical Services Coordinator / L&ES (B) / 17340
mholmes
Tim Sanders
Technical Services Coordinator / L&ES (G) / 72992
tts
Andrew Howarth
Laboratory Manager / SENS (B) / 17289
howartha
Helen Barry
Laboratory Manager / Medicine (G) / 71267
hbarry
Des Walters
Senior Technical Officer / A&B (F) / 78357
dwalt
Steve Atkinson
GTP Safety and Facilities Manager / GTP, IFM (G) / 73354
steve.atkinson