Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00422:body:0:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00422
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 28068–30924

in the planning and purchasing stages. For example, purchasing machinery that is designed and built to produce low noise levels is more effective than providing workers with personal hearing protectors. This also avoids costly modifications to plant after it is purchased.
If elimination is not reasonably practicable, you must minimise the risk by:

Substitution – Substitute the plant (or hazardous parts of it) with plant that is safer. For example:
    * using a cordless drill instead of an electric drill if the power cord is in danger of being cut.
Isolation – separate the hazardous plant from people, either by distance or physical barrier.
For example:
    * constructing a booth from which the plant can be operated remotely, and
    * using concrete barriers to separate mobile plant from workers.
Engineering controls – Include modifications to tools or equipment, for example installing guards to prevent contact with moving parts of machinery or installing a roll over protective structure on a tractor.

Administrative controls – If risk remains, it must be minimised by implementing administrative controls, so far as is reasonably practicable, for example installing a tag-out system to ensure that workers are aware that the plant is isolated from its power source and must not be operated while maintenance or cleaning work is being done. Providing training and supervision, using warning signs or arranging work to minimise the time spent near noisy machinery are all examples of administrative controls.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) – Any remaining risk must be minimised with suitable PPE, such as providing workers with breathing protection, hard hats, gloves, aprons and protective eyewear.
Administrative control measures and PPE rely on human behaviour and supervision, and used on their own, tend to be least effective in minimising risks.

Combining control measures
In many cases, a combination of control measures will provide the best solution. For example, protecting workers from flying debris when using a concrete cutting saw may involve guarding the blade, isolating the work area and using PPE such as a face shield.

2.4 Maintaining and reviewing risk control measures

Regulation 37: Control measures must be maintained so that they continue to protect workers and other people from the hazards associated with plant. The control measures must be:

    * fit for purpose
    * suitable for the nature and duration of the work, and
    * installed, set up and used correctly.

Regulation 38: A person conducting a business or undertaking must review and as necessary revise control measures:

    * when the control measure is not effective in controlling the risk
    * before a change at the workplace that is likely to give rise to a new or different health and safety risk that the control measure may not