Machine safety - Manufacturers, importers, suppliers and installers

Manufacturers

Manufacturers have a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that plant is manufactured to be without risks to workers throughout the lifecycle of the plant. Manufacturers must advise the designer of any hazards they identify during manufacture and discuss with the designer and controls the risks.

Manufacturers must provide information required to manage the residual risks to importers, suppliers or users depending on how the item is supplied to the end user.

Importers and suppliers

Importers of plant from outside Australia must take all reasonable steps to obtain information from the manufacturer and then pass this information on when supplying the plant. If this is not available importers must carry out any testing necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the plant is without risks to the health and safety of any person.

Any imported plant must be inspected, having regard to information provided by the manufacturer. If this information requires the plant to be tested then the importer must undertake this testing.

If an importer identifies any hazards, the importer must not supply the plant until the risks have been eliminated, or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable, or if that is not possible, advise the person receiving the plant of those risks.

If the item of plant requires any alteration as a result of testing or hazard identification, then the importer must take all reasonable steps to advise the designer and manufacturer of this.

Installers

The installer must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the way in which the plant is installed, constructed or commissioned ensures that the plant or structure is without risks to the health and safety of persons who commission, use or people in the vicinity.

Commission

The obligations of people undertaking commissioning work are similar to those of installers.

For more information on machine safety

  • Code of practice – Managing the risks of plant in the workplace (catalogue No. SW08839), SafeWork NSW
  • Guide for safe design of plant, Safe Work Australia
  • Plant designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers information sheet, Safe Work Australia
  • call 13 10 50

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