19.1 Introduction to mobile plant
19.1.1
Mobile plant is an essential part of the forestry industry. Examples include:
- wheeled and tracked skidders
- forwarders
- excavator-based machines
- haulers
- mechanised harvesters and processors
- wheeled loaders
- bulldozers
- other vehicles like light utility vehicles (LUVs) or quad bikes to move people or things.
19.1.2
In this document, 'mobile plant' does not include log trucks, utes or crew vans.
19.1.3
Each machine has its own characteristics and requirements and will have its own risks to be managed.
19.1.4
This section looks at the general risks of mobile plant and how to manage them. Some of this guidance applies only to certain mobile plant. For industry guidance, see Resources webpage
19.1.5
Table 13 describes how workers can be harmed.
19.1.6
There may be hazards that are not identified in this table. You will need to identify and assess health and safety risks arising from your own work.
| What could go wrong? | Possible causes |
|---|---|
| Ground workers being struck by mobile plant or being hit by object while working close to mobile plant |
|
| Operators injured while using mobile plant |
|
| Workers are harmed during servicing and maintenance |
|
Table 16: Examples of what could go wrong - mobile plant
19.2 PPE
19.2.1
It is industry best practice for the following PPE to be used:
- high-vis shirt, vest or jacket with day-night for added visibility
- high-vis helmet
- hearing protection (Grade 5)
- safety footwear (make sure machine operators do not wear spiked footwear)
- gloves – leather or thick cotton (when dealing with wire ropes or chains)
- protective eyewear.
19.2.2
Section 10 explains the requirements you must meet if you are using PPE to minimise risks.
19.2.3
Appendix 7 contains relevant standards for PPE. Look for the mark/stamp on the PPE to check it is compliant with the relevant standard.
19.3 Safe machine
19.3.1
A PCBU who manages or controls plant at a workplace must, so far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that the plant is without risks to the health and safety of any person.
19.3.2
PCBUs must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the provision and maintenance of safe plant and the safe use, handling, and storage of plant.
Safety and protective structures
19.3.3
Make sure any mobile plant brought into the forest is safe and compliant for its planned use.
19.3.4
Make sure mobile plant has appropriate protective structures and equipment that:
- are certified by the manufacturer or a Chartered Professional Engineer
- are suitable for their planned use
- meet or exceed industry or equivalent standards (Appendix 7).
19.3.5
Table 17 shows examples of protective structures and equipment. In some cases, and particularly with more modern machines, these different protective structures could be the same structure.
| Machine, location and task | Have the following protective structures and equipment |
|---|---|
| Machines working in or near standing trees |
|
| Machines working where there is risk of objects entering the cab |
|
| Machines (not including hydraulic excavators) working on sloping or rough terrain that may cause instability |
|
| Hydraulic excavators working on sloping or rough terrain that may cause instability |
|
| Machines working at night |
|
| Machines with structures that may come into contact with overhead power lines |
|
| Machines with exposed drumlines and rotating flywheels |
|
| Machines with hydraulic systems involved in lifting, for example, lifting trailers |
|
Table 17: Protective structures and equipment for mobile plant
19.3.6
For more information, see Resources webpage
Emergency exits
19.3.7
Make sure all machines and processors have emergency exits that can be activated internally and externally.
19.3.8
For the emergency exits, make sure:
- there are at least two (2) emergency entry/exits that can be manually opened
- emergency exits are not blocked or hindered by protective structures
- all emergency exits are accessible and usable by the operator – the operator will be able to exit quickly in the event of an emergency
- tools required to activate emergency exits (for example, hammers for glass) are kept in the machine
- where the machine has doors with latches, the latches function properly. Make sure doors are kept closed and latched when the machine is in use
- there is a process in place to get operators out if all emergency exits are blocked or cannot open.
19.3.9
Make sure training for machine operators includes checking their knowledge and use of emergency exits in the machine they will be operating and their ability to easily use those exits.
Working near water
19.3.10
Make sure there is a process to manage the risk of water entering the cab if the mobile plant enters the water. Consider the suitability of emergency exits (can they be manually opened?), escape tools, and a supplementary breathing system.
Braking standards
19.3.11
Make sure:
- all machines have a braking mechanism capable of holding itself and its load on any slope which it is operating on
- where winch-assist is being used, the winch braking system is capable of holding the machine if traction or stability is lost. (see Section 20.5).
Fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems
19.3.12
Make sure the type and number of fire extinguishers are appropriate for the size of the machine and they are serviced as recommended.
19.3.13
Make sure fire extinguishers are secured, easily identified, and easily accessible.
19.3.14
Make sure plant has a fire suppression system in the engine bay, so far as is reasonably practicable. If you do not have a system, you need another method to adequately manage the risk of fire in the engine bay.
19.3.15
Machinery used in the forest needs to be turbo-charged or needs to be fitted with efficient spark arrestors.
Seating, seatbelts and seat restraints
19.3.16
Have ergonomically designed seating and controls to minimise risk to the operator. Have seating with pneumatic or other suspension-type vibration mechanisms.
19.3.17
Have seating and controls that can be adjusted to suit the operator.
19.3.18
Make sure all mobile plant is fitted with seatbelts that meet relevant industry standards (Appendix 7). For mobile plant working on slopes with a gradient greater than 18 degrees, fit the plant with multi-point harnesses which provide shoulder restraint.
19.3.19
Make sure seatbelts and harnesses are always worn when the machine is in operation.
Emergency stop
19.3.20
Make sure mobile plant operated on steep slopes have an emergency stop button that immediately brakes the machine or winch (if relevant).
19.3.21
If the plant is used as a winch-assist anchor, have a monitoring system to detect machine movement (see Section 20.5).
Objects secured in cab
19.3.22
Secure all loose objects in the cab so they do not interfere with the operator or the safe operation of the mobile plant.
19.4 Safe practice
Machine operation
19.4.1
Operate all mobile plant to the manufacturer's specifications and limits (if supplied) or as modified by a suitable competent person.
19.4.2
Develop and put in place a specific hazard management plan if there is any risk of instability of the mobile plant because of slope, terrain or ground conditions.
19.4.3
Make sure the operators are familiar with:
- where the operator's manuals are kept
- the daily pre-start checklist
- what safety devices are fitted, how they operate and how they are to be maintained
- the lockout procedures for the machine
- how to de-energise the plant.
19.4.4
Do not allow workers to get on or off a moving plant.
19.4.5
Do not allow workers to ride in mobile plant unless it has proper seating and seat restraints for that person – this applies particularly to carrying passengers.
19.4.6
Make sure that if the mobile plant is left unattended with the engine running or shut down:
- the brakes are applied
- any blades, attachments or accessories are rested on the ground.
Daily pre-start checks
19.4.7
Make sure all mobile plant has a pre-start check in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations, as well as worksite procedures. This is both for the mechanical safety of the mobile plant and the safety of the operator.
19.4.8
Check (as relevant):
- the fluid levels
- the cooling system (including coolant levels)
- the hydraulic hose condition
- the tyre and track condition
- the condition and security of machine guarding, access ladders and handrails
- the operator protective structures
- the fire suppression system
- for debris in the engine compartment
- the appropriate equipment is in operator's cab.
19.4.9
Make sure the operator checks daily:
- the mobile plant's controls and safety devices
- that all objects in the cab are secured
- that any repairs or due maintenance are noted and reported.
Safe procedures for maintaining and repairing mobile plant
19.4.10
Service and maintain all mobile plant in keeping with the manufacturer's recommendations. This includes daily pre-start checks and regular audits.
19.4.11
Note and repair all machine faults.
19.4.12
Remove the mobile plant from use if the fault puts the safety of the mobile plant and operator at risk. Do not use the mobile plant until it is repaired.
19.4.13
Make sure tagout or lockout tag is attached.
19.4.14
Make sure your procedures for maintaining plant in the field are followed.
19.4.15
If you engage a service provider:
- make sure they have knowledge and experience in repairing or maintaining the plant type
- complete a handover of the plant including the current lockout, de-energisation state and any other lockout points required
- inform the service provider of risks (this includes for any felling heads)
- agree on how the risks are managed at the site.
19.4.16
This is an example of how you might manage the risks while maintaining and repairing mobile plant:
- Think about what could go wrong.
- Have a plan and make sure that everyone knows what is going on and who will be doing what.
- Have a designated area for repairs (if possible):
- Cone the area off.
- Make sure that everybody knows that any machine in there is not to be operated.
- Before starting repairs or maintenance make sure all attachments are on the ground.
- Isolate the plant. Engine off, take the keys out of the ignition, isolator on (if it has one).
- Turn the computer off.
- Put in any locking pins for booms, heads and anything else that requires them.
- Remove residual hydraulic pressure in the operating lines. As an extra precaution, if working on hydraulic hoses, 'crack' the hose by a turn, stand back and give the hose a wiggle just in case there is residual pressure.
- Put 'Do not operate' tags on the machine. Make sure that they are large and easily seen. Put them in critical places such as the cab door and inside where the operator's controls are.
- If working on fuel lines, get expert advice. Do not touch them unless the engine has been switched off for at least 10 minutes.
- If putting the machine on blocks, do not allow any body part between the top of the block and the frame of the machine.
- Chock wheels to prevent any vehicle movement.
- At every step, always think 'What if?'
19.5 Safe site
Managing worker/mobile plant separation
19.5.1
Make sure mobile plant operators are aware of who is in their work site, and where they are.
19.5.2
Stop work if there is any risk that a worker is in the vicinity of plant, and any worker who is not accounted for, or cannot be seen by the operator. Do not restart work until the operator knows where that worker is.
19.5.3
Make sure no workers approach mobile plant without:
- contacting the operator saying that they want to approach
- receiving clear approval to approach from the operator
- the machine being in the at-rest position.
19.5.4
More information about the separation distances for specific activities can be found in the relevant sections.
19.6 Using LUVs and quad bikes to move people or things
19.6.1
Other vehicles like LUVs and quad bikes are used in many forestry operations, particularly silviculture. While small compared with most forestry mobile plant, they still pose considerable risk, particularly from rollover.
19.6.2
Choose the right vehicle for the job – take into account the work, the terrain, the capability of the vehicle and its safety features.
19.6.3
If such vehicles are used, make sure:
- the vehicle has appropriate operator protection against the risk of rollover or tipping
- that operators have a communication system
- passengers are not carried unless the vehicle has been designed for carrying passengers
- equipment carried in vehicles or on attached trailers is safely secured
- appropriate helmets are provided and kept with the vehicle for the number of people it is permitted to carry
- the operator and any passengers wear the seatbelts and helmets provided.
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