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We have developed a detailed Mobile Plant Guidance for the construction plant and equipment sector. The use of Mobile Plant in construction is common and carries with it significant hazards that can affect both operators of Mobile Plant and those working around them.
Within the Mobile Plant Safety guidance - you will find insightful detailed information on how to implement a machine safety management system for companies including jobs to undertake for each critical category:
Before procuring mobile plant
When managing mobile plant
Record keeping for each item of mobile plant
Record keeping for work activities
Plant encompasses vehicles, machinery, equipment, tools, vessels, and even aircraft used across various industries. In construction, this includes cranes, hoists, cutting and grinding tools, compressors, and earthmoving or excavation machinery. A subset of this is Mobile Plant, which refers specifically to movable equipment commonly used on construction sites, such as:
Used to lay asphalt on roads, bridges, parking lots, and other surfaces. These machines ensure even spreading and compaction of the asphalt layer.
Heavy-duty vehicle with an adjustable boom used to lift, move and place heavy materials and equipment on construction sites. Features various lifting capacities and reach configurations for different project requirements.
Specialized trucks equipped with a boom-mounted pump system that precisely delivers concrete to various heights and distances. Essential for pouring concrete in hard-to-reach areas and multi-story construction projects.
Self-propelled machines providing safe elevated access for workers and tools. Includes scissor lifts, boom lifts, and cherry pickers, allowing work at various heights while maintaining stability and safety.
Tracked or wheeled machines with a boom, stick, and bucket for digging, trenching, and material handling. Versatile equipment used for earthmoving, demolition, and general construction tasks.
Compaction equipment used to densify soil, gravel, concrete, or asphalt surfaces. Available in various sizes and configurations including smooth drum, padfoot, and pneumatic tire designs.
Versatile machines equipped with a front-mounted bucket for loading, carrying, and transferring materials. Essential for moving earth, aggregate, and construction materials around job sites.
Multi-purpose machines combining the lifting capabilities of a forklift with the reach of a crane. Features an extending boom with various attachment options for lifting, placing, and moving materials at height.
Construction work sites present a range of hazards outside of plant operation and so it is important for work area controllers to consider minimum safety standards for competency to access a construction work site.
The group should collectively decide the hazards and appropriate control measures that every worker must know, and demonstrate, to be safe in this job.
Work area controllers should have the ability to access both industry and company standards when considering minimum competency standards.
As a minimum, it is recommended that each trained operator should be assessed to measure their understanding gained through training.
Once an operator has demonstrated the minimum required knowledge of the standard by succeeding in a knowledge assessment, they should then demonstrate evidence that they are applying that knowledge at work.
Construction work sites present a range of hazards outside of plant operation and so it is important for work area controllers to consider minimum safety standards for competency to access a construction work site.
The group should collectively decide the hazards and appropriate control measures that every worker must know, and demonstrate, to be safe in this job.
Work area controllers should have the ability to access both industry and company standards when considering minimum competency standards.
As a minimum, it is recommended that each trained operator should be assessed to measure their understanding gained through training.
Once an operator has demonstrated the minimum required knowledge of the standard by succeeding in a knowledge assessment, they should then demonstrate evidence that they are applying that knowledge at work.
CHASNZ and industry; working together to achieve consistent site access standards and safer worksites for everyone.
When considering the question of what is reasonably practicable in the context of the HSWA the regulator and courts will apply relevant legislation, approved codes of practice
CHASNZ is seen by WorkSafe NZ as a provider of industry guidance for the construction industry.
The use of Mobile Plant in construction is common and carries with it significant hazards that can affect both operators of Mobile Plant and those working around them.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, duties are placed on those who control work sites, those who own mobile plant, and those who operate it.
This guide has been created to assist these parties in planning, selecting, operating, maintaining and responsibly retiring mobile plant in a construction setting.
Plant includes any vehicle, machinery, equipment, tool, vessel and/or aircraft etc. Examples in construction include cranes and hoists, cutting and grinding equipment, compressors, and earthmoving and excavation machinery.
Mobile Plant is a sub sector of this group and includes a variety of machines, including common construction equipment like:
To best understand this, your company should undertake a risk assessment to determine the best type of machine, or machines to suit the needs of the expected work activity.
When importing machinery, the buyer should verify that the manufacturing standard of the machine meets the current New Zealand, or International standard for manufacture. These can be found by visiting www.standards.govt.nz.
As part of a risk assessment process, particularly when considering a specific machine that is not newly manufactured, consideration must be given to the safety features of the machine in comparison to newly manufactured equipment.
The Act places duties on those who control work areas. Often in construction these are not the companies who operate mobile plant within the work site.
Those who control work areas are not always competent in assessing the requirement of mobile plant to undertake a specific task, and so there are cross over duties between the work area controller and the machine operator (or mobile plant owner).
Prior to selecting types of mobile plant for use in a work area, steps should be taken to ensure that any mobile plant in a work area is firstly safe to be operated.
CHASNZ and industry; working together to achieve consistent site access standards and safer worksites for everyone.
When considering the question of what is reasonably practicable in the context of the HSWA the regulator and courts will apply relevant legislation, approved codes of practice
CHASNZ is seen by WorkSafe NZ as a provider of industry guidance for the construction industry.
The use of Mobile Plant in construction is common and carries with it significant hazards that can affect both operators of Mobile Plant and those working around them.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, duties are placed on those who control work sites, those who own mobile plant, and those who operate it.
This guide has been created to assist these parties in planning, selecting, operating, maintaining and responsibly retiring mobile plant in a construction setting.
Plant includes any vehicle, machinery, equipment, tool, vessel and/or aircraft etc. Examples in construction include cranes and hoists, cutting and grinding equipment, compressors, and earthmoving and excavation machinery.
Mobile Plant is a sub sector of this group and includes a variety of machines, including common construction equipment like:
To best understand this, your company should undertake a risk assessment to determine the best type of machine, or machines to suit the needs of the expected work activity.
When importing machinery, the buyer should verify that the manufacturing standard of the machine meets the current New Zealand, or International standard for manufacture. These can be found by visiting www.standards.govt.nz.
As part of a risk assessment process, particularly when considering a specific machine that is not newly manufactured, consideration must be given to the safety features of the machine in comparison to newly manufactured equipment.
The Act places duties on those who control work areas. Often in construction these are not the companies who operate mobile plant within the work site.
Those who control work areas are not always competent in assessing the requirement of mobile plant to undertake a specific task, and so there are cross over duties between the work area controller and the machine operator (or mobile plant owner).
Prior to selecting types of mobile plant for use in a work area, steps should be taken to ensure that any mobile plant in a work area is firstly safe to be operated.
We are keen to hear any feedback from you and whether you need any other resources relating to Plant and Equipment. Please contact us on info@chasnz.org
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