Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace 3.1a: 3.1 Select suitable plant before purchasing or hiring

Many plant injuries follow a failure to select the right equipment, so before purchase check the plant suits its intended use, environment, tasks and the number and kind of workers who will use it. Discuss needs with the supplier, who must provide the purpose for which the plant was designed or made, the results of calculations, analysis, testing or examination, the conditions necessary for safe use, and any alterations or modifications. Before purchase, hire or lease also determine the hazards across installation, commissioning, operation, inspection, maintenance, repair, transport, storage and dismantling, the controls needed, the manufacturer's inspection and maintenance recommendations, special skills required, special conditions or equipment needed and planned alterations. Check for features such as guards and protective structures that prevent contact with dangerous parts, sturdy tamper-proof construction, an unobstructed operator view, fail-safe operation, ease of inspection and maintenance, and low noise with no new hazards such as manual handling problems.