Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
The Safe Work Australia model code of practice on managing the risks of plant in the workplace: duty holders and consultation, hazard identification and assessment, the hierarchy of control, and controls from purchase or hire through installation, use, change, inspection, maintenance, storage and disposal, with guarding, emergency stops, warning devices, energy isolation, roll-away prevention, plant registration and records. Guidance, not law: once a jurisdiction approves it under WHS Act s 274 it is admissible evidence of what is reasonably practicable (s 275).
Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace is a compliance framework from Australia (model for the harmonised WHS jurisdictions: Commonwealth, NSW, Qld, SA, WA, Tas, ACT, NT; not Victoria) with 6 domains and 49 controls. The largest domains are Section 3: Controlling risks from purchase to disposal – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (16 controls), Section 1: Duty holders, consultation, training and registration – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (10 controls), Section 4: Specific control measures – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (9 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.
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Framework Domains (6)
Section 1: Duty holders, consultation, training and registration – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::1.2a | 1.2 Eliminate or minimise physical and psychosocial risks from plant (primary duty) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::1.2b | 1.2 Meet the specific duties of the person with management or control of plant (rr 203 to 213) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::1.2c | 1.2 Meet upstream duties as designer, manufacturer, importer, supplier or installer |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::1.2d | 1.2 Exercise officer due diligence and make workers and others aware of their duties on plant |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::1.3a | 1.3 Manage plant risk through the systematic process and hierarchy of control |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::1.3b | 1.3 Pass safety information about plant from designer to end user |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::1.3c | 1.3 Consult workers on plant risks and changes |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::1.3d | 1.3 Consult, cooperate and coordinate with other duty holders on shared plant |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::1.4 | 1.4 Provide plant information, training, instruction and supervision (r 39) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::1.5 | 1.5 Register plant designs and items that require registration before supply or use |
Section 2: The risk management process – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::2.1a | 2.1 Identify plant hazards across the whole life of the plant |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::2.1b | 2.1 Identify psychosocial hazards that plant creates and hazards that plant could control |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::2.1c | 2.1 Use plant that is designed to lift or suspend the load, and lift within limits |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::2.1d | Appendix C: Use the plant hazard checklist |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::2.2 | 2.2 Assess plant risks by severity, likelihood and exposure where needed |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::2.3a | 2.3 Select plant controls using the hierarchy and check they do not create new hazards |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::2.3b | 2.3 Keep people, plant and things a safe distance from electric lines (r 166) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::2.4 | 2.4 Maintain and review plant control measures (rr 37 and 38) |
Section 3: Controlling risks from purchase to disposal – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.1a | 3.1 Select suitable plant before purchasing or hiring |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.1b | 3.1 Meet supplier duties for second-hand plant and scrap (rr 198 to 200) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.1c | 3.1 Agree responsibilities when hiring or leasing plant |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.2a | 3.2 Control risks from installation and commissioning (r 204) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.2b | 3.2 Position plant so it can be used, accessed and escaped safely |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.3a | 3.3 Prevent unauthorised alteration and use plant only for its designed purpose (rr 205 and 206) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.3b | 3.3 Lift persons only in a work box and with plant specifically designed where possible (rr 219 and 220) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.3c | 3.3 Check high risk work licences before allowing licensed plant work (r 85) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.4a | 3.4 Reassess risk when the way plant is used changes |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.4b | 3.4 Control alterations to plant and register altered designs |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.5 | 3.5 Have a competent person inspect, test and maintain plant (r 213) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.6 | 3.6 Maintain, repair and clean plant under isolation and controlled restart |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.7 | 3.7 Leave plant not in use in a safe state and recommission after storage (r 207) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.8a | 3.8 Control the risks of powered mobile plant (rr 214 and 215) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.8b | 3.8 Fit and keep operator protective devices on quad bikes |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::3.9 | 3.9 Decommission, dismantle and dispose of plant safely |
Section 4: Specific control measures – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::4.1a | 4.1 Guard plant using the required order of barrier types (r 208) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::4.1b | 4.1 Design, maintain and refit guards so they work and cannot easily be defeated |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::4.1c | 4.1 Use presence-sensing safeguarding where physical guards are not reasonably practicable |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::4.2 | 4.2 Provide operational controls that are marked, reachable, protected and lockable (r 210) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::4.3 | 4.3 Fit emergency stops that are prominent, red, reachable and not defeated by circuit failure (r 211) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::4.4 | 4.4 Fit warning devices that suit the plant and its environment (rr 212 and 215) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::4.5 | 4.5 Isolate all energy sources before work on plant using lock-out |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::4.6 | 4.6 Prevent roll-away of vehicles and mobile plant |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::4.7 | 4.7 Place, check and remove wheel chocks safely |
Section 5: Plant registration – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::5.1a | 5.1 Register the plant design before supply and verify it |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::5.1b | 5.1 Register altered plant designs (rr 244 and 282) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::5.2a | 5.2 Register each registrable item of plant and mark it |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::5.2b | 5.2 Renew item registration and notify changes within 14 days |
Section 6: Keeping records – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::6.1a | 6.1 Keep records of registered plant for as long as it is used (r 237) |
| australia-model-code-of-practice-managing-the-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace::6.1b | 6.1 Keep presence-sensing and good practice plant records |
What is Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace and who does it apply to?
Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace is a compliance framework from Australia (model for the harmonised WHS jurisdictions: Commonwealth, NSW, Qld, SA, WA, Tas, ACT, NT; not Victoria) with 6 domains and 49 controls. The Safe Work Australia model code of practice on managing the risks of plant in the workplace: duty holders and consultation, hazard identification and assessment, the hierarchy of control, and controls from purchase or hire through installation, use, change, inspection, maintenance, storage and disposal, with guarding, emergency stops, warning devices, energy isolation, roll-away prevention, plant registration and records. Guidance, not law: once a jurisdiction approves it under WHS Act s 274 it is admissible evidence of what is reasonably practicable (s 275). It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
What does Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace actually require?
Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace has 49 controls organised across 6 domains. The largest domains are Section 3: Controlling risks from purchase to disposal – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (16 controls), Section 1: Duty holders, consultation, training and registration – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (10 controls), Section 4: Specific control measures – Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (9 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
If I already comply with another framework, how much of Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace do I already cover?
Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace does not currently have cross-framework mappings in our system. Check back as we continuously expand our mapping database.
How do I implement Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace?
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