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Risk Assessment: Driving and Operating Mobile Plant

Document Information

Field Value
Document Reference RA05
Issue Number 2
Issue Date 1 June 2026
Next Review 1 June 2027
Prepared By Sean Ashton
Approved By Aaron Mason, Director

Risk Assessment Table

Activity/Process Hazard Who/What Affected Existing Controls Pre-Control Risk (S/L/R) New Controls Required Post-Control Risk (S/L/R)
Driving and operating mobile plant Unauthorised use or operation of plant and equipment Site personnel, visitors, and public - injury from improper operation by untrained personnel • Access to keys controlled
• Only trained personnel with valid CPCS/NPORS cards permitted
• Operator certificates displayed and available for inspection		 4/2/8 (Moderate) • Implement key management system with sign-out procedures Site Supervisor, within 1 month
• Install security boxes for extended parking
• Quarterly verification of operator competence Site Manager		 4/1/4 (Low)
Driving and operating mobile plant Rollover of plant or vehicle Site personnel - serious or fatal injuries if mobile plant overturns • All plant fitted with ROPS
• Seat belts fitted and mandatory
• No use on gradients exceeding 1:4
• Barriers near excavation edges
• Operators trained on unstable ground recognition
• Operation per manufacturer's instructions		 5/2/10 (High) • Daily site assessment for unstable ground/slopes Site Supervisor, before work
• Install physical barriers/markings for hazardous areas
• Additional training on hazardous terrain Sean Ashton, within 3 months		 5/1/5 (Moderate)
Driving and operating mobile plant Collision with pedestrians, other vehicles, or structures Site personnel, visitors, public - crush injuries or fatalities from impact • Pedestrian access restricted
• Trained traffic marshal or reversing alarm/camera required
• High-visibility clothing mandatory
• Designated traffic routes with signage
• Speed limits enforced
• Site-specific induction for operators		 5/2/10 (High) • Implement segregated pedestrian walkways Site Manager, within 1 month
• Install additional signage at site entrance
• Quarterly refresher training on plant/pedestrian interface Sean Ashton
• Consider proximity warning systems on larger plant		 5/1/5 (Moderate)
Driving and operating mobile plant Equipment failure leading to loss of control or malfunction Site personnel, visitors, public - injury from mechanical failure • Daily checks and weekly/statutory inspections
• Maintenance per manufacturer's instructions
• Defective equipment removed immediately
• Regular servicing by competent technicians
• Pre-use checks documented		 4/2/8 (Moderate) • Enhanced plant maintenance tracking system Plant Manager, within 2 months
• Formal defect reporting with escalation procedures
• Additional training on pre-use inspections		 4/1/4 (Low)
Driving and operating mobile plant Working in poor visibility conditions or at night Site personnel, visitors, public - increased collision risk when visibility reduced • Plant lights maintained and used when required
• Adequate site lighting provided
• High-visibility clothing worn
• Operations restricted in severe conditions		 4/3/12 (High) • Install additional lighting at key areas Site Manager, within 1 month
• Enhanced high-visibility clothing with reflective elements
• Risk assessments for night work Site Supervisor
• Additional banksmen in poor visibility		 4/2/8 (Moderate)
Driving and operating mobile plant Refuelling operations causing fire or environmental pollution Site personnel - burns or injuries; Environmental damage from spillage • Designated refuelling areas
• Approved fuel containers
• Cool-down period before refuelling
• Fire extinguishers provided
• Spill prevention equipment
• Emergency spill kits available
• No smoking/naked flames		 4/2/8 (Moderate) • Establish permanent refuelling areas with bunding Site Manager, within 3 months
• Training on refuelling and emergency procedures Sean Ashton, within 1 month
• Weekly inspections of refuelling areas Environmental Advisor		 4/1/4 (Low)
Driving and operating mobile plant Contact with overhead services Site personnel - electrocution, serious injury, or death from overhead power lines • Site surveys identify overhead services
• Exclusion zones per GS6 guidance
• Goal posts and hazard bunting
• Height limiting devices selected
• Banksman used near overhead services		 5/2/10 (High) • Physical barriers at overhead service areas Site Manager, within 2 weeks
• Training on overhead services and clearances Sean Ashton, within 1 month
• Permit to work for activities near overhead services		 5/1/5 (Moderate)
Driving and operating mobile plant Contact with underground services during excavation Site personnel - electric shock, burns, or injuries from service strikes • Service drawings reviewed
• Services located and marked
• Dynamic Excavation Risk Assessment
• Permit to Dig completed
• CAT scanning before/during excavation
• Hand digging to expose services		 5/2/10 (High) • Mandatory service avoidance technology with data logging immediate
• Enhanced training on service detection Sean Ashton, within 1 month
• Formal procedure for unexpected service discoveries		 5/1/5 (Moderate)

Key:

  • S = Severity (1-5 scale)
  • L = Likelihood (1-5 scale)
  • R = Risk Rating (S × L)
  • Risk Levels:
    • Low (1-3)
    • Moderate (4-8)
    • High (9-15)
    • Very High (16-25)
  • GS6 Guidance: Avoiding Danger from Overhead Power Lines