The ASCC Plant Standard Network met in Melbourne on 6 April. Below were the outcomes of the meeting.

Key Issues:

The Plant Standards Network was advised that the title of the group will now be known as the Plant Standards Technical Group (PSTG). A general update on the review of the National Plant Standard was provided, this covered:

– the ESO workshops that were held last year, comments were received from workshop participants and PSTG members and were incorporated into the draft ESOs, where possible – the report that Access Economics has produced on the costs of compliance with the current plant standard

– A legislative gap analysis is being undertaken, with the use of a consultant – OASCC presentations on the review of the National Standard for Plant at the Welding Technology Institute of Australia (WTIA) forums.

Conformity Assessments:

A general discussion on conformity assessment (CA) raised the following issues: – It was agreed that a CA process needs to be included in the National Standard for Plant.

– Some Australian Standards, such as the pressure vessel standards, contain provisions relating to conformity assessments that should be considered – Safety components of plant also need to be covered by the CA

– CA should be completed after manufacture and before supply. For some types of high risk plant it could also occur after installation (eg boilers and lifts) – There is a limited pool of people who can carry out assessments

– CA process will be more rigorous for high risk plant – CA process may replace the design registration process

It was agreed that the OASCC would arrange a workshop to develop a conformity assessment model and seek nominations from PSTG to participate. To focus the work ASCC will specifically look at Lifts (as high hazard plant) and Scaffolding (as a lower hazard plant). It is envisaged that the workshops will be held later in May 2006. Further information will be provided once nominations have been confirmed.

Essential Safety Outcomes:

It was generally agreed that ESOs should be included as a schedule in the National Standard for Plant rather than placing them in a code of practice. It was proposed to refer to ESOs as Essential Health & Safety Requirements (EHSRs). The current hybrid approach based on the EU directives with the addition of specific ESOs for high risk plant was generally endorsed, however the ESOs need to be refined and should also cover plant such as hoists, escalators and gas cylinders. A separate ESO for scaffolding may also be required.

Criteria will be developed for what constitutes high risk plant.

Response / Action Required: Please note nominations are requested for the Conformity Assessment Workshops to be held in May on Lifts and Scaffolding. Please contact Toula Papadopoulos if you would like to nominate a representative.

Toula Papadopoulos, advisor, Occupational Health & Safety

[email protected]