{"id":"sl-1950-7","name":"Machinery Regulation 1950","slug":"machinery-regulation-1950","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"7 of 1950","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173405,"registerId":"act-sl-1950-7-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Machinery Regulation 1950","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nSL1950-7\nmade under the\nMachinery Act 1949\nRepublication No 8\nEffective: 26 November 2025\nRepublication date: 26 November 2025\nLast amendment made by A2025-29\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Machinery Regulation 1950, made under the Machinery Act 1949\n(including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes))\nas in force on 26 November 2025. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or\nexpiry affecting this republished law to 26 November 2025.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol M appears\nimmediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying provision appears in the\nendnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nmade under the\nMachinery Act 1949\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation 2\n2 Dictionary 2\n3 Notes 2\n5 Machinery to which regulation does not apply 2\n6 Exemption from application of regulation 3\nPart 2 Inspections\n7 Authority as inspector 4\n8 Power of entry 4\n9 Inspector may call in aid 4\n10 Occupier to allow entry and inspection 4\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Safety provisions\n12 Notice of ownership of machinery 5\n13 Dangerous machinery 5\n14 Traversing carriage of self-acting machinery 6\n15 Risk of accident 6\n16 Circular saws 11\n17 Faulty or defective machinery 13\n18 Appeal 14\n19 Notice of accident, loss of life or injury 14\n20 Notice in other cases 15\n21 Reporting machinery likely to cause injury 15\n22 Removing safety devices 15\nPart 4 Noise\n22A Meaning of ear protection device 16\n22B Hearing conservation 16\n22C Duty to wear ear protection devices 17\n22D Defence 18\nPart 5 Miscellaneous\n23 Liability apart from regulation not affected 19\nDictionary 20\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 22\n2 Abbreviation key 22\n3 Legislation history 23\n4 Amendment history 26\n5 Earlier republications 29\n\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nmade under the\nMachinery Act 1949\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation\nThis regulation is the Machinery Regulation 1950.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this regulation is part of this regulation.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this regulation defines certain terms used in\nthis regulation, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other\nterms defined elsewhere in this regulation.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘ear protection device, for part 4\n(Noise)—see section 22A.’ means that the term ‘ear protection device’ is\ndefined in that section for part 4.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire regulation unless the definition, or another provision of the\nregulation, provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears\n(see Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n3 Notes\nA note included in this regulation is explanatory and is not part of this\nregulation.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n5 Machinery to which regulation does not apply\nThis regulation does not apply to machinery—\n(a) used on, or employed in the working of, the Commonwealth\nRailways; or\n(b) being, or forming part of, the propelling machinery of a punt,\nraft, boat, ship or vessel; or\n(c) being, or forming part of, the propelling machinery of a motor\nvehicle, while that machinery is being used only for the\npropulsion of the motor vehicle; or\n\nPreliminary Part 1\nSection 6\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(d) being, or forming part of, the propelling machinery of a traction\nengine used solely for traction purposes; or\n(e) being, or forming part of, a compressor freezing cabinet or an\nelectric drink mixer used in a retail shop; or\n(f) being, or forming part of, an accounting machine or other office\nappliance; or\n(g) used only in or about a dwelling house for domestic purposes,\nother than a circular saw.\n6 Exemption from application of regulation\n(1) The Minister may, in writing, exempt from the application of any\nprovision of this regulation any machinery or class of machinery\nstated in the exemption if the Minister is satisfied that the provision\ncannot reasonably be applied to that machinery or class of machinery.\n(2) An exemption may be absolute or subject to the conditions stated in\nthe exemption.\n(3) An instrument under this section is a notifiable instrument.\n\nPart 2 Inspections\nSection 7\npage 4 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Inspections\n7 Authority as inspector\nThe Minister shall give each inspector a certificate of appointment,\nand, on applying for admission to any premises or while on any\npremises in the course of the inspector’s duty, an inspector must, if\nrequired, produce the certificate to the occupier.\n8 Power of entry\n(1) An inspector may enter any premises and may inspect and examine\nthe machinery on the premises and the appliances connected with it\nor belonging to it.\n(2) The entry may be made at any time in the daytime, whether the\nmachinery is in operation or not, or at night if the machinery is then\nin operation.\n9 Inspector may call in aid\n(1) In making the inspection the inspector may require a person\nemployed or working on the premises to assist the inspector, and may\nrequire the occupier to explain the working of the machinery and to\nanswer questions about compliance with this regulation.\n(2) A person must comply with a requirement under subsection (1).\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n10 Occupier to allow entry and inspection\nThe occupier of premises must give an inspector all reasonable\nfacilities for the exercise of the inspector’s powers under this\nregulation.\n\nSafety provisions Part 3\nSection 12\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Safety provisions\n12 Notice of ownership of machinery\nA person who—\n(a) is, at the date of the commencement of this regulation, the\noccupier of premises where machinery is erected, kept or\nintended to be used; or\n(b) becomes the occupier of such premises after that date;\nmust, within 1 month after the date of commencement of this\nregulation or the date when the person becomes the occupier of the\npremises send to the chief inspector a written notice stating the name\nof the owner, the maker’s name and the identification marks (if any)\nof the machinery, the place where the machinery is erected, kept or\nintended to be used, the kind of machinery, the nature and measure of\nthe motive power and the business or other purpose for which the\nmachinery is used or intended to be used.\nMaximum penalty: 1 penalty unit.\n13 Dangerous machinery\n(1) The occupier of premises must securely fence all dangerous parts of\nmachinery that is in or on the premises.\n(2) Without limiting subsection (1)—\n(a) a hoist or teagle and flywheel directly connected with the steam\nor water or other mechanical power, whether in the engine house\nor not, and every part of a steam engine or other engine used for\ngenerating mechanical power and every waterwheel must be\nsecurely fenced; and\n(b) a wheel race, not otherwise secured, must be securely fenced\nclose to its edge; and\n\nPart 3 Safety provisions\nSection 14\npage 6 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(c) every part of the mill-gearing and every cogwheel must either\nbe securely fenced or be in such position or of such construction\nas to be equally safe to every person employed in the premises\nas it would be if it were securely fenced.\n(3) All fencing must be maintained in an efficient state.\n(4) The duty imposed on the occupier of premises by this section is an\nabsolute duty, in no way qualified by any other provision of this\nregulation or another regulation made under the Act.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n14 Traversing carriage of self-acting machinery\nA person must not cause or permit a traversing carriage of any self-\nacting machinery to run out within a distance of 450mm from any\nfixed structure, other than part of that machinery, if the space over\nwhich it so runs out is a space over which a person is likely to pass,\nwhether in the course of the person’s employment or not.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\n15 Risk of accident\n(1) For the better prevention of accidents this section must be observed.\n(2) In premises where mechanical power is used the occupier must, when\nrequired by an inspector, provide a loose pulley or pulleys to any\nmachine or shafting driven by that power but an inspector must not\nrequire a loose pulley or pulleys to be provided—\n(a) for the starting of an engine, if it is equipped with self-starting\napparatus, or is directly coupled or is so constructed as to be, in\nthe opinion of the inspector, reasonably safe for the purpose of\nstarting; or\n(b) if the load is connected with the driving pulley by a clutch.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n\nSafety provisions Part 3\nSection 15\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(3) In premises where mechanical power is used, the occupier, when\ndirected by an inspector, must provide a belt shifter, or other safe\nmechanical contrivance approved by the inspector, for the purpose of\nthrowing belts or pulleys on or off.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(4) An occupier of premises, when directed by an inspector, must\nprovide, for the service of any shafting that is moved by mechanical\npower and situated more than 2.40m above the floor level—\n(a) stagings, platforms or gangways of the design and construction,\nand in the position, approved by the inspector;\n(b) ladders of the design and construction approved by the\ninspector; and\n(c) belt hangers for the purpose of holding belts not in use clear of\ncontact with any running machinery or mill-gearing.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(5) A person throwing off a belt from a machine or mill-gearing must, if\na belt hanger is provided, put the belt on the belt hanger.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(6) An occupier of premises or a person in control of a person under\n16 years old must not, when any mill gearing is in motion by\nmechanical power, permit the secondmentioned person to—\n(a) oil or grease any part of the mill-gearing; or\n(b) put on, put off, adjust, tighten or lace any belt or belting of the\nmill-gearing, or attempt to do so; or\n(c) go on or remain on any overhead staging erected for the purpose\nof serving the mill-gearing.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n\nPart 3 Safety provisions\nSection 15\npage 8 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(7) An occupier of premises where a person under 18 years old\n(the employee) is employed, or a person in control of an employee,\nmust not permit the employee to—\n(a) be in charge of an engine; or\n(b) attend to an engine, unless the attention is given under the direct\nsupervision of a competent person.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(8) In a brewery or aerated water factory the occupier must—\n(a) provide all bottlers, corkers, wirers, sighters and labellers with\nthe masks or veils, or faceguards, and the gauntlets, or\nhandguards or armguards, approved by an inspector; and\n(b) cause all machines for bottling to be constructed and placed or\nfenced to prevent as far as possible, during the operation of\nfilling or corking, a fragment of bursting bottle from striking any\nperson.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(9) A person must, when carrying out bottling or any other operation in\nthe course of which explosions or breakages are likely to happen,\ncontinually wear the faceguard or handguards or armguards provided\nfor the person.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(10) An occupier of premises where machinery is operated by mechanical\npower, in which a person (the employee) is employed, or a person in\ncharge of an employee, must not permit the employee to be employed\nat or near the machinery, or in a room where the employee may pass\nthe machinery, while the employee is wearing flowing hair, or neck\nribbons or laces or other similar loose articles of dress.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n\nSafety provisions Part 3\nSection 15\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(11) The occupier of premises where an emery wheel is used—\n(a) must cause it to be fenced or guarded as required by an\ninspector;\n(b) must not permit the emery wheel to be run at a higher speed than\nthat indicated on it by the maker as the limit of safety; and\n(c) must not permit the emery wheel to be run before a door or other\nentrance.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(12) An occupier of premises must cause all steam pipes, or pipes used for\nheating purposes, to be insulated or guarded, or fixed in such a\nposition that a person would not come in contact with them in the\nordinary course.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(13) An occupier of premises where are carried on operations involving\nthe conveyance, carrying or handling of molten metal, or of any hot\nor dangerous substance must provide properly constructed and\ndesigned pots or ladles for the purpose.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(14) The occupier of premises where a boiler, vat or similar appliance\ndesigned to revolve or tilt is used must cause it to be fitted with\nmechanical catches or some other safe appliance to regulate its\nposition.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n\nPart 3 Safety provisions\nSection 15\npage 10 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(15) The occupier of premises where is used a machine worked by manual\nor treadle power that is of such design and construction that its motion\nis materially assisted by the kinetic energy or momentum\naccumulated in its moving parts must, if an inspector directs, cause\nany cogwheel, flywheel, or other moving part of the machine to be\nfenced or guarded.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(16) The occupier of premises where mechanical power is used must, if\ndirected by an inspector, cause all set screws, pins, keys, coupling\nbolts and ends of spindles, if moved by that power, to be fenced or\nguarded, or countersunk, or cut off flush with the adjoining parts of\nthe machinery or mill-gearing, or protected in the way the inspector\napproves.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(17) The occupier of any premises where a fan moved by mechanical\npower is used must, if directed by an inspector, cause the fan to be\nprotected with woven wire, or fenced, or guarded in the way the\ninspector approves.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(18) The occupier of premises where machinery is moved by mechanical\npower must, if required by an inspector, maintain all main traffic\nways at a width of not less than 1.20m and must keep all main traffic\nways clear of materials, stock, or other obstructions.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(19) The occupier of premises must maintain all passageways between\nmachines or giving access to machines at a width of not less than\n600mm.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n\nSafety provisions Part 3\nSection 16\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(20) The occupier of premises must not—\n(a) employ a person under 15 years old in working or assisting to\nwork any machinery; or\n(b) employ a person under 18 years old, in cleaning any part of any\nmachinery in motion.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n16 Circular saws\n(1) The occupier of premises where a circular saw is used must comply\nwith this section or cause those requirements to be complied with.\n(2) The saw, sawbench and equipment, saw mountings and other\ncomponents of the saw installation must be designed, put together and\nset up to be suitable, safe and adequately strong for the purpose for\nwhich the saw is used or intended to be used.\n(3) If the saw is part of a stationary installation, it must be erected on, and\nsecurely fixed to, adequate foundations and must be so placed that\nample clear space for safe working is provided all round.\n(4) The floor or other surface around the saw installation—\n(a) must be sound, level and even; and\n(b) must provide a firm foothold; and\n(c) must not be allowed to become slippery; and\n(d) must be kept free of stock or other impediments, and, as far as\npracticable, of accumulations of sawdust and trade waste.\n(5) The maximum safe working speed in revolutions per minute and the\nname of the maker of the saw must be clearly and legibly impressed\non it in a conspicuous position.\n\nPart 3 Safety provisions\nSection 16\npage 12 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(6) The power provided for driving the saw must be sufficient to ensure\nan efficient cutting speed for all purposes for which it is used, and a\ngovernor or other means of speed control must be provided to prevent\nits being driven at a speed in excess of its maximum safe working\nspeed.\n(7) The saw must be in good condition, the teeth sharp and correctly set\nand the gullets rounded.\n(8) The work of sharpening, setting and conditioning the saw must be\ndone in a competent way.\n(9) The saw must not be used it if is cracked, fractured, warped, has teeth\nmissing or is otherwise defective or in bad condition.\n(10) The saw must not be used unless it is maintained in good working\norder and condition.\n(11) The saw must be securely and truly mounted and adjusted so that it\noperates without undue vibration.\n(12) The saw must be provided with an efficient stopping and starting\nappliance of a type that will prevent inadvertent starting, and the\ncontrol of the appliance must be in a position to enable it to be readily\nand conveniently operated by the person using the saw.\n(13) The saw must not be allowed to run idly between jobs, when\nunattended, or when the work in hand is delayed or interrupted.\n(14) The saw must be mounted, or adjusted, only while it is stopped and\nsecured against inadvertent starting.\n(15) As far as practicable, equipment attached to the sawbench must not\nbe adjusted or serviced when the saw is in motion.\n(16) Sawdust and trade waste must not be removed from potentially\ndangerous positions under and around the saw installation when the\nsaw is in motion.\n(17) Adequate and suitable lighting free from harmful or confusing glare\nmust be provided at the saw.\n\nSafety provisions Part 3\nSection 17\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(18) If an inspector is of opinion that the saw is so defective or in such\ncondition that its further use as a circular saw would be dangerous\nand the inspector gives notice to that effect to the occupier, the saw\nmust immediately be rendered incapable of further use as a circular\nsaw.\n(19) A copy of this section in good condition must be exhibited in a\nconspicuous position in the premises so that it may be read by\neveryone employed at or in connection with the saw and copies must\nalso be exhibited in other places an inspector directs.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\n17 Faulty or defective machinery\n(1) If machinery is, in the opinion of an inspector, so faulty or defective,\nor so insufficiently guarded, or so dangerous in any other way, as to\nbe likely to cause loss of life or injury to any person, or if the\nventilation of a room where a steam engine or internal-combustion\nengine is erected and used is, in the opinion of an inspector, defective,\nthe inspector may serve written notice to that effect on the occupier\nof premises where the machinery or engine is erected, kept or used.\nNote For how documents may be served, see the Legislation Act, pt 19.5.\n(2) The notice may require the occupier to make, within a time stated in\nthe notice, the repairs or alterations to the machinery or its\narrangement, or to the ventilation of the room stated in the notice.\n(3) A person must not refuse or fail to comply with a notice given to the\nperson under this section.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(4) A person must not use, or cause to be used, any machinery or engine\nthe subject of the notice from a date stated in the notice until the\nrepairs or alterations have been effected to the satisfaction of an\ninspector.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n\nPart 3 Safety provisions\nSection 18\npage 14 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n18 Appeal\n(1) An occupier who is dissatisfied with the requirements of a notice\ngiven under section 16 or section 17 may, within 21 days after the\nnotice has been given to the occupier, appeal to the Magistrates Court.\n(2) On the hearing of the appeal the Magistrates Court may, by order,\nconfirm, set aside or vary the notice and may make any other order it\nconsiders just.\n(3) Until the appeal is decided by the Magistrates Court, the relevant\ncircular saw, machinery or engine must not be used unless the\nrequirements of the notice have been complied with.\n19 Notice of accident, loss of life or injury\n(1) If a person is killed or suffers injury by an accident caused by, or\ninvolving, machinery, the occupier of the premises must, within 24\nhours after the accident, send notice of it to the chief inspector, stating\nthe nature of the accident, the place where it happened, the name of\nevery person killed or injured and the possible extent of the damage\nto the machinery.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\nNote For how documents may be served, see the Legislation Act, pt 19.5.\n(2) In this section:\ninjury means an injury that is likely to incapacitate the person injured\nfor more than 48 hours.\n\nSafety provisions Part 3\nSection 20\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n20 Notice in other cases\nIf an accident happens to machinery and the accident necessitates\nstructural alteration or structural repairs, the occupier of the premises\nmust, within 24 hours after the accident, send notice of the accident\nto the chief inspector giving particulars of the accident, its cause and\nthe probable alterations or repairs necessitated.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\nNote For how documents may be served, see the Legislation Act, pt 19.5.\n21 Reporting machinery likely to cause injury\nA person who is required to perform a duty at or about any machinery\nmust use ordinary and reasonable precautions to ascertain that the\nmachinery is not unsafe, and if the person finds anything likely to\ncause injury to any person, the person must forthwith report it to the\nmanager, engineer, or other person in immediate authority over him\nor her.\n22 Removing safety devices\nA person must not render inoperative any safety device attached to or\nused for governing the speed of any engine or any safety device used\nin connection with any machinery.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n\nPart 4 Noise\nSection 22A\npage 16 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 4 Noise\n22A Meaning of ear protection device\nIn this part:\near protection device means a device that complies with the\nrequirements of Australian Standard Specification for Hearing\nProtection Devices, Australian Standard 1270.\n22B Hearing conservation\n(1) An occupier of premises must not require a person to perform work\nin a place where—\n(a) the daily noise dose to which the person is exposed exceeds\n0.33; or\n(b) the A weighted sound pressure level exceeds 115 decibels.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1)\nfor the defendant to prove that, at the time when the offence is alleged\nto have been committed, everyone employed by the defendant to\nwork in the part of the premises in relation to which the offence is\nalleged to have been committed—\n(a) were provided with ear protection devices; and\n(b) had been instructed in the correct use of the devices; and\n(c) had been instructed to wear the devices in that part of the\npremises.\n(3) If the wearing of an ear protection device is reasonably likely to give\nrise to a situation of danger by impairing the hearing of the wearer,\nthe defence provided for by subsection (2) is not available to the\noccupier of the premises unless the occupier has taken reasonable\nprecautions to prevent injury to any person because of the creation of\nsuch a situation of danger.\n\nNoise Part 4\nSection 22C\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) For subsection (1), daily noise dose must be calculated—\n(a) in accordance with the procedure set out in Australian Standard\n1269-1983, section 3; and\n(b) using an instrument mentioned in Australian Standard\n2399-1980 as a personal noise dosimeter that complies with the\nrequirements of that standard.\n(5) For subsection (1), the A weighted sound pressure level must be\ncalculated—\n(a) in accordance with the procedure set out in Australian Standard\n1269-1983, section 2, clause 2.6; and\n(b) using an instrument mentioned in Australian Standard\n1259-1982 as a Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3 sound level meter that\ncomplies with the requirements of that standard.\n(6) In this section, a reference to an Australian Standard is a reference\nto the standard as in force at the time the subsection in which the\nreference appears takes effect.\n(7) In this section:\nA weighted sound pressure level means sound pressure level\nweighted in accordance with frequency weighting A.\ndaily noise dose—see Australian Standard 1269-1983.\nfrequency weighting A—see Australian Standard 1259-1982.\n22C Duty to wear ear protection devices\nA person who is working on premises and who has been provided by\nthe occupier of the premises with ear protection devices must, at all\ntimes while machinery on the premises is in use, comply with\ninstructions given to the person by the occupier in connection with\nthe wearing of the devices.\nMaximum penalty: 2 penalty units.\n\nPart 4 Noise\nSection 22D\npage 18 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n22D Defence\nIt is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against section 22C if,\nat the time the offence is alleged to have been committed, a doctor\nhad certified in writing that in the doctor’s opinion it was undesirable,\non medical grounds or because of physical characteristics, for the\ndefendant to wear the ear protection devices provided for the\ndefendant and the certificate had not been revoked.\n\nMiscellaneous Part 5\nSection 23\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 5 Miscellaneous\n23 Liability apart from regulation not affected\nThis regulation does not operate to relieve a person from any civil or\ncriminal liability to which the person would be subject if this\nregulation had not been made.\n\nDictionary\npage 20 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 2)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis regulation.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:\n• Minister (see s 162)\n• notifiable instrument (see s 10)\n• person (see s 160).\nNote 3 Terms used in this regulation have the same meaning that they have in\nthe Machinery Act 1949 (see Legislation Act, s 148). For example, the\nfollowing terms are defined in the Machinery Act 1949, dict:\n• chief inspector\n• inspector.\near protection device, for part 4 (Noise)—see section 22A.\nengine means a piece of mechanism used to convert heat or some\nother form of energy into mechanical work, or a machine for the\ndevelopment or utilisation of power from some source of energy such\nas coal, gas, oil, compressed air, electricity or other source.\nmachinery means an engine, motor or other source of motive power\nother than manual, treadle, wind or animal power, and includes a\nmachine, shaft, belt, gearing, pulley, flywheel, contrivance or\nappliance operated by any such engine, motor, or other source of\nmotive power, but does not include machinery that is subject to\ninspection under—\n(a) regulations made under the Act and relating to boilers or\nengine-drivers; or\n(b) other than for the Scaffolding and Lifts Act 1912, part 4\n(Inspection) or the Scaffolding and Lifts Regulation 1950.\nmechanical power means power other than manual or treadle power\nand includes power generated by water, steam, gas, oil or electricity.\n\nDictionary\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nmill-gearing includes a shaft (whether upright, oblique or horizontal)\nand a wheel, drum, pulley, belt, rope or chain by which the motion of\nthe first moving power is communicated to the operative part of a\nmachine.\noccupier, in relation to premises, means the person in possession or\noccupation, or apparently in possession or occupation, of the\npremises, and includes an agent, manager, supervisor, or other person\nacting or apparently acting, in the general management or control of\nthe premises and a person who has the general management of\nmachinery in those premises.\npremises means—\n(a) a house, building, structure, yard, mine, timber area, farm,\npaddock, field, road or place; or\n(b) a punt, raft, boat, ship or vessel, not propelled by its own motive\npower or machinery;\nwhere machinery is kept, worked, used or is in operation, whether the\nmachinery is in the premises on a permanent or temporary basis.\n\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\npage 22 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThis regulation was originally called the Inspection of Machinery Regulations and\nwas originally made under a Commonwealth ordinance—the Machinery\nOrdinance 1949 No 11 (Cwlth).\nThe Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth), s 34 (4)\nconverted most former Commonwealth ordinances in force in the ACT, and the\nregulations made under them, into ACT enactments. This allowed the ACT\nLegislative Assembly to amend and repeal the laws. The Machinery\nOrdinance 1949 and the Inspection of Machinery Regulations were converted into\nACT enactments on 11 May 1989 (self-government day).\nAs with most ordinances in force in the ACT, the name was changed from\nOrdinance to Act by the Self-Government (Citation of Laws) Act 1989 A1989-21,\ns 5 on 11 May 1989 (self-government day).\nThis regulation was renamed by the Statutory Offices (Miscellaneous Provisions)\nAct 1994, sch and under the Legislation Act 2001.\nBefore 12 September 2001, regulations commenced on their notification day unless\notherwise stated (see Interpretation Act 1967 s 50, Subordinate Laws Act 1989 s 6).\nLegislation before becoming Territory enactment\nMachinery Regulation 1950 SL1950-7\nnotified 30 November 1950\ncommenced 15 January 1951 (s 2 and Cwlth Gaz 1950 p 3256)\nas amended by\nInspection of Machinery Regulations SL1969-1\nnotified 8 May 1969\ncommenced 8 May 1969\nAmendments of the Inspection of Machinery Regulations SL1974-23\nnotified 22 October 1974\ncommenced 22 October 1974\nAmendments of the Inspection of Machinery Regulations SL1975-21\nnotified 30 September 1975\ncommenced 1 December 1975\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 24 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRegulations to repeal certain Regulations and to revise certain\nRegulations in force under the Ordinances of the Australian Capital\nTerritory SL1980-3 (as am by SL1980-14)\nnotified 25 March 1980\ncommenced 25 March 1980\nRegulations to amend Regulations 1980 No 3 SL1980-14\nnotified 9 October 1980\ncommenced 25 March 1980\nNote This regulation (SL1980-14) only amends SL1980-3.\nMagistrates Court Ordinance 1985 Ord1985-67 sch pt 2\nnotified 19 December 1985\ncommenced 1 February 1986 (s 2 and Cwlth Gaz 1986 No G3)\nInspection of Machinery Regulations (Amendment) SL1986-5\nnotified 12 June 1986\ncommenced 12 June 1986\nInspection of Machinery Regulations (Amendment) SL1986-8\nnotified 31 July 1986\ncommenced 31 July 1986\nLegislation after becoming Territory enactment\nStatutory Offices (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994 A1994-97 sch\npt 2\nnotified 15 December 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S280)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2 (1))\nsch pt 2 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994\nNo S293)\nRegulations Revision (Penalties) Regulations SL1996-8\nnotified 6 June 1996 (Gaz 1996 No S108)\ncommenced 6 June 1996 (s 2)\nCriminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences)\nAmendment Act 2004 A2004-15 sch 2 pt 2.54\nnotified LR 26 March 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.54 commenced 9 April 2004 (s 2 (1))\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2007 A2007-3 sch 3 pt 3.65\nnotified LR 22 March 2007\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2006 (LA s 75 (2))\nsch 3 pt 3.65 commenced 12 April 2007 (s 2 (1))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 3 pt 3.59, sch 4\npt 4.121\nnotified LR 6 November 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.59, sch 4 pt 4.121 commenced 26 November 2025 (s 2 (3),\n(9))\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 26 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nName of regulation\ns 1 sub A1994-97 sch pt 2\nam R4 LA; R6 LA\nDictionary\ns 2 om A2001-44 amdt 1.2743\nins A2007-3 amdt 3.362\nNotes\ns 3 om SL1975-21\nins A2007-3 amdt 3.362\nDefinitions for regulation\ns 4 am SL1975-21; SL1986-5\ndefs reloc to dict A2007-3 amdt 3.361\nom A2007-3 amdt 3.362\ndef chief inspector sub A1994-97 sch pt 2\nom A2007-3 amdt 3.360\ndef inspector sub A1994-97 sch pt 2\nom A2007-3 amdt 3.360\ndef the Act om A2001-44 amdt 1.2744\nMachinery to which regulation does not apply\ns 5 hdg sub A2025-29 amdt 3.199\ns 5 am A2025-29 amdt 3.200\nExemption from application of regulation\ns 6 am A2001-44 amdts 1.2745–1.2747; A2025-29 amdt 4.122\nAuthority as inspector\ns 7 am SL1980-3; SL1996-8 sch; A2004-15 amdt 2.117,\namdt 2.118\nInspector may call in aid\ns 9 am SL1996-8 sch\nObstructing inspector\ns 11 am SL1996-8 sch\nom A2004-15 amdt 2.118\nNotice of ownership of machinery\ns 12 am SL1996-8 sch\nDangerous machinery\ns 13 am SL1980-3; SL1996-8 sch\nTraversing carriage of self-acting machinery\ns 14 am SL1974-23; SL1996-8 sch\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 27\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRisk of accident\ns 15 am SL1974-23; SL1980-3 (as am by SL1980-14); SL1986-8;\nSL1996-8 sch\nCircular saws\ns 16 am SL1980-3; SL1996-8 sch\nFaulty or defective machinery\ns 17 am SL1980-3; SL1996-8 sch; A2007-3 amdt 3.363\nAppeal\ns 18 sub SL1975-21\nam Ord1985-67\nNotice of accident, loss of life or injury\ns 19 am 1980 No. 3 (as am by SL1980-14); SL1996-8 sch; A2007-3\namdt 3.363\nNotice in other cases\ns 20 am SL1980-3; SL1996-8 sch; A2007-3 amdt 3.363\nRemoving safety devices\ns 22 am 1980 No. 3; SL1996-8 sch\nNoise\npt 3A hdg renum as pt 4 hdg\nNoise\npt 4 hdg orig pt 4 hdg\nrenum as pt 5 hdg\npres pt 4 hdg\n(prev pt 3A hdg) ins SL1975-21\nrenum as pt 4 hdg A2007-3 amdt 3.364\nMeaning of ear protection device\ns 22A ins SL1975-21\nHearing conservation\ns 22B ins SL1975-21\nam SL1980-3 (as am by SL1980-14); SL1986-5; SL1996-8 sch\nDuty to wear ear protection devices\ns 22C ins SL1975-21\nam SL1996-8 sch\nDefence\ns 22D ins SL1975-21\nMiscellaneous\npt 5 hdg (prev pt 4 hdg) renum as pt 5 hdg A2007-3 amdt 3.364\nLiability apart from regulation not affected\ns 23 am SL1969-1\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 28 Machinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\nR8\n26/11/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nService of notices etc\ns 24 om A2007-3 amdt 3.365\nOffences\ns 25 am SL1980-3\nom SL1996-8 sch\nDictionary\ndict ins A2007-3 amdt 3.366\nam A2025-29 amdt 3.201\ndef ear protection device ins A2007-3 amdt 3.366\ndef engine reloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.361\ndef machinery reloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.361\ndef mechanical power reloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.361\ndef mill-gearing reloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.361\ndef occupier reloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.361\ndef premises reloc from s 4 A2007-3 amdt 3.361\n\nEndnotes\nEarlier republications 5\nR8\n26/11/25\nMachinery Regulation 1950\nEffective: 26/11/25\npage 29\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 SL1986-8 31 October 1991\n2 SL1986-8 28 February 1995\n3 SL1996-8 30 November 1996\n4 A2001-44 30 August 2002\n5 A2004-15 9 April 2004\n6 A2004-15 1 November 2004\n7 A2007-3 12 April 2007\n© Australian Capital Territory 2025","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulation has grown significantly beyond its original 1950 scope. Originally focused on basic machinery guarding and steam engine safety (as suggested by terms like 'teagle', 'loose pulleys', and 'belt shifters'), it was expanded in 1975 to include Part 4 on noise protection and hearing conservation—adding modern occupational health and safety requirements about decibel levels, daily noise dose calculations, and Australian Standard-compliant ear protection. The 2025 amendments further modernised the exemption provisions. The regulation now straddles two eras: traditional mechanical guarding (1950s industrial revolution safety) and modern occupational noise management (1970s-80s OHS)."},"complexity_factors":["Length: Approximately 23 sections plus a dictionary, spanning 29 pages in the republication—moderate length for a safety regulation.","Defined terms: 8 key terms defined in the dictionary (ear protection device, engine, machinery, mechanical power, mill-gearing, occupier, premises) plus references to parent Act definitions (chief inspector, inspector).","Cross-references: References to Australian Standards (AS 1269, AS 1270, AS 1259, AS 2399) for noise measurement and hearing protection; references to the Machinery Act 1949 for definitions; reference to Scaffolding and Lifts Act 1912.","Conditional logic: Several sections contain conditional defences (e.g., section 22B(2) provides a defence to noise exposure if ear protection is provided and used; section 22D provides a medical defence to wearing ear protection).","Nested requirements: Section 15 contains 20 subsections covering various specific safety scenarios (loose pulleys, belt shifters, age restrictions, clothing restrictions, etc.).","Exceptions: Section 5 lists 7 categories of excluded machinery (trains, boats, cars, domestic appliances, etc.); section 6 allows Ministerial exemptions.","Historical layering: The legislation history shows amendments from 1950 through 2025, with some anachronistic terminology (e.g., 'teagle', 'loose pulley') mixed with modern noise protection standards."],"plain_english_summary":"This ACT regulation sets minimum safety rules for workplaces using engines, motors or mechanical power—factories, workshops and similar premises—to prevent injuries from moving parts, noise and unsafe practices. It empowers inspectors to enter sites, require repairs or stop dangerous machines, and requires fencing, noise protection, age limits for young workers, and prompt reporting of serious accidents.\n\nIt affects occupiers (business owners/managers), workers who operate or maintain machinery, and government inspectors; it preserves basic industrial safety protections, some of which are dated but still operative."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulation has evolved from an original inspection-focused instrument to include modern technical requirements and broader occupational rules. Later amendments added noise and ear‑protection provisions referencing Australian Standards (pt 4, ss22A–22D), a written ministerial exemption power (s6), updated inspector and notice procedures (ss7–10, s17) and clarified definitions in the Dictionary. These changes broadened technical compliance obligations and retained substantial inspector discretion."},"complexity_factors":["Prescriptive technical duties across many scenarios (guarding, stagings, belt shifters, lighting) (see s13, s15, s16)","Inspector enforcement powers including entry, inspection, notices and directions (ss7–10, s17)","Penalty structure with absolute duties and varied maxima (s13, multiple provisions)","Ministerial exemption power creating tailored carve-outs (s6)","Noise regulation relying on external Australian Standards and instrument specs (ss22A–22B)","Appeal route to Magistrates Court but interim operation restrictions on equipment (s18)","Numerous definitions and cross-references to the Machinery Act and Legislation Act (s2, Dictionary)","Specific age and supervision restrictions that affect hiring and rostering (s15(7), s15(20))"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets safety rules for powered machinery in the ACT: occupiers must fence, guard and maintain dangerous parts, follow specific requirements for circular saws, report accidents, limit youth employment near machines, and meet noise limits with ear protection. Inspectors may enter premises, require repairs and serve notices, and occupiers face penalties for breaches.\n\nIt matters because occupiers bear upgrade, training and monitoring costs; inspectors and the Minister (s6) have discretion to order fixes or grant exemptions, and technical noise rules reference Australian Standards (ss22A–22B)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/machinery-regulation-1950","history":"/api/acts/machinery-regulation-1950/history","analysis":"/api/acts/machinery-regulation-1950/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/machinery-regulation-1950/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/machinery-regulation-1950/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/machinery-regulation-1950/documents"}}