Inspection and maintenance

Inspection and maintenance

Regular planned inspection and adequate maintenance must be carried out in accordance
with the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure safe operation of mobile plant used
on excavation work, whether leased, hired or owned. Both mechanical and electrical testing should be done. The following checks should also be carried out:

• daily pre-start checks by the plant operator on the general condition and maintenance
  of the plant, and
• regular inspections of the plant by a competent person in accordance with the manufacturer/supplier’s specifications or relevant Australian Standards.

Any plant defects should be reported immediately to the person conducting business
or undertaking. Where a defect is likely to pose an immediate risk to health and safety
the plant should be removed from service until the defect is rectified.

Owners of plant should keep logbooks and inspection check sheets containing a full service and repair history. These records should include any reported defects, kept current and retained for the life of the plant. If the plant is sold, the records should form part of the documentation forwarded to the purchaser of the plant upon its sale.