Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form

1. Hazard Management Details – General

Plant/Equipment Item: Hedge Trimmer (Fuel) Make/Model No.: Serial No.:

School / Work Location: Region:

Name of Person(s) Conducting Activity: Date Conducted:

Description of Use: Summary of Key Risks:

(refer to appropriate subsections)
A hedge trimmer is a cutting tool
used for trimming hedges. Two  Entanglement
blades move over the top of one
 Impact and cutting injuries
another causing the shearing action
required for cutting.  Shearing
 Ergonomics
 Vibration
 Slips, Trips or Falls
 Other (dust and fumes)

Last Updated: 22 August 2018

 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form

2. Documentation
Relevant Legislation/Standards Y/N Comments
Is plant required to be registered? Y N
Is a user license required? Y N
Key Reference material AS/NZS 3160 Approval and test specification – Hand-held electrical power tools
AS/NZS 60745.1 Hand-held motor-operated electric tools – Safety – General requirements
AS 4024.1 Safety of machinery
AS/NZS 3760 In service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
AS/NZS 60745.2 Hand-held motor-operated electric tools – Safety – Particular requirements
for hedge trimmers
Plant Documentation Y/N Comments
Are operator’s manuals accessible? Y N
Is this a restricted use item? Y N
Does this item require safe use Y N
documents/test?

3. Hazard Identification
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
Cons Like Risk
Level
ENTANGLEMENT Moderate Possible Medium Loose clothing, gloves, Ensure that clothing, gloves,
Can anyone’s hair, clothing, gloves, cleaning rags or other materials rags or other such items are
brushes, tools, rags or other materials could become entangled kept clear of the moving parts
become entangled with moving parts of the the moving blades. when in use.
plant or materials?  Overalls can be used to
Y N restrict loose clothing.
 Ensure gloves are well
fitted.
 Secure all rags, ropes
and/or other hanging items.

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
Cons Like Risk
Level
IMPACT AND CUTTING INJURIES Injuries could be Ensure the operator’s hands
Can anyone be crushed/cut/struck etc. due sustained as a result of and body parts are kept clear of
to: the trimmer blades being moving parts during operation
 Material falling off the plant? Y N poorly maintained/ and maintenance.
damaged or incorrectly
 Uncontrolled/unexpected movement of installed onto drive.
Y N Ensure that the operator has
plant/load? been trained in safe work
 Lack of capacity to slow, stop or The exposed moving practices and appropriate PPE
Y N
immobilise plant? parts present a risk to an (e.g. eye protection, appropriate
 The plant tipping or rolling over? Y N operator’s hands and footwear etc.) is worn whilst
 Parts of the plant disintegrating or body parts. operating equipment.
Y N
collapsing?
 Contact with moving parts during testing, Major Possible High Risk of eye injury from Ensure the equipment is
inspection, operation, maintenance, Y N flying objects arising appropriately installed and
cleaning or repair? from the cutting action of serviced as per the
the hedge trimmer (e.g. manufacturer’s instructions.
 Being thrown off or under the plant? Y N twigs, leaves etc.).
 Contact with sharp or flying objects? Moderate Possible Medium
Y N
(e.g. work pieces being ejected)
 The mobility of the plant? Y N
 Inappropriate parts and accessories
Y N
being used?
 Other Y N

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
Cons Like Risk
Level
SHEARING Major Possible High The exposed moving Ensure that operator has been
Can anyone’s body parts be sheared blades on the hedge trained in safe work practices
between two parts of plant, or between a trimmer present a risk to and has appropriate PPE.
part of the plant and a work piece or the operator’s hands and
structure? Y N fingers. Ensure that the operator does
not place hands and fingers in
close proximity to the moving
blades.
PRESSURISED CONTENT
Can anyone come into contact with fluids or
Y N
gases under high pressure, due to plant
failure or misuse of the plant?
ELECTRICITY
Can anyone be injured or burnt due to:
 Live electrical conductors? (e.g. exposed
Y N
wires)
 Working in close proximity to electrical
Y N
conductors?
 Access to electricity?
Y N
 Damaged or poorly maintained electrical
Y N
leads, cables or switches?
 Water near electrical equipment?
Y N
 Lack of isolation procedures?
Y N
 Other
Y N

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
Cons Like Risk
Level
ERGONOMICS The use of the equipment Ensure regular breaks are taken
Can anyone be injured due to: may involve repetitive if the task entails long duration
 Poorly designed workstation? body movements and time.
Y N awkward positions.
 Repetitive body movement? Minor Unlikely Low Ensure appropriate manual
Y N handling techniques are applied
 Constrained body posture or the need Minor Unlikely Low whilst operating equipment.
Y N
for excessive effort?
 Design deficiency causing psychological
Y N
stress?
 Inadequate or poorly placed lighting?
Y N
 Does the plant impact on the Minor Unlikely Low
surrounding workplace and create
potential hazards? (Consider potential Y N
impact on the design and layout of the
workplace)
 Is the location of the plant inappropriate?
(Consider potential effects due to Y N
environmental conditions and terrain)
 Other
Y N

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
Cons Like Risk
Level
RADIATION
Can anyone using the plant, or in the vicinity
of the plant suffer injury or illness due to
exposure to radiation in the form of any of
the following: Y N
 infra-red radiation
 ultra violet light
 microwaves
NOISE Minor Unlikely Low Operation of the hedge Ensure appropriate PPE is worn
Can anyone using the plant, or in the vicinity trimmer could result in (e.g. hearing protection)
Y N
of the plant, suffer injury due to exposure to high noise levels.
noise?
VIBRATION Moderate Unlikely Medium The vibration from hedge Use a hedge trimmer with anti-
Can anyone be injured or suffer ill-health trimmers can cause vibration mountings.
from exposure to vibration? damage to the hands if
they are used for long Take regular breaks from
periods at a time. continuous operation.

Y N Wear appropriate PPE (e.g.

gloves) especially in cold
weather.

Maintain the hedge trimmer

regularly to ensure smoother
cutting and less vibration.
FRICTION
Can anyone be burnt due to contact with
Y N
moving parts, materials or surfaces of the
plant?
SUFFOCATION
Can anyone be suffocated due to lack of Y N
oxygen, or atmospheric contamination?

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
CONDITION
Is a hazard likely due to the age and
condition of the plant? (Consider how hard Y N
the machine has been worked, and whether
it is used constantly or rarely).
 Can anyone be injured as a result of the
plant not serviced appropriately and/or
Y N
maintained in line with manufacturer’s
recommendations?

Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures

Cons Like Risk
Level
SLIPS/TRIPS/FALLS There may be a slip, trip Operator to inspect work
Can anyone using the plant, or in the vicinity or fall risk to the operator environment for hazards prior to
of the plant, slip, trip or fall due to: due to equipment being commencing work.
 Uneven, slippery or steep work Minor Possible Medium used outdoors and in a
Y N
surfaces? diverse range of Ensure the hedge trimmer
 Poor housekeeping, e.g. spillage in the Minor Possible Medium environments. blades come to a complete stop
Y N
vicinity? before moving or placing the
 Obstacles being placed in the vicinity of Minor Possible Medium equipment down.
Y N
the plant?
 Inappropriate or poorly maintained floor Minor Possible Medium Ensure appropriate working at
or walking surfaces (i.e. lack of a slip- heights risk controls are in place
Y N when working from a ladder or
resistant surface, unprotected holes,
penetrations or gaps?) work platform.
If operating or maintaining plant at height
can anyone slip, trip or fall due to: Ensure appropriate footwear is
 Use of work platforms, stairs or ladders? Minor Possible Medium worn.
Y N
 Lack of guardrails or other suitable edge
Y N
protection?
 Other
Y N
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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form
Hazards Inspected Risk Assessment Description of Risk Control Measures
Cons Like Risk
Level
FIRE AND EXPLOSION Major Possible High The storage and handling Ensure fuel is appropriately
Y N
Can anyone be injured by fire? of petrol (e.g. refuelling) stored (e.g. away from ignition
 Can anyone be injured by explosion of Major Unlikely Medium may pose a risk of fire and sources in a locked storage
gases, vapours, liquids, dusts, or other explosion to the operator. area).
substances?
Y N Ensure refuelling is conducted
in a safe manner (e.g.
equipment is switched off, away
from ignition sources etc.).
TEMPERATURE/MOISTURE
Can anyone come into contact with objects Y N
at high or low temperatures?
 Can anyone suffer ill-health due to
Y N
exposure to high or low temperatures?
 Can anyone be injured or suffer ill-health
Y N
due to exposure to moisture?
OTHER The hedge trimmer Ensure the hedge trimmer is
Can anyone be injured or suffer ill-health produces exhaust fumes only operated where there is
from exposure to: which can build up over adequate ventilation.
 Chemicals? Y N Moderate Unlikely Medium time in an enclosed space.
Refuel chainsaw in well-
 Toxic gases or vapours? Y N Minor Unlikely Low
The operation of the ventilated area.
 Fumes/Dusts? Y N Minor Unlikely Low hedge trimmer may
produce wood dust.
 Other? (please specify) Y N
4. Risk Assessment Signoff
Authorised By: Signature: Date:

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 Plant and Equipment Risk Management Form

1. Consequence - Evaluate the consequences of a risk occurring according 2. Likelihood - Evaluate the likelihood of an incident occurring according to the
to the ratings in the top row ratings in the left hand column
Descriptor Level Definition
Descriptor Level Definition

Rare 1 May occur somewhere, sometime (“once in a life time /

Insignificant 1 No injury once in a hundred years”)

Minor 2 Injury/ ill health requiring first aid Unlikely 2 May occur somewhere within the Department over an
extended period of time
Moderate 3 Injury/ill health requiring medical
attention Possible 3 May occur several times across the Department or a
region over a period of time
Major 4 Injury/ill health requiring hospital
admission Likely 4 May be anticipated multiple times over a period of time
May occur once every few repetitions of the activity or
Severe 5 Fatality event

Almost 5 Prone to occur regularly

3. Risk level - Calculate the level of risk by finding the intersection between the Certain It is anticipated for each repetition of the activity of event
likelihood and the consequences

4. Risk Level/Rating and Actions

Likelihood Consequence
Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Severe Descriptor Definition
Almost Medium High Extreme Extreme Extreme
Certain
Likely Medium Medium High Extreme Extreme Extreme: Notify Workplace Manager and/or Management OHS
Possible Low Medium Medium High Extreme Nominee immediately. Corrective actions should be taken
Unlikely Low Low Medium Medium High immediately. Cease associated activity.
Rare Low Low Low Medium Medium High: Notify Workplace Manager and/or Management OHS
Nominee immediately. Corrective actions should be taken
within 48 hours of notification.
Medium: Notify Nominated employee, HSR / OHS Committee.
Nominated employee, OHS Representative / OHS Committee
is to follow up that corrective action is taken within 7 days.
Low Notify Nominated employee, HSR / OHS Committee.
Nominated employee, HSR / OHS Committee is to follow up
that corrective action is taken within a reasonable time.

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