Plant that has a higher level of risk or harm associated with its operation, use or maintenance must be registered with WorkCover by the owner, lessee or controller of the plant.
There are two types of plant registration:
1. item registration this is the registration of plant. WorkCover mail out renewal packages to owners of previously registered plant.
2. design registration this is a one off process that covers the design of the plant and all subsequent items manufactured to that design.
All plant identified as affecting public safety, such as lifts, boilers, pressure vessels and amusement devices must be registered whether or not the plant is at a place of work or for use at work.
New work health and safety laws
New work health and safety laws commence 1 January 2012.
Transitional arrangements have been put in place in NSW to support businesses, industry and workers move to this new system.
Check the transitional arrangements to see if they apply to your work.
Note: This page is currently being updated to include the changes required under the new WHS laws.
Plant item registration
With the introduction of the new work health and safety (WHS) laws, the existing plant item registration requirements will continue for 12 months. WorkCover will consult with customers about transitioning plant item registration from the current annual renewal to a five year registration renewal process.
The cost per item for plant registration will change and revised fees will be introduced in 2012.
Plant design registration
With the introduction of the new work health and safety (WHS) laws the existing design registration requirements will continue design registration. WorkCover will provide further details and revised forms for design registration early in 2012.
There are some changes to the requirements for design registration. Key changes include:
- mutual recognition of design registration with other jurisdictions that have implemented WHS legislation
- certain inflatable amusement devices and concrete placement units with delivery boom will need to be item and design registered
- prefabricated scaffolding and formwork to be design registered
- there is no longer a requirement for plant to comply with specified Australian Standards but a statement is to be signed by the designer of plant stating they have complied with relevant design obligations and specifying the published technical standards and engineering principles used in the design.
- the design verifer must have the skills, qualifications competence and experience to design the plant and must be independent of the designer.
A 12 month transitional period applies to all items of plant that were not previously required to be registered. Further details of the changes will be provided in early 2012.
A code of practice, Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace is now available.
More information about plant registration is contained in the Plant Guide 2001 or call 13 10 50.