Isolation of Plant and Machinery SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers the isolation of plant and machinery from work-scope review and shutdown through energy isolation, stored-energy control, locking, verification, reinstatement and testing. It supports planning by addressing unexpected movement or start-up, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal and stored-energy risks.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Review the work scope and identify the plant
• Set up the work area
• Position plant safely
• Shut down the plant
• Identify isolation points
• Isolate energy sources
• Control stored energy
• Apply personal locks
• Prove zero energy
• Perform authorised work
• Inspect and reinstate the plant
• Remove locks and test

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses involved in authorised plant and machinery isolation activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to manage plant risks, provide safe systems of work, consult workers, provide information, training and supervision, and prevent unauthorised interference with plant.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant in the Workplace (guidance only; confirm adoption and status in the relevant jurisdiction). The Code sets out shut-down, identification of all energy sources and isolation points, isolation, stored-energy control, lock-out, tagging and safe test-out.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace (guidance only; confirm adoption and status in the relevant jurisdiction). It requires de-energised electrical equipment to be protected against inadvertent re-energisation and supports locking-off, tagging and verification.
• AS 4024.1 Safety of machinery series, including principles for risk assessment, guarding and control systems.
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations—Construction and demolition sites, where applicable.
• AS/NZS 3760 In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment, where applicable.
• AS/NZS 4836 Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment, where applicable.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections