A guarded, tested, in-date tool — or it doesn't get used. Defective gear gets tagged out, not nursed along.
Start safeControl the riskStop when it changes
Scroll the journey
1
When it applies
If you're doing any of this, this guide is in play.
Powered tools
Compressors
Grinders
Drills
Vacuums
Pressure washers
Scaffold components
EWPs
Hired plant
2
Before you start
Before the work begins, the Site Supervisor confirms — and you check your own work area.
Registration
Inspection
Guards
Leads & RCDs
Maintenance
Training
Suitability
3
The controls
Work down the hierarchy — collective protection first, PPE last. PPE never carries the job on its own.
The RPD rule
Use plant within manufacturer limits. Keep guards fitted. Remove defective equipment from service and tag it out.
Within limitsGuards fittedTag out defectsHold point — never skip
Do not operate plant that is damaged, unregistered where required, or outside its inspection / test date.
A damaged or out-of-date tool gets tagged and removed — never nursed through 'one more job'.
5
Stop & escalate
See any one of these? The job stops until it's fixed — no exceptions.
- Plant fails inspection
- Plant has been modified
- Uncontrolled noise / dust / vibration — isolate
Stop work→ tell the Site Supervisor → don't restart until the control is back and the SWMS is reviewed.
6
What gets recorded
The job isn't done until the evidence exists. Live records go in Breadcrumb.
Breadcrumb · live site
- Plant inductions
- Plant / equipment register
- Electrical test & tag records
- Pre-starts & toolbox talks
- Hazard reporting for defective equipment