Modifying plant, machinery and equipment
Modification or alteration of plant can infer obligations upon the modifier including those of a:
If the design of existing plant is altered, new measures are needed for controlling risk. For example, if a designer increased the reach capacity of a mobile crane by fitting a longer boom, a new load chart would be needed in order to control the increased risk of the crane overturning.
Before modifying plant or equipment, consult the designer and manufacturer to ensure that all safety issues are considered. Where the original designer and manufacturer cannot be contacted, only a competent person may carry out modifications.
A competent person should modify plant and equipment:
- as recommended by the manufacturer or in other documented procedures
- according to relevant standards
Plant and equipment should be isolated from power sources and be unable to be switched on accidentally before modifications begin.
In the case of plant that requires design registration, any modifications may require a new plant design registration.
Before returning the modified/altered plant to service, the modifier of the plant should:
- introduce control measures to prevent or remove any risks created by the modification
- inspect and test according to the modified design specifications and relevant Standards
- reapply for design registration if the original design was registrable and the design has been altered substantially to require new control measures to manage the risks.
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