WorkSafe has launched a proactive initiative to ensure persons undertaking inspection of plant equipment are adequately trained and fully competent to meet legislative requirements under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act) and Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022.
During the 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years, WorkSafe inspectors will conduct visits to sites in metropolitan and regional areas. The focus of these visits will be on improving the safety and effectiveness of plant inspection practices.
Under the WHS Act, if a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) provides a WHS service to another PCBU, they have duties as a WHS service provider. This includes consultants.
The initiative reflects WorkSafe’s commitment to fostering a culture of safety and compliance across industries in Western Australia. By focusing on the competency of a person responsible for inspecting plant equipment, we aim to reduce risks, prevent workplace incidents and ensure safer workplaces for everyone.
WHS service providers have regulatory obligations to verify the competent person acquired their competency through training, qualification or experience. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to enforcement actions.
Resources and Guidance
- Duties of a competent person: Inspection and maintenance of plant: Information sheet
- Duty of persons conducting business or undertakings that provide services relating to work health and safety: Interpretive guideline
- Managing risks of plant in the workplace: Code of practice
- Plant design and registration