GUIDANCE NOTE

Isolation of Plant
COMMISSION

WorkSafe
Western
Australia
COMMISSION
Table of Contents

Work injuries 1
The Basic Principle 1
What is an isolation procedure 1
Strict adherence 2
If isolation is not practicable 3
Shutting down 4
Identifying energy sources and other hazards 4
Energy sources 5
Other hazards 5
Risk management 5
Isolating energy sources 6
Identify all isolation points 7
Fluid energy 8
Stored energy 8
Other energy devices 8
Negative pressure 9
Locking out 9
One key only 9
More than one energy source 10
Tagging 11
Personal Danger Tags 12
Out of service tags 13
Guarding 15
Testing isolation procedure 15
What the Law Says 15
Employers shall: 16
Employees shall: 16
Safety and health representatives 16
APPENDIX 1 17
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 17
APPENDIX 2 22
Other Sources of Information 22
Authority
This Guidance Note has been issued by the WorkSafe
Western Australia Commission under section 14 of the
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984. It provides
guidance to assist people at work and in control of workplaces
to develop safe isolation procedures to minimise the risk of
injury while workplace plant is being inspected, repaired,
maintained, assessed, adjusted or cleaned.

Introduction
“Plant” means more than you might think. Plant is a general
name for machinery, tools, appliances and equipment. It
can include things as diverse as a press in a foundry or a
computer in an office. It can range from electric drills to
lifts and escalators; from tractors to hand trolleys; cranes
to commercial fishing nets and arc welding gear.
It also outlines and explains amendments to the
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 that
relate specifically to the isolation of workplace plant from
its power source. These amendments, among many others
to the regulations, came into force on 1 July 2002.
The amended regulations covered in this Guidance Note are:
• Regulation 4.37 Duties of certain persons as to the use
of plant.
• Regulation 4.37A Duties of certain persons for the
purposes of Regulation 4.37(1)(b) or (c).
• Regulation 4.38 Duties of employers as to damaged
plant.
The certain persons referred to in this Guidance Note are
employers, main contractors, self-employed people,
employees and people in control of workplaces or people
in control of access to workplaces.
The three regulations are provided in Appendix 1 at the
end of this Guidance Note.
Work injuries
Every year people at work are injured, sometimes fatally, when
plant is inadvertently activated. These injuries can be prevented
by introducing and following correct isolation procedures.
Before any plant is inspected, repaired, maintained or
cleaned, it must where practicable be shut down and its
energy sources locked out and tagged as part of an isolation
procedure to ensure the safety of those doing the work.

The Basic Principle

The aim is to:

• Isolate all forms of potentially hazardous energy to ensure

that an accidental release of hazardous energy does not
occur.

• Control all other hazards to those doing the work.

• Ensure that entry to a restricted area is tightly controlled.

The basic principle is comprised of five separate steps:

1. Lock.

2. Isolate.

3. Tag.

4. Test.

5. Check.

The success of the basic principle depends on two key factors:

• thorough training of all workers in isolation procedures; and

• the disciplined exercise of individual responsibility in always

following the procedures.

What is an isolation procedure?

An isolation procedure is a set of predetermined steps that
must be followed to ensure that plant and related hazards
cannot jeopardise the safety of those working on the plant.

Where plant is combined with other machinery or equipment

and may involve different processes, hazards and power
sources, written isolation procedures should be developed.

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The development of procedures should be done in
consultation with safety and health representatives, people
doing adjustments, cleaning, maintenance, repairs or
inspections and, if possible, with plant manufacturers,
suppliers and people who designed and installed the plant.
Where practicable, persons experienced in operating the plant
should also be consulted.
The effectiveness of isolation procedures relies on the
provision of information, instruction and training of workers
involved with the plant, and appointing an authorised person
who through supervision ensures isolation procedures are
rigorously applied.
The isolation procedure should be documented and displayed
in a prominent position on or adjacent to the plant where possible.

Strict adherence
Once an isolation system has been introduced, it must be
strictly followed, or it can become ineffective and dangerous.
The system should be reviewed from time to time to ensure
it remains relevant and appropriate.
Isolation procedures in each workplace may vary in detail
because of differences in plant, power sources, hazards and
processes. A basic isolation procedure like the one below
should apply in every case.

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Basic isolation procedure
1. Shut the plant down.
2. Identify all energy sources and hazards.
3. Isolate and lock out all energy sources.
4. De-energise all stored energy sources.
5. Control other potential hazards.
6. Tag plant controls, energy sources and other potential
hazards.
7. Test by “trying” to re-activate the plant, without exposing
the tester or others to risk, to ensure isolation procedures
have been effective, before commencing any
maintenance, cleaning, inspection or repairs on the plant.
8. Once remedial work is complete, the persons who tagged
the controls are to remove the tags before the plant is
returned to operational status.

If isolation is not practicable

There may be workplaces where all the above steps cannot
be carried out because of the way plant is designed or
installed. Or there may be certain plant that can only be
cleaned, maintained, repaired or adjusted by moving
components slowly under power.
In these cases Regulations 4.37A (5), (6) and (7) provide for
alternative measures to be taken by an “authorised person”.
If plant cannot be stopped during cleaning, maintenance or
similar work, the plant must be fitted with controls that allow
safe controlled movement, and written safe procedures must
be developed and followed.
If isolation and lockout procedures are not practicable, the
obligation holder under the legislation must ensure alternative
written safe procedures are developed, followed and reviewed
at regular intervals.

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Like isolation procedures, these
alternative written procedures must
be strictly followed, or they can
become ineffective and dangerous.

Shutting down
Plant that has only one energy source
can usually be shut down by the
operation of a single control such as
a switch or valve. More complex
plant may have to be shut down in a
certain sequence e.g. one conveyor
before another, or by shutting down
several energy sources e.g.
electricity, petrol, diesel, oil, steam,
LPG, LNG or coal.
Shutting the plant down may require
other potential hazards, e.g. pipes and ▲ Ball valve
lines carrying gases, water, acids or lockout.
alkalis to be turned off and locked-
out to prevent re-activation. An alternative to closing and
locking-off a valve may be blanking or the insertion of a spade
(sometimes called a spectacle plate because of its shape).

Identifying energy sources and other

hazards
All energy sources and other hazards likely to place people
doing the work at risk must be identified. This is especially
important when employing contractors who may not be
familiar with the complexities of processes associated with
the plant and the lack of reliable “as-built” diagrams of plant
installations at many workplaces.
If original designer and installer “as built” diagrams are not
available, new diagrams showing location and details of
various plant components, isolation points, switches, valves,
energy lines, pipes, power sources, and control points,
(including computers) need to be developed as part of the
isolation procedures.

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These diagrams can then also be used, along with written
procedures, for information and training of workers.
Energy sources
• Electricity (mains, solar and by generator),
• Fuels,
• Heat,
• Steam,
• Fluids under pressure (such as water, air or hydraulic oil),
• Energy storing devices (such as batteries, springs,
flywheels, accumulators, capacitors),
• Gravity,
• Radiation.

Other hazards
Depending on the type of plant, other hazards may include:
• Hazardous substances, such as gases, acids, alkalis, solvents,
glues, or pooled liquids in which a person may drown,
• Falls,
• Burns,
• Asphyxiation,
• Impact.

Risk management
A risk management approach to the adjustment, inspection,
cleaning, maintenance or repair of plant, and the isolation
procedure itself, requires:
1. Hazards to be identified,
2. Associated risks to be assessed,
3. Unacceptable risks to be controlled, and
4. The controls to be reviewed from time to time to ensure
they remain effective.

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The person in control of the workplace must ensure all
hazards are identified, and procedures are written and
followed to control identified hazards. Before work
commences contractors should be given induction and
briefings on the procedures to be followed.

Isolating energy sources

The person in control of the workplace must also appoint an
“authorised person” who knows and understands the
complexities of the plant. The “authorised person” must, as
far as practicable, ensure the isolation of all energy sources
and potential hazards to those working on the plant.
Shutting off electricity is usually achieved by opening a
switch to produce an air gap too wide for electricity to jump
across. Electrical circuits to equipment typically have a
protection device in each phase of the circuit at its source
(usually a switchboard). This protection device can be in
the form of:
• fuses (1 per phase), sometimes accompanied by a switch
(or combined as a switch fuse unit); or
• circuit breakers (1 per phase, and in the case of circuit
breakers protecting a 3 phase circuit, usually as a 3 phase
combination);
in addition to a single or 3 phase local isolating switch (which
simultaneously opens the supply in each phase) at the equipment
itself. If it is desired to de-energise the circuit to the equipment
as well as the equipment itself, then the circuit protection
device(s) need to be operated (the switch or circuit breaker is
opened, fuses are removed etc). Good practice requires that the
local isolating switch should be opened as well.
NOTE: In some circumstances electrical isolators may only
isolate control circuits - this is not sufficient for the safety of
persons required to work on the equipment although AS 1755
allows isolation of control circuits only in respect of
conveyors.
Care must be taken to ensure all electricity sources are
identified and isolated, bearing in mind some plant will have

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several control stations, and sections of plant may have
independent electricity sources. If programmable logic
devices are used to control the equipment, then it is essential
to use local isolating switches as the means to achieve secure
and safe isolation - it is not acceptable to rely on the controls
of the programmable logic devices for the isolation of
equipment.
Isolating programmes (i.e. step by step instructions) must
be developed and implemented wherever there is a danger
due to the plant being operated whilst being worked on.
Except in the case of equipment connected via a plug and
socket isolating the electricity supply to an item of plant must
include checking that the electrical supply to the devices has
been isolated (not just the control circuit) and disconnected
by an electrician if necessary so that equipment cannot be
inadvertently energised via another source or control system.

Identify all isolation points

All plant of a type that could require an isolation procedure
should be designed with appropriate isolation points for
all energy sources to enable work on the plant to be carried
out safely.
It is important to identify all isolation points in a system, as
it may be necessary to use a local isolator to shut down a
specific part of the machine (e.g. a motor) while the remainder
of the associated plant remains in operation.
Emergency stop buttons, lanyards and similar quick-stop
devices on their own will not necessarily achieve isolation. It
is extremely dangerous to rely solely on emergency stopping
devices, as they are not designed for frequent use, cannot be
locked out in all cases and may allow energy to be inadvertently
re-activated. They may also allow control circuits to remain
live. Remote control rooms and process computers should be
considered when identifying isolation points.

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Fluid energy
Isolation of fluid energy sources is usually achieved by
closing a valve. Again, care needs to be taken to ensure that
isolation is effectively achieved, bearing in mind that some
valves may be remotely controlled, including some that are
automatically controlled by computers. Again, blanking or
the use of spades may be the safest approach.
It may be necessary to drain pipes and lines leading to the
plant, to prevent workers being engulfed by hazardous gases
or liquids or materials such as grain and seeds. It may also
be necessary to break an air lock to allow fluid to drain away
to avoid the possibility of the air lock breaking and fluid
engulfing workers while work is being done. Plant should
incorporate the means to do this. Materials that are fed by
gravity should also be addressed.

Stored energy
While sometimes it is possible to isolate energy in storage
devices (such as batteries) with a valve or a switch, in other
cases the energy must be dissipated before work begins on
associated plant. This is particularly important with electrical
capacitors, springs and gases under pressure (such as in
suspension systems).
Static electricity can be dissipated via an earth to the ground.

Other energy devices

Other energy storing devices that must be considered in
developing an isolation procedure include:
• Those with rotational motion (kinetic energy) such as
flywheels, saws, planers, mixers, pulleys and similar.
• Those with potential energy due to their position. This
type of energy source cannot simply be turned off. The
energy must be dissipated or controlled.
When the potential energy is related to gravity, the plant must
be allowed to “complete its stroke” or “come to rest” so that
gravity has no further influence. Where this is not
appropriate, it may be necessary to prevent movement by

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blocking, wedging or
propping. The “authorized
person” should ensure props,
blocks or wedges cannot be
inadvertently removed; it may
be possible to secure them
with some sort of locking
system (including tagging).
▲ key for lock in use is
locked in box when
there is insufficient
Negative pressure room to attach all
Vacuum, or negative pressure, locks to plant.

while not strictly an energy source, may be used to activate

the plant. As part of the isolation procedure, negative pressure
should be released to avoid hazardous fluids flooding into a
work area should the vacuum break while work is being done.
Locking out
A wide range of devices is available for locking out energy
sources and other hazards that could pose a risk to people
working on plant. These include switches with a built-in lock,
and lockouts for circuit breakers, fuses and all types of valves.
Also readily available are chains, safety lockout jaws
(sometimes called hasps), accommodating a number of
padlocks, and sets of robust safety padlocks.
Only devices that incorporate a lock or can accommodate
one or more padlocks are suitable lockout devices.
If more than one person is working on the same plant, each
person must attach their own lock to prevent the isolator being
opened before all locks have been removed or opened. The
isolation procedure should identify common lock out points
to ensure energy cannot be restored while someone is still
working on the plant.

One key only

A safe lockout procedure ensures each person working on
the plant must have their own lock, key and tag. There
should be no duplicate key available for any lock, except a
secured not readily available master or duplicate key for
use in an emergency.

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During cleaning, repairs, maintenance or adjustment of the
plant, the one key to each person’s lock must be held only
by that person, who is responsible for both locking and
unlocking the lockout device.
This procedure minimises the risk of the lock being
inadvertently opened or removed, energy being restored,
plant re-starting and placing those working on the plant at
high risk.

More than one energy source

If more than one energy source or hazard has to be locked
out to enable safe shutdown of the plant, the single key to
each lockout device should be held by the same person.
If two or more people are working on plant that is isolated
through several lockout points, each person must attach a
lock and tag to each lockout point. To avoid the need for a
worker to carry several keys, it is advisable that each person’s
locks respond to a single key.
Master or duplicate keys must be kept in a secure place away
from the work area, under the strict control of a senior manager
who must ensure they are used only in an emergency.
The comments above describe the common lock-out system
in use at most work places. “Captured key” systems and group
lock-out systems are also acceptable.

▲ Front and rear of labelled lockout hasps - combined

lockout and tag.

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▲ Ball valve lockout.

Tagging
A tag is NOT in itself an effective isolation device. A tag
acts only as a means of providing information to others at
the workplace. When practicable, a lock must be used in
preference to a tag, as an isolation device.
A personal danger tag should accompany each lock used in
an isolation procedure and should identify the person who
put the tag and lock in place, the time and date this occurred
and the item of plant being isolated. In a large workplace it
should also identify the work group of the person who
attached the tag.
The tag system requires a notice to warn personnel against
using the equipment to which a tag is attached. No one
should interfere with or operate any tagged equipment such
as a main switch, push button or other electrical device until
the item has been cleared for safe operation and the attached
tag has been removed. The tag must only be removed by the
person who attached it, or by the “authorised person” in
accordance with an approved procedure. The “authorised
person” is responsible for ensuring procedures affecting the
use of tags are followed.
Locks are available that have a personal danger tag
incorporated to ensure that the tag cannot be removed by
any person other than the person who attached it.

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Warning tags normally used are -
(a) personal danger tags: Personal danger tags should be
restricted to employees who will be working on
equipment. A personal danger tag on the isolation
devices of an item of equipment is a warning that the
equipment is in an unsafe condition and that operation
of that equipment may endanger the person who attached
the tag. All personal danger tags of the disposal type
should be destroyed after use.
(b) out of service tags: An out of service tag is a notice that
distinguishes appliances or equipment out of operation
for repairs and alteration or which are still being installed.
While an out of service tag is attached to the appliance
or equipment, it must not be operated.

Personal danger tags

A personal danger tag (red and white) must be attached to
an isolator whenever the isolator is used to lock out an energy
source to allow work to be done.
The person doing the work must personally fasten their
personal danger tag on all lockout devices involved in the
isolation procedure.
A personal danger tag attached
to an isolation device means the
person is currently engaged in
work on the plant, and that it is
likely that the person will be
injured if the isolating device is
not maintained in the safe
position. ▲ Lockout jaw and
lock.
If more than one person is
involved in the work, each person must attach their own lock
and personal danger tag to the lockout device.
A personal danger tag should be removed only by the person
whose name is written on the tag.
Removal of a personal danger tag from an isolating device
should be carried out as soon as practicable after completing

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the work. In every case a personal danger tag should be
removed prior to leaving the worksite at the end of the shift.
The isolation procedure should include the action to be taken
should a person fail to remove a personal danger tag before
leaving the worksite.
Where work on plant is not completed by the end of a working
shift and the plant is required to remain isolated, arrangements
must be made for out of service tags to be placed on each
isolating point before personal danger tags are removed. If
work on the plant is to continue during the next shift there
must be a “hand over” briefing by the shift leaving the site to
those taking over the work. The briefing should include the
status of the work and the removal or replacement of personal
danger tags and locks.

Out of service tags

A yellow and black out of service tag on an item of
equipment indicates that the equipment is unserviceable
and should not be used. It can be attached to non-powered
plant such as ladders, jacks and trolleys as well as powered
plant and should be attached to the main controls if possible,
or to a prominent part if there are no controls (such as in
the case of a damaged ladder).
Out of service tags should be attached by a competent person
having specific knowledge relating to the plant. However,
this should not preclude any other person from attaching an
out of service tag in emergency situations where it is apparent
that the continued use of the equipment could be dangerous.
Out of service tags should, where applicable, be placed on
devices which isolate energy sources, only when those
devices are set in the ‘off’ or ‘safe’ position.
Prior to attaching an out of service tag all required details
on the tag must be clearly and indelibly entered in the spaces
provided, with emphasis given to the reason for placing
the tag.
Tags must be securely fixed, so as to be clearly visible.
Except in an emergency, out of service tags should be
removed only by an “authorised person” who is both familiar

13
with the equipment and fully conversant with the reason that
the tag was placed.
In the absence of any personal danger tag or lock, removal
of an out of service tag effectively releases plant or equipment
for use, and must not be done prior to ensuring that:
(a) all persons known to have been working on the plant are
clear of the equipment; and
(b) an inspection of the plant indicates that all machinery
guards are in place, that all protective devices are
functional, that all maintenance tools and aids have been
removed, and that the equipment is safe for normal use.
Out of service tags are intended to convey a clear DO NOT
OPERATE warning, and that failure to comply may result
in damage to the equipment and may cause injury to a person.
It is essential that isolating mechanisms with out of service
tags attached are not switched, manipulated, or interfered
with in any way while these tags are in place.
Out of service tags must not be relied upon to provide
personal protection.
Whenever work is required to be
undertaken in or about equipment
or machinery that could cause
injury, personal danger tags should
be used.
It may be necessary by use of an
out of service tag to also register
on any computer controlling the
plant that the plant or (part of it) is
▲ Gate valve lockout.
OUT OF SERVICE.
Personal danger tags and out of service tags should not be
used together on the same item of equipment because they
relate to different circumstances. An out of service tag
should be removed when a personal danger tag is added,
and vice versa.
The above comments relate to tagging systems used in most
workplaces. However, group tagging is also acceptable.

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Guarding
Guarding designed to protect workers from moving parts
may need to be removed or de-activated before adjustment,
inspection, cleaning, repairs or maintenance. The plant’s
energy source must always be isolated and locked out before
guarding is removed. When work on the plant is complete,
guarding must be replaced and secured before energy is
restored and normal operations re-commence.

Testing isolation procedure

After plant has been shut down, locked out and tagged, all
isolated power sources should be tested first with appropriate
instruments and then by trying to activate the plant, before
any person attempts to start work on the plant. This should
be done by a person familiar with the plant (or parts of the
plant, including control stations and computers remote from
the plant) to ensure isolation procedures have been effective.
It is not safe to assume an isolator has locked out an electricity
source simply because it is in an open position. While
normally this should open an air gap between contact points,
it is possible for contact points to become welded together
by the passage of electricity, and remain so even when the
isolator appears to be open.
Work on the plant should not begin until the “authorised
person” confirms it is safe to do so. The calibration of any
instruments required to test isolation procedure should be
checked before use.

What the law says

The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 requires
employers to provide employees with a safe and healthy work
environment, including safe systems of work. It also requires
employees to take reasonable care with their own safety and
health at work, and the safety and health of others.

15
Employers shall:
• Ensure employees are not exposed to workplace hazards
of a safety and health nature.
• Provide employees with adequate information, instruction,
training and supervision.
• Consult safety and health representatives and other
employees about workplace safety and health.
• Where it is impracticable to prevent hazards, provide
employees with adequate personal protective clothing and
equipment.
• Establish and maintain safe systems of work.

Employees shall:
• Take reasonable care of their own and others’ safety and
health.
• Cooperate with employers in carrying out safety and health
requirements.

Safety and health representatives

The Act entitles employees to elect safety and health
representatives to represent and inform them on issues
involving their safety and health, to consult with employers
on resolving these issues, and to assist in their resolution.

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Appendix 1
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations
Western Australian legislation is produced by permission of
the copyright of the owner, the State of Western Australia,
but such legislation does not purport to be the official or
authorised version.
Duties of certain persons as to use of plant
4.37.
(1) A person, who at a workplace, is an employer, a main
contractor, a self-employed person, a person having
control of the workplace or a person having control of
access to the workplace must ensure -
(a) that plant at the workplace is subject to appropriate
checks, tests and inspections necessary to reduce the
risk of injury or harm occurring to a person at the
workplace;
(b) that inspection, repair, maintenance, alteration and
cleaning of the plant at the workplace is carried out
having regard to procedures recommended by the
designer or manufacturer or, if those recommendations
are not available, procedures developed by a
competent person;
(c) where the function or condition of plant at the
workplace is impaired to the extent that it presents
an immediate risk to safety or health, that the plant
is withdrawn from use until the plant is assessed and
repaired under regulation 4.38(1);
(d) that plant at the workplace is used only for the
purpose for which it was designed, unless the person
has determined, and a competent person has
assessed, that a proposed change in use does not
increase the risk of injury or harm occurring;
(e) that measures are provided to prevent, as far as
practicable, interference with plant or the alteration
or use of plant in a manner that could render the
plant a hazard to any person at the workplace;

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 (f) that every dangerous part of a fixed, mobile or hand
held powered plant is, as far as practicable, securely
fenced or guarded in accordance with regulation 4.29
unless the plant is so positioned or constructed that it
is as safe as it would be if securely fenced or guarded;
(g) that a fence or guard provided for the purposes of
this regulation is constantly maintained and of
substantial construction taking into account its
intended purpose;
(h) as far as practicable, that any fence or guard
provided for the purpose of this regulation is kept in
position while the plant is operated; and
(i) in the cases where guarding of any moving part of
the plant does not eliminate the risk of entanglement
or where it is not practicable to guard a moving part
of the plant, that persons do not operate, or pass in
close proximity to, the moving part unless a safe
system of work is in place to reduce the risk as far as
is practicable.
Penalty: $25 000.

(2) A person does not commit an offence under subregulation

(1)(e) if the measures are designed to allow interference
with the plant or the alteration or use of the plant for the
purposes of dealing with an accident or emergency

Duties of certain persons for the purposes of regulation

4.37(1)(b) or (c)
4.37A.
(1) In this regulation -
“energy source” means anything with capacity for doing
work and includes springs under tension or compression,
accumulators, capacitors and other energy storing
devices.
(2) If access to plant at a workplace is required for the
purposes of regulation 4.37(1)(b) or (c), then a person
who, at the workplace, is an employer, a main contractor,

18
 a self-employed person, a person having control of the
workplace or a person having control of access to the
workplace must -
(a) ensure that all hazards associated with and all energy
sources of the plant are identified; and
(b) authorise a person (an “authorised person”) to carry
out the matters referred to in subregulation (3), (4)
or (5)(a).
(3) An authorised person must, if it is practicable to do so,
stop the plant and ensure that any risk associated with
any identified hazard is reduced as far as is practicable.
(4) An authorised person must, if it is practicable to do so,
stop the plant and ensure that -
(a) all energy sources are de-energized, and isolated
using an isolation device and locked-out using a lock-
out device;
(b) an out-of-service tag is fixed to the plant and danger
tags are fixed at the energy sources and the operating
controls of the plant;
(c) the measures taken in paragraph (a) are tested to
ensure that the plant cannot be energized
inadvertently,
(d) anything to be carried out under regulation
4.37(1)(b) or (c) is not carried out before the tests
are carried out; and
(e) after anything to be carried out under regulation
4.37(1)(b) or (c) is carried out, the plant is returned
to operational status.
(5) If it is not practicable to carry out all of the matters
referred to in subregulation (4)(a) to (d)-
(a) the authorised person must ensure that such of those
matters as it is practicable to carry out are carried
out; and
(b) the person who gave the authorised person
authorisation must -

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 (i) ensure that written procedures are developed by
a competent person to deal with the hazards and
energy sources that is not practicable to deal with
under subregulation (4)(a) to (d);
(ii) provide those written procedures to the
authorised person; and
(iii)ensure that the written procedures are followed
by a person carrying out the matters referred to
in regulation 4.37(1)(b) or (c).
(6) If access to plant at a workplace is required for the
purposes of regulation 4.37(1)(b) or (c) and it is not
practicable to stop the plant, then a person who, at the
workplace, is an employer, a main contractor, a self-
employed person, a person having control of the
workplace or a person having control of access to the
workplace must ensure -
(a) that the plant is fitted with operating controls that
allow controlled movement of the plant;
(b) That there are written procedures to be followed in
relation to anything to be carried out under
regulation 4.37(1)(b) or (c) that are designed to
prevent injury to persons working on the plant; and
(c) that persons working on the plant carry out the work
in accordance with the written procedures.
(7) A person does not commit an offence under subregulation
(4)(a) or (5)(a) if the plant is not isolated and locked out
in the case of an accident or emergency.
Penalty applicable to subregulations (2), (3), (4), (5) and
(6): $25 000.

Duties of employers ... as to damaged plant

4.38.
(1) A person, who at a workplace, is an employer, a main
contractor, a self-employed person, a person having control
of the workplace or a person having control of access to
the workplace or a self-employed person must ensure -

20
 (a) when plant at the workplace has been damaged to
the extent that its function or condition is impaired
in a manner that increases a risk of injury or harm
occurring to a person at the workplace, that a
competent person assesses the damage and advises
the first-mentioned person -
(i) of the nature of the damage; and
(ii) whether the plant can be repaired and, if so, what
repairs are to be done to reduce, as far as is
practicable, any risk of injury or harm occurring;
(b) that any repair, inspection and, where necessary,
testing of plant at the workplace is done by a
competent person; and
(c) that repairs to plant at the workplace are done so
that the original design limits in relation to the plant
are not exceeded.
(2) If, at a workplace, any plant is damaged and the damage
exposes a person to a hazard because of the presence of
electricity then a person who, at the workplace, is an
employer, the main contractor, a self employed person, a
person having control of the workplace or a person having
control of access to the workplace must ensure that -
(a) the plant is disconnected from the electricity supply
and that it is not used until the damaged part is
repaired or replaced;
(b) a person authorised by the first-mentioned person
fixes an “out of service” tag to the plant and all the
common isolation points for that plant, and only
removes the tags when the electrical hazard is no
longer a hazard; and
(c) the action to stop the plant and to return the plant to
operational status is taken by a person authorised
by the first-mentioned person.
Penalty applicable to subregulation (1) and (2): $25 000.

21
Appendix 2
Other Sources of Information
1. Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and
Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and the
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 can
be purchased from WorkSafe, Westcentre, 5th Floor,
1260 Hay Street, West Perth [Tel. (08) 9327 8777] or
State Law Publisher, 10 William Street, Perth [Tel. (08)
9321 7688]. Copies are also held in the WorkSafe library,
5th floor, 1260 Hay Street, West Perth.
2. WorkSafe Western Australia Commission
Publications
Codes of practice, guidance notes and other information
published by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission
can be purchased from WorkSafe, Westcentre, 5th Floor,
1260 Hay Street, West Perth [Tel. (08) 9327 8777]. They
can be downloaded from the Internet Service on
www.safetyline.wa.gov.au. Copies are also held in the
WorkSafe library.
The following publications provide further and relevant
information on the isolation of plant.
• Codes of Practice: First Aid, Workplace Amenities,
Personal Protective Equipment
• Guidance Note: Election of Safety and Health
Representatives, Representatives and Committees and
Resolution of Issues
• Guidance Note: The General Duty of Care in Western
Australian Workplaces
• Guidance Note: Working Alone
• Plant Design - A guide for designers, manufacturers,
importers, suppliers and installers of plant
• Plant Design - A guide for employers, self-employed
persons and employees

22
The WorkSafe Western Australia Commission is an
independent tri-partite organisation established under the
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984. Whilst Government
is represented in its membership, the majority of members are
representatives of employers and employees and independent
“expert members” (those appointed on the basis of their
knowledge and experience in occupational safety and health).
Recommendations of the Commission are directed to the
Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection.
The Commission has functions under the Occupational
Safety and Health Act 1984 which complement the objects
set out in section 5 of the Act.
Its functions include the review and development of
occupational safety and health legislation and associated
standards; the review of registration and licensing schemes;
the promotion, formulation and accreditation of training
courses; and the provision of advice and information on
occupational safety and health. A range of information
products is published by the Commission including approved
codes of practice and guidance notes.
The Commission is funded through the WorkSafe Division
of the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection.

23
Contacts for further information
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of
Western Australia
180 Hay Street
EAST PERTH WA 6000
Tel.: (08) 9365 7555
Fax: (08) 9365 7500
E-mail: osh@cciwa.com
Website: www.cciwa.com
UnionsWA
Level 4
79 Stirling Street
PERTH WA 6000
Tel.: (08) 9328 7877
Fax: (08) 9328 8132
E-mail: unionswa@tlcwa.org.au
WorkSafe
Department of Consumer and Employment Protection
Level 5
1260 Hay Street
WEST PERTH WA 6005
Telephone: (08) 9327 8777
Facsimile: (08) 9321 8973
Website: www.docep.wa.gov.au
E-mail address: safety@worksafe.wa.gov.au
TTY: (08) 9327 8838

EnergySafety
Department of Consumer and Employment Protection
20 Southport St
WEST LEEDERVILLE WA 6007
Telephone (08) 9422 5200
Facsimile (08) 9422 5244
 WorkSafe
Western
Australia
COMMISSION

November 2002
ISBN 0-7307-7616-6

WESTCENTRE
1260 Hay Street West Perth
PO Box 294 West Perth 6872
Ph: (08)9327 8777 Fax: (08)9321 8973

Comprehensive work safety and health

information can be found at:
www.safetyline.wa.gov.au

Safetyline is a service provided by the

Department of Consumer and
Employment Protection
(www.docep.wa.gov.au)

Photographs reproduced with permission of

Brady Australia Pty Ltd