Workplace Health and Safety Queensland recently completed a targeted round of compliance activities across businesses that operate lifting equipment, including elevating work platforms (EWP). What they found was a consistent gap: many businesses do not fully understand their legal obligations for EWP inspection and maintenance.
The consequences of that gap are serious and often long lasting. Undetected deterioration or equipment defects can lead to catastrophic failure, and the injuries that follow are frequently severe or fatal.
What the law requires
Businesses that operate lifting equipment, including EWPs, must ensure that equipment is:
- safe and fit for purpose at all times
- maintained and inspected in line with the manufacturer’s instructions
- compliant with relevant Australian standards
- compliant with state and territory legislative requirements
These are not optional. They are legal obligations, and compliance activities by WorkSafe QLD have confirmed that not all businesses are meeting them.
The 10-year critical component inspection
One of the most significant findings from recent compliance activities was that many businesses are unaware of the 10-year critical component inspection requirement.
For certain types of plant and equipment, including many EWPs, a thorough inspection of critical structural and mechanical components is required at the 10-year mark. This inspection goes beyond what can be identified during routine operation or standard maintenance checks. It is designed to identify wear, hidden damage and structural fatigue that accumulates over time and may not be visible to operators or in day-to-day maintenance records.
If your EWP fleet includes equipment approaching or past the 10-year mark, this is a compliance obligation that needs to be reviewed immediately.
Record keeping
Inspection and maintenance records are a legal requirement, not a suggested practice. Your records must demonstrate that:
- scheduled inspections have been completed on time
- findings from those inspections have been documented
- any defects identified have been actioned
In the event of an incident or a regulatory audit, records that are incomplete, out of date or missing entirely represent a significant compliance and liability risk.
Pre-operational checks
Beyond scheduled maintenance, operators are required to conduct pre-operational checks before using an EWP. These checks exist to identify defects that may have developed between maintenance cycles. If a defect is identified during a pre-operational check, the equipment must be taken out of service until repairs are completed. Continuing to operate defective equipment is a breach of WHS obligations and places workers at direct risk.
What to review now
WorkSafe QLD recommends that businesses review their inspection and maintenance programs to confirm:
- all required safety checks are being completed on schedule
- inspection records are current and accurately reflect the equipment’s condition
- workers understand how to identify defects and know the process for reporting them
- equipment approaching the 10-year mark has been scheduled for a critical component inspection
EWP operator training
One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of equipment misuse and undetected defects is well-trained operators. Workers who hold a nationally recognised EWP qualification understand the equipment they operate, know what to look for during pre-operational checks, and understand their responsibilities on site.
Link Resources delivers nationally recognised EWP training across multiple locations:
EWP Under 11m (RIIHAN301E)
For boom lifts, scissor lifts and similar equipment under 11 metres
EWP Over 11m (TLILIC0005)
For boom-type EWPs operating above 11 metres
Both are High Risk Work Licences, issued through the relevant state regulator following completion of training and competency assessment.
