Victoria: safe machinery needs controls throughout its working life

WorkSafe Victoria’s Plant compliance code was published on 19 December 2019 and remains available on its official resource page. It operates within Victoria’s OHS framework.

Practical points

The Plant code covers machinery risks from selection through use, maintenance and disposal. Review guarding, operator controls and foreseeable maintenance tasks, not just normal production.

Its isolation guidance distinguishes a warning tag from an effective energy-isolation device: a tag alone is not isolation. It describes individual locks, keys and tags for people involved in maintenance, cleaning or repair. Stopping a machine and controlling every hazardous energy source are not the same task. Competent, task-specific arrangements are essential.

Important update

WorkSafe warns the code has not been updated for the Amusement Structure Regulations effective 29 July 2026. Do not describe it as covering all current plant-registration duties.

A corrections example

In a hypothetical prison laundry, a recurring jam should trigger a review of equipment and the safe maintenance process. Do not normalise reaching around guarding or treating an emergency stop as permission to intervene. Record the fault and use the authorised maintenance arrangements.

Status and source

Following the code provides deemed compliance only for duties it covers. Other lawful methods are possible; the code does not replace the legislation. General education, not individual legal advice.

Read the official WorkSafe resource page and complete official PDF.