AM5 - Assessment and Inspection of Assets

Purpose

To minimise the risk posed by poorly maintained assets in aquatic facilities and aquatic features.

Description

The extent to which the risk of exposure must be controlled is to a level which is ‘reasonably practicable'. Safety issues can often be identified and solved during the inspection process and can prevent an accident or incident occurring. There are a number of different reasons for inspections, including:

• Routine inspection of the workplace to identify hazards and the condition of assets
• Specific inspections for particular assets or procedures,
• Investigations of accidents/incidents.
• Investigations of complaints.
• Follow up inspections after changes to plant, work activities or procedures.

Day to Day Inspections

Asset and Risk Management should be seen as a proactive, day to day process to identify physical hazards, increased exposure to assets through deterioration and prevent injuries from happening before they can do harm.

It is common for physical hazards to change in an aquatic environment, therefore ongoing risk and asset assessment will help ensure safety in an aquatic facility is maintained at all times for workers and the public.

Aquatic facilities, physical plant and equipment should be inspected regularly and maintained to eliminate hazards and risks from those hazards. Common examples of hazards include uneven edges or broken surfaces, gratings or covers, loose mats or carpet tiles.

Any hazards identified as part of routine operations or as part of a formal inspection process should be identified in a hazard report form and reviewed and management as part of the risk assessment process.

Annual Inspections

In addition to the day-to-day hazard identification, owners or operators of an aquatic facility should perform a full conditions assessment of its assets.

This inspection should occur annually (or quarterly as part of an inspection schedule), using standard asset assessment form.

Various other individuals may assist with the annual Health and Safety Inspection including local government facility management workers, specialised staff or the like.

When analysing assets at an aquatic location, the owner or operator of the aquatic facility should use the following table as an indication of the condition of the asset:

When evaluating the condition of an asset at an aquatic facility the owner or operator should use the following table to guide the urgency and rectification need each assets condition assessment.

Asset Defect and Reporting

If an asset it considered to be in defect an isolation system comprising of Safety Tags and/or locks and training to inform the staff of the isolation process should be in place for all plant and equipment.

Safety Tags should be used where plant and equipment at a level 5, 4 or 3 where it:

1. Is in a dangerous condition
2. Is being worked on
3. Has not been designed or installed correctly

Safety Tags should include but are not limited to include the following:

1. Location of Plant/equipment
2. Name
3. Reason for Safety Tag
4. If the facility owner or operator (or their delegate) has been notified
5. Date
6. Type of Issue
7. Who completed the safety tag

Insurance

It is good practice to review and update insurance policies as part of the Asset health and safety inspection annually, ensuring the policy is current and covers all the assets. Annual updates of the asset register provide the opportunity to update insurance policies for the building and plant.

Two yearly valuations should be undertaken for insurance purposes. Obtain quotes from the market place on a regular basis to ensure the best deals are received.

Once the likely risks are identified, owners should approach an insurance company with the policy outline. Most companies will provide assistance with drawing up insurance ‘specifications’ documents but it is important to let them know that competitive prices will be sought from other insurance companies. When requesting quotes, ensure the quotes are based on the same specifications.

Check the policy coverage prior to accepting. Insurance policies for an aquatic facility should cover the following as a minimum:

• Plant and buildings (breakdown/damage etc.)
• Cessation of business
• Business interruption
• Fire and theft, earthquake
• Trustee liability
• Public liability

Asset Defect and Reporting

If an asset it considered to be in defect an isolation system comprising of Safety Tags and/or locks and training to inform the staff of the isolation process should be in place for all plant and equipment.

Safety Tags should be used where plant and equipment at a level 5, 4 or 3 where it:

1. Is in a dangerous condition
2. Is being worked on
3. Has not been designed or installed correctly

Safety Tags should include but are not limited to include the following:

1. Location of Plant/equipment
2. Name
3. Reason for Safety Tag
4. If the facility owner or operator (or their delegate) has been notified
5. Date
6. Type of Issue
7. Who completed the safety tag

Insurance

It is good practice to review and update insurance policies as part of the Asset health and safety inspection annually, ensuring the policy is current and covers all the assets. Annual updates of the asset register provide the opportunity to update insurance policies for the building and plant.

Two yearly valuations should be undertaken for insurance purposes. Obtain quotes from the market place on a regular basis to ensure the best deals are received.

Once the likely risks are identified, owners should approach an insurance company with the policy outline. Most companies will provide assistance with drawing up insurance ‘specifications’ documents but it is important to let them know that competitive prices will be sought from other insurance companies. When requesting quotes, ensure the quotes are based on the same specifications.

Check the policy coverage prior to accepting. Insurance policies for an aquatic facility should cover the following as a minimum:

• Plant and buildings (breakdown/damage etc.)
• Cessation of business
• Business interruption
• Fire and theft, earthquake
• Trustee liability
• Public liability

References

• AS ISO 550001:2014 Asset Management – Management systems - requirements

Forms / Templates

• Asset Register Template – Form
• Health and Safety Inspection Form