Duties of a competent person: Inspection and maintenance of plant: Information sheet

Last updated: 04 December 2024

Under the work health and safety (WHS) legislation, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) and the person with management or control of plant at a workplace must ensure that the risk in relation to the use of plant in the workplace is eliminated. Where this is not reasonably practicably, the risks must be minimised using the hierarchy of control measures.

As part of these control measures, certain work relating to plant must be carried out by, or in accordance with the recommendations of, a competent person; for example, work involving installation, assembly, construction, commissioning, maintenance, inspection, testing, decommissioning and dismantling of plant. 

Regarding inspection and maintenance, a person is competent if they have acquired through training, qualification or experience, the knowledge and skills to carry out the maintenance and inspection of the item of plant.

Additional requirements under the WHS (General) Regulations 2022 (WHS General Regulations) apply to a competent person for carrying out a major inspection of mobile cranes or tower cranes and for annual inspection of amusement devices and passenger ropeways.

A competent person must act within their knowledge, skills, competencies and training. Therefore, the inspection and maintenance of plant may require more than one competent person.

Note: This document does not list the requirements for a competent person involving inspection and testing of electrical equipment, demolition work, general diving work, design verification, or clearance, inspection and removal of asbestos. 

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