Vending Machine Install / Service SWMS

Vending machine installation and servicing covers the installation, relocation and servicing of vending machines — delivering, positioning, installing, restocking and maintaining vending machines, which are heavy and require electrical connection. The defining hazards are the manual handling and movement of the heavy machines, the tip-over and crush risk of the machines, the electrical connection and work, and the access to client and public premises. This document is written on the basis that vending machine installation and servicing is carried out with the manual-handling, tip-over, electrical and access controls in place.

Vending machine installation and servicing is carried out in connection with the hazardous manual tasks and general WHS requirements, with the heavy machines moved with mechanical aids, the tip-over and crush risk managed, the electrical connection carried out safely by a licensed electrician where required, and the client and public premises managed. The manual handling, the tip-over, the electrical, and the premises access are the considerations. This document coordinates the manual-handling, tip-over, electrical and access controls so the vending machine installation and servicing is carried out safely.

Hazards identified

9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1Engineering: use mechanical aids — trolleys, dollies, stair-climbers, pallet jacks and lifting equipment — and team lifting for the heavy and awkward loads, and manage the manual-handling and awkward-posture hazard with correct technique and the hierarchy of controls for hazardous manual tasks.
2. 2Engineering: manage the tip-over and crush risk of the heavy machine — keeping it upright and controlled when moving, and securing it against tipping when installed.
3. 3Administrative: have any electrical work carried out by a licensed electrician, and manage the electrical hazards of the plant, equipment and leads.
4. 4Administrative: manage the additional hazard of moving heavy items on stairs and uneven ground with appropriate equipment, team lifting and planning, recognising stairs increase the manual-handling and falling-load risk.
5. 5Administrative: manage the access to client and public premises, coordinating with the premises and managing the public.
6. 6Engineering: manage the pinch and crush points on the machine, and manage the refrigeration and any gas in the machine.
7. 7Administrative: manage the restocking and servicing tasks with correct technique, and confirm the machine is installed, secured and safe.
8. 8Administrative: all workers must hold the competencies and licences required for the work, including a High Risk Work Licence for forklift operation, a heavy vehicle driver licence for heavy vehicles, and any dangerous goods or other training required.
9. 9Administrative: conduct a pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, traffic and plant movements, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
10. 10Administrative: consult workers and any health and safety representatives on the work and its risks, record the consultation, and keep this document available at the workplace.
11. 11PPE: high-visibility clothing, eye protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, hearing protection where required, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
12. 12Administrative: review and update this SWMS whenever the work scope changes, after any incident or near miss, when a worker or health and safety representative raises a concern, when new hazards are identified, or at minimum every 12 months.

Applicable Codes of Practice

Worked example

A worker is engaged to install and service vending machines. The heavy machines are moved with mechanical aids — trolleys, stair-climbers and lifting equipment — and team lifting, managing the manual-handling and crush hazard. The tip-over and crush risk of the heavy machine is managed — keeping it upright and controlled when moving, and securing it against tipping when installed. The electrical connection and work are carried out safely, by a licensed electrician where required. Movement on trolleys, stairs and uneven ground is managed with appropriate equipment, team lifting and planning. The access to client and public premises is managed, coordinating with the premises and managing the public. The pinch and crush points on the machine, and the refrigeration and any gas, are managed. The restocking and servicing tasks are carried out with correct technique. The machine is confirmed installed, secured and safe, and the records retained.

Related legislation

• Model Work Health and Safety Act — primary duty of care; the duty to consult workers; the reckless-conduct offence; and notifiable-incident provisions, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations — the plant, hazardous manual tasks, hazardous chemicals and High Risk Work Licence provisions, and the Section 291 high risk construction work and SWMS duties where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
• The Heavy Vehicle National Law and the Chain of Responsibility, the National Transport Commission Load Restraint Guide 2018, and the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, apply to heavy vehicles and the transport of dangerous goods, alongside the model WHS framework, and are administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and the state and territory dangerous goods regulators.
• Forklift operation requires a High Risk Work Licence (LF or LO class) under each state and territory's licensing scheme, and heavy vehicle driving requires the appropriate heavy vehicle driver licence; dangerous goods drivers require dangerous goods licensing and training.
• Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, with the plant, manual handling, hazardous chemicals and high risk construction work provisions applying in place of the model instruments, alongside the Dangerous Goods Act 1985.

Frequently asked questions