6.3.3 Manufacturers, Designers and Suppliers
The legislation requires that manufacturers, designers and suppliers of plant and substances (e.g. raw materials or chemicals) consider the health and safety of persons who are intended to use the plant or substances. The legislation requires manufacturers, designers and suppliers to:
- Ensure safe plant and substances.
- Carry out and arrange for research, testing or examination. Any risks to health and safety that are discovered need to be eliminated or minimized from plant or substances.
- Provide information on the use of plant and substances and results of any relevant tests and research.
Before this group was included in the legislation, dangerous equipment could arrive at a workplace unguarded. The responsibility (and expense) for rectifying design faults was also passed on to the employer. Such practices are unacceptable today. These obligations are dealt with in more detail in the section on Plant and Equipment.