Why We Ask These Questions: 

• To make sure your fleet and machinery are safe, reliable and legally compliant. 

• Keeping vehicles roadworthy and equipment in top condition prevents accidents, downtime and costly fines. 

What It’s Based On: 

• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) – Part 5 Plant and Structures, r 147–149 (managing electrical and mechanical risks) 

• AS/NZS 2359.8:2013 – Daily inspection and maintenance of industrial trucks (forklifts) 

• Heavy Vehicle National Law – Chapter 6 (vehicle standards, operator licensing, Chain of Responsibility) 

• Model WHS Regulation 2011 (Cth) r 36 (risk‐control measures) 

Question	Why It Matters	What You Need to Show
How many vehicles over 15 m³ are in your fleet?	Determines your obligations under HVNL—licensing, fatigue management and chain-of-responsibility duties.	Fleet register showing make, model, capacity and HVNL classification for each vehicle.
Are vehicle maintenance records up to date?	Regular servicing meets WHS duties, reduces breakdowns and supports HVNL vehicle standards.	Service invoices, logbooks with date, odometer reading and next service due.
Are forklift services and daily inspections performed?	Prevents equipment failure, injury and downtime; meets AS/NZS 2359.8 and WHS plant-maintenance duties.	Daily pre-start check sheets; periodic service reports from a qualified technician.
Is a vehicle compliance checklist completed (rego, seals, photos)?	Documents roadworthiness, registration and load-sealing—protects against fines and insurance disputes.	Completed compliance checklists, current registration papers and seal-integrity photos.

Regulations 

• NSW, QLD, SA, TAS & NT: 

They all follow the national WHS rules for plant safety (regs 147–149 in Part 5) under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011/2012 (ss 19–20). Trucks fall under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (ss 6 & 20). 

• Victoria: 
  Runs on the old Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and OHS Reg 2017. Plant safety is in regs 447–458, with mechanical and electrical risks in regs 177–179. 

• Western Australia: 
  Uses the WHS Act 2020 and WHS Reg 2022. Plant safety is in Division 5.04. 

• Australian Capital Territory: 
  Sticks with the 2011 WHS Regulation and has plant rules into Division 5.1. 

Everywhere, you still need to: 

• Manage electrical and mechanical risks (model regs 147–149 or your local version) 

• Inspect forklifts to AS/NZS 2359.8 

• Meet HVNL vehicle standards and licensing (ss 6 & 20)