This Plant Return, Wash-Down & Defect Reporting SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) gives your team a clear method for cleaning, inspecting and returning plant and equipment at the end of a hire or job. It covers parking and shutting down the plant, safe pressure washer use, keeping water away from electrical components, chemical use, a systematic post-wash inspection, photographing and recording defects, and tagging out unsafe plant before handback. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Civil and earthworks contractors
Builders and landscapers returning hired plant
Plant hire companies and yard teams
Councils and road maintenance crews
Farm and agricultural contractors
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
High-pressure fluid injection from wands, lances or damaged hoses
Eye and skin injury from spray and dislodged debris
Slips, trips and falls on wet, oily or muddy surfaces
Manual handling injuries moving hoses and attachments
Skin or eye irritation from degreasers and detergents
Electric shock from water reaching electrical components or leads
Being struck by or caught between plant in the wash-down bay
Noise from pressure washer operation
Contaminated runoff containing fuel, oil or hydraulic fluid
Undetected defects when plant is returned without a proper inspection
What's included
7 pre-operational checks, from training and a clear wash bay to the pressure washer, chemical labels and SDS, drainage and bunding, parking and PPE
A 14-step operating procedure covering removing gross debris, pressure washer technique, chemicals, protecting electrical parts, visual inspection, photographing and recording defects
Isolation and energy control for shutting down plant, depressurising the pressure washer and tagging out defective plant
7 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for fluid injection injuries, chemical splashes, electric shock and unstable plant
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Hire Services SOP Bundle. At $197 for the whole bundle, it works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it cover pre-start inspections?
No. It covers end-of-hire or end-of-use wash-down, inspection and return. The pre-start inspection before a job and refuelling are covered by separate SOPs.
Does it include defect reporting?
Yes. Workers photograph and record all defects on the plant return or defect report, including minor items, and notify their supervisor straight away.
What happens to unsafe plant?
It's isolated and an out-of-service tag is applied before it goes back into hire stock or to the next user.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
