South Australian Businesses Reminded to Heed Safety Warning

SafeWork South Australia and its Executive Director, Bryan Russell are reminding all businesses and employees of the need to fulfil their workplace health and safety duties.

According to Russell the 3 prosecutions handed down by the Industrial Court last week serve as a reminder to other employers and workers about the importance of WHS. Russell and SafeWork SA’s message to employers is to fulfil health and safety requirements before accidents occur, rather than waiting until there is an incident.

Although only one of the 3 prosecutions that occurred last week were related to the construction industry, the fact that there were 3 in one week is an indication that overall health and safety is being neglected.

The building company involved received a staggering $100,000 fine after it pleaded guilty to breaching Occupational, Safety and Welfare Act 1986. The incident involved a teenage worker who was injured when he fell down a lift shaft. It was the seventeen year old’s first day on the job at Henley Beach when he sustained several injuries.

The other 2 incidents occurred at a development company and a retail company. One incident involved a fall and an unprotected worker and the other resulted in the hospitalisation of a worker in an incident involving a forklift. It is also concerning that in all 3 incidents, workers were injured because of a fall.

An article posted on SafetyCulture.com.au explains more about the incidents and the warning issued by SafeWork SA,

SafeWorkSA_webIn the same week, a development company pleaded guilty to breaching Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986 by failing to ensure that a worker used harness and inertia reel to protect him from falling. The worker fell while working on a construction site. He sustained lacerations to his face, broken bones and some residual physiological problems.

The company was issued with a conviction and was fined $130,000 with a 30% discount ($91,000).

A retail company also pleaded guilty to breaching the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986 for an incident in July 2012 that left a worker hospitalised. He was lifted off the ground in a cage which was being lifted by a forklift. He overbalanced and fell to the ground and was hit by the cage that fell on top of him.

Source: http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/07/safework-sa-reminds-employers-workers-work-health-safety-responsibility/#.U9Dw5_mSyJg

Falling is the most common cause of injury on worksites, yet many employers are clearly still failing to guard against fall hazards, resulting in the high number of worker injuries. That is why SafeWork SA has issued their warning and reminded all businesses of the possibility of legal action for any safety breaches or unsafe practices discovered on their work sites.

Russell went on to state:

“If found guilty severe penalties may be imposed by the courts.”

He said successful management of work health and safety can be achieved by following simple steps including identifying and addressing risks in worksites, consulting with workers and providing training and supervision to workers.

“Prevention is better than prosecution,” said Mr Russell.

Source: http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/07/safework-sa-reminds-employers-workers-work-health-safety-responsibility/#.U9Dw5_mSyJg

 

Company Officer Fined under WHS Act 2011

In the very first case of its kind an ACT based company officer has been personally charged under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (ACT)(WHS Act). It is the first prosecution of its kind and serves as a harsh warning to other safety officers about the seriousness of their duties and the consequences of failing in these duties.

The officer, Mr al-Hasani from Kenoss Constractors was charged over a safety incident that resulted in a worker fatality in March 2 years ago. WorkSafe ACT has charged both al-Hasani and Kenoss Contractors over the tragic incident.

WorkSafe ACT reiterated that this case proves how seriousness authorities are about safety and that they are willing to prosecute not only companies but individuals in senior management roles over workplace incidents, especially if their actions result in workers’ injuries and fatalities. Employers as well as senior management must be aware of their obligations under the Workplace Health and Safety Act and fulfil these obligations.

The accident which resulted in the accident and the subsequent fatality and charges occurred in March 2012 when Michael Booth, a truck driver employed by the company died when he suffered an electric shock. The 48 year old man was operating a tip truck at the time when the elevated trailer of the truck made contact with an over-head power line.

According to a post on Mondaq.com the charges against the officer were as follows

The Officer faces two charges under s 32 of the WHS Act for failing to comply with a health and safety duty. Section 32 provides that a person commits a category 2 offence if that person has a health and safety duty that they fail to comply with, and that failure exposes an individual to a risk of death or serious injury. A category 2 offence carries a maximum penalty of $300,000 for an officer.

Source: http://www.mondaq.com/australia/x/333406/Health+Safety/First+Officer+charged+under+Work+Health+Safety+Act

According to WorkSafe, the officer as well as the company failed to comply with its obligations resulting in the death and the charges. The officer’s duty was to ensure that the company complied with its obligations, which include (according to Mondaq.com)

…to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of its workers while at work, including the provision and maintenance of:

  • a work environment without risks to health and safety, and
  • safe systems of work.

The due diligence steps that the Officer was required to take to ensure the PCBU complied with its s 19 obligations, include to:

  • acquire and maintain up-to-date knowledge on WHS matters
  • gain an understanding of the nature of the PCBU operations and the hazards and risks associated with those operations
  • ensure the PCBU has, and uses, appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise risks
  • ensure the PCBU has appropriate processes for receiving and considering information on incidents, hazards and risks, and responds in a timely way to that information, and
  • ensure the PCBU implements processes for complying with its obligations under the WHS Act.

Source: http://www.mondaq.com/australia/x/333406/Health+Safety/First+Officer+charged+under+Work+Health+Safety+Act

The officer has pleaded not guilty to the charges but WorkSafe and ACT Work Safety Commissioner, Mark McCabe stated that this case should serve as an important reminder to officers about the need to maintain a safe work environment and comply with workplace health and safety regulations.

Construction the Fifth most Dangerous Industry in Australia!

While we have always been aware that construction is a high risk industry, responsible for hundreds of injuries in Oz every year, it has now been made official by Safe Work Australia.

The construction industry is officially the fifth most dangerous industry in the nation having recorded fewer injuries than the agriculture, forestry and fishing, transport, postal and warehousing industries alone.

Having cracked the top five list the construction industry also records some of the highest workers compensation claims. Last year it had the fifth highest number of fatalities.

A major killer in this industry over the past year in particular is falls from heights, followed closely by accidents involving construction vehicles and electrocution incidents.

Due to the revelation that work from heights, construction vehicles and electrical hazards are still the biggest killers on construction sites, I have decided to revisit these 3 pertinent issues which seem to be claiming so many construction workers lives.

  • Work from Heights Hazards:

Already this year we have witnessed at least a dozen deaths from falls from heights and even internationally this is the number one cause of workplace fatalities.

Unfortunately despite how common this type of incident is on construction sites and work sites in general, many workers and employers still fail to recognise the importance of guarding against falls.

Even before work begins safety hazards should be identified, including work from height hazards. The most obvious hazards include work from scaffolding, roofing, elevated work platforms and incomplete structures.

  • Construction Vehicles:

Another common hazard associated with construction is presented by construction vehicles and other heavy machinery.

Construction vehicles are invaluable to the construction process but if the risks associated with them aren’t identified and dealt with, they can cause more chaos and injuries.

A good site traffic plan should be developed and implemented in order to avoid accidents involving construction vehicles colliding with each other, with pedestrians and even with structures under construction.

The good news about this hazard is that most accidents are completely avoidable with the necessary planning, training and caution.

  • Electrical Hazards:

There are multiple  electrical hazards that are present on construction sites. One of the most common that often results in construction worker fatalities is contact with energised power lines. Both overhead and underground power lines present a hazard to construction and therefore need to be identified beforehand and addressed to avoid harm to workers.

Overhead as well as buried power lines on construction sites are particularly dangerous because an extremely high voltage runs through them. Burns and even death can result and when combined with tools and equipment coming into contact with power lines, the risk is increased.

Ultimately employers do hold most of the responsibility for health and safety in the workplace but employees also have a role to play. Employees have a duty of care to ensure that they work in a way that does not endanger their health and safety or that of their co-workers. They also have a responsibility to adhere to their safety training, training provided by the employer and general construction induction training known as The White Card.

 

Flash Fire in Confined Space

Often whilst engaging in construction activities we are required to work near hazards or in a hazardous environment. In fact a construction site is one of the most hazardous places to work which is why workers must be trained on construction site health and safety in order to avoid succumbing to the risks associated with these hazards.

One such hazard that commonly occurs on construction sites (whether mining construction, road construction, building construction sites etc.) is presented by a confined space.

We need to recognise and identify what constitutes a “confined space” before we are able to address the risks associated with this hazard. A confined space is classified as an enclosed or partially enclosed space that is not designed be occupied by a person.

Typically on a construction site an example of a confined space may be presented by excavations or trenches, drainage or sewerage pipes and crawl spaces.

But what makes work in confined spaces most high risk are its atmosphere, contaminants or engulfment, serious consequences could result, possibly fatal.

Risks Associated with Work in Confined Spaces

An accident which took place in San Joaquin in the USA is an example of why work in confined spaces can be so high risk and deadly to workers. Last year a flash fire occurred inside a metal tank, causing an industrial painter to sustain serious burns. The company responsible was subsequently fined for their failure to adequately address the hazard and provide the worker with a safe work environment.

The following excerpt from a post on EHSToday.com details the incident:

On Dec. 17, 2013, the worker was spraying a flammable coating on the inside walls of a large steel tank when a fire was ignited by a portable halogen light. The 37-year-old man was rescued but spent three days in the burn unit at San Joaquin Community Hospital.

“This was a preventable accident,” said Christine Baker, Director of the Department of Industrial Relations. “The employer was aware that working inside the confined space was dangerous but did not take the required steps to avoid putting workers at serious risk.”

Source: http://ehstoday.com/safety/flash-fire-confined-space-prompts-calosha-citation

The company employing the man should have identified the risks associated with working in the space and implemented the necessary measures to guard against them. The company responsible for this incident was accused of using an unauthorised electric lamp while the painter was working in an explosive atmosphere, not having a permit to work in a confined space and not providing proper ventilation or protective equipment for the worker in the confined space.

Another problematic action or inaction identified on the employer’s part was failure to train workers for work in confined spaces.

Although this incident occurred in the United States, Australia also has strict health and safety laws pertaining to work in confined spaces and in general on construction sites.

In Australia every worker engaging in construction work of any sort must complete general construction safety training in the form of The White Card course.

This course is aimed at educating workers on the basic health and safety issues relating to construction work, of which one if working in a confined space.

But in addition to this certification that every worker must obtain, employers have to ensure that workers engaged in high risk work are adequately trained and supervised, in certain instances this involves obtaining a high risk licence, in which case being in possession of a White Card alone will not be sufficient.

 

White Card Update: Death on Coal Mine Construction Site

The Boggabri coal mine in New South Wales has become the site of yet another worker fatality to take place in the mining industry over the last couple of days. The previous incident took place in Queensland at the Grasstree coal mine.

The following short excerpt explains in brief what happened on the mining construction site,

CPA few days after the death of a worker at the Grasstree coal mine in central Queensland, another worker has died in north-west New South Wales.

According to the Queensland Times, the Thiess Sedgman Joint Venture employee was working on the construction of the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) for Boggabri Coal. The death was confirmed by the company on Wednesday.

The incident is being probed by officers from the workplace and police with the help of Thiess Sedgman.

Thiess Sedgman extended deepest sympathies to family members of the departed employee and promised them full support.

Workers on the site are being offered trauma counselling to help them cope with the situation.

Source: http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/05/worker-dies-coal-plant-construction-site-boggabri/

This accident brings to 3 the death toll over the last 6 weeks on mining sites. According to police reports this latest accident involved a 30 year old man who died while working on the construction of a coal-handling plant at Boggabri coal mine in northwest NSW. It seems the man may have been hit by a piece of machinery on the site and suffered fatal injuries.

Witnesses say co-workers tried to assist and even conducted CPR on the injured man. Loud screaming and yelling was apparently also heard on the site at the time of the accident.

According to NSW assistant secretary Rebel Hanlon the latest fatality came on the back of last month’s double fatality at a mine site in the NSW Hunter Valley which shocked workers on the site. The previous accidents took place when a wall collapsed on 2 workers, Jamie Mitchell 49 and Phillip Grant, 35. The men were working 500m below the ground at the time on a coal mine in Paxton on April 15.

At the time of his death on the Boggabri coal mine the worker was apparently working on a construction site at the mine. The construction contractor, in his 30s, was in the open cabin work platform at the Boggabri mine site when he was killed.

The following excerpt from a post on Dailytelegraph.com.au explains:

The accident occurred at a construction site several kilometres from the open cut mine 60kms north of Gunnedah.

He suffered “traumatic head and neck injuries” and went into a “traumatic cardiac arrest” when paramedics arrived, a NSW Ambulance spokesperson said. He died at the scene.

The Telegraph understands the man was from the Gold Coast area and had a young family.

The rigger was working on the Thiess Sedgman Joint Venture Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) or “coal crusher” at the Idemitsu Australia mine. The mine is a subsidiary of Japanese firm Idemitsu Kosan.

Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/cherry-picker-worker-dies-at-boggabri-coal-mine-in-nsw-north-west/story-fni0cx4q-1226925216412

 

Crane Accident under Investigation

A crane accident has rocked a construction site in Adelaide at the Royal Adelaide Hospital causing workers to be evacuated and work to grind to halt.

Yet another incident involving cranes has taken place, this time during the lifting of a load which became dislodged from a sling. The dislodgement caused steel being lifted to fall from the load, narrowly missing workers down below.

No one was injured during the incident but obviously the outcome could have been devastating. SafeWork SA is now investigating the incident which apparently occurred around 7:30am.

The construction union is apparently outraged at the incident because it isn’t the first to have taken place on the site, suggesting that shortcuts are being taken by site controllers.

The following excerpt from an article on Abc.net.au explains further:

5535370-4x3-340x255There have been several crane incidents during the building work including a crane’s load hitting a work shed.

Construction union official Aaron Cartledge has accused the building consortium of taking shortcuts because the hospital project is getting behind schedule.

“There are a number of workers just getting sick and tired of how the project is going,” he said.

“We’re trying to drill down to what are some of the endemic problems.”

Mr Cartledge says it would appear the latest problem was not due to any issue with the crane itself.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-19/crane-incidents-steel-sling-royal-adelaide-hospital-site/5535272

While the SafeWork SA investigation is ongoing, work on the site has since resumed. Part of the steel load fell while it was being moved by a tower crane on Thursday, luckily missing the workers on the site down below.

According to a media statement by SafeWork SA, it is taking an active role in investigating the incident as it does all notifiable incidents. The investigation is centring around the cause of the accident and ensuring that corrective measures are taken as well as implementing preventative actions to ensure no further incidents of this nature take place.

The following excerpt from a post SafetyCulture.com.au explains:

SafeWork SA is also monitoring work safety at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital construction. SafeWork SA inspectors conduct regular visits to the site which operates 24 hours a day with more than 1,000 workers. Crane safety and operations across the site is also being discussed together with representatives from Hansen Yuncken, Leighton Contractors, CFMEU, CEPU, crews and other site personnels.

Source: http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/06/safework-sa-continues-investigate-crane-incident/

While cranes are powerful tools and are often irreplaceable on construction sites, if not used carefully they can be extremely dangerous, not only to workers on the site, crane operators and visitors to the work site but also to pedestrians and cars in adjacent areas as loads don’t always fall directly to the construction site below, but parts of the load can also reach outside of the site and injure or even kill innocent passers-by. Most crane fatalities take place when workers are crushed by the crane of its loads, usually during load shifts, machine malfunctions or operator error.

Construction Education and Training

A question that health and safety training experts suggest employers ask is whether they educate their staff or simply provide training?

At first glance they may seem like the same thing but in fact educating workers on safety and simply providing them with safety training are very different and the effectiveness of your efforts will depend on whether they are “educated” or simply “trained”?

Experts in the health and safety arena will tell you training isn’t just about providing workers with written material and expecting them to memorise it. Experience has taught us that people learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process.

And as employers its’ important to recognise that getting the safety message across is more important than simply fulfilling health and safety legislation, it is a matter of productivity and more importantly a matter of life and death.

So what is the most effective way of training workers on safety?

One way that has proven effective and is growing in popularity globally not just in Australia is online training.

In my opinion one reason why online safety training is gaining in popularity is because of its effectiveness in getting the message across. Whereas traditional training in a classroom environment or simply providing workers with written material doesn’t motivate them to get involved and interact, online training ensures that workers are actively engaged in the training program.

One program that has been delivered effectively and cost efficiently online is the general construction induction course which has been mandated for all construction workers by the federal government.

This safety induction course is known as The White Card course and can be completed online rather than having to attend a traditional educational institute. This is beneficial for a number of reasons, the most popular being:

  1. Saving time:  Registration and completion of the course from the comfort of the student’s home means that they don’t have to stand in long queues to register or travel to classes to complete the course. The majority of the course is completed online and a small part of the assessments are done over the phone. This ensures that students are actively engaged in the learning process which experts have discovered is the best way to learn and retain the information learned.
  2. Saving money: Most students entering the construction industry are eager to get to work and start earning. Our short course can be completed quickly and save learners money on registration fees and travel costs. It also saves those who are working and studying at the same time because they don’t have to take time off work. The course can be completed at night, during lunch breaks or whenever students have a minute or two to spare. The cost of the online course is nominal compared to other training courses.
  3. Getting actively involved rather than learning passively. Safety training is one of those topics that you need to retain in order for it to be effective. What would be the point of completing the course and immediately forgetting everything you learn? Your health and safety literally depends on your ability to retain the information relayed by the course, which is much more likely if you are actively completing the assessments and being involved in the learning process. Our user friendly interface is also state of the art and designed to hold your attention while relaying the safety information necessary to stay safe on the construction site.

 

 

White Card Update: Addressing Bullying From Senior Staff

Employers should understand the importance of addressing bullying in the workplace but we need to recognise that bullying doesn’t always occur horizontally, between employees or colleagues, bullying can also occur from the top down.

A recent case which took place at Mount Thorley is an example of bullying from senior staff down to lower level employees.

Mine workers at the Mount Thorley Warkworth mine have alleged that they were bullied and harassed by senior staff at the mine and have lodged complaints against the supervisors in production and maintenance areas of the mine.

The CFMEU has lodged complaints on behalf of the 8 employees who claim that their supervisors at the mind had bullied them. The complaints have been lodged at the NSW Department of Trade and Investment mine safety office.

The CFMEUs union district president Peter Jordan reiterated that no workers should ever be bullied in the workplace and it is important that we take all bullying and harassment complaints seriously but even more so when it comes from eight separate employees within a single workplace.

Jordan explained that it was unusual for complaints to be lodged against supervisors from so many workers at the mine, usually individual members would lodge complaints against other workers at other mines.

A spokesperson from Mount Thorley Warkworth recently said in a statement:

Mount Thorley Warkworth mine workers claim bullying Newcastle Herald“Mine safety operation inspectors are investigating under the Work Health and Safety Act,” the spokesman said.

“They have recommended that the company form a panel to further investigate the allegations, resolve the issue and report back to the inspectors.”

Source: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2381727/mount-thorley-warkworth-mine-workers-claim-bullying/

 

A panel consisting of Rio Tinto representatives and a CFMEU mine site check inspector will be considering the case within the next few weeks. According to a spokesperson from the mine, the company had clear standards which upheld the rights of all employees but other companies can save themselves this kind of problem by educating employees including management about bullying and monitoring the situation on worksites regularly. Employers should never wait until the situation gets out of hand before addressing the problem, especially when there are a number of workers making the same complaints. Ignoring even one complaint is bad enough, but when it takes 8 workers lodging complaints for action to be taken, the situation is out of hand.

Not only do allegations such as this one affect the corporate image of a company, it affects productivity and as research has proven bullying costs companies in Oz billions of dollars every year.

A survey conducted by Drake International earlier this year which questioned 800 employees revealed that half of them had witnessed bullying in the workplace and at least 25 per cent had actually been victims of bullying themselves. Much of this bullying occurs from the top down and employers have a financial incentive to address this type of behaviour before it affects workplace productivity and the company’s bottom line.

White Card Update: Safety Tips for Construction Drill Usage

It seems that one of the most widely utilised yet incorrectly utilised tools in the construction and building sector is the simple drill. Often it is the most commonly used items that are abused and those tools which we tend to operate on a daily basis are those which we develop bad habits when working with.

While the construction sector is one of the most dangerous, recording a lot of injuries across the country, many of these injuries are so called “minor” injuries or those which aren’t life threatening such as musculoskeletal injuries, minor cuts and bruises etc. Even though drill use is perceived as a simple task which doesn’t require much brain work, if you fail to adhere to the safety precautions required for safe drill usage, you can sustain minor or even more serious, life threatening but totally preventable injuries.

Here we discuss a few Drill Safety Tips to refresh your memory about best drill practice.

Those in the construction field need to keep in mind that it is up to the employer to train all employees on how to use them safely and correctly.

There are different types of drills which are utilised in the construction sector and each presents its own risks and safety control measures. The most commonly utilised on building sites are Drill Presses and Hand Held Drills.

Working with Hand Held Drills

Hand held drills are common even in private residences, so because of their commonality many people incorrectly assume that they aren’t dangerous. Any tool can be dangerous if it is improperly utilised and hand held drills are no different.

In fact hand held drills can actually present even greater risks than other types of drills because it is portable. Because hand held drills are not stationary, they are often more versatile than a standard drill press but this portability also presents its risks. Therefore workers must be educated on how to safely use a hand held drill.

  • Although it may seem unnecessary ensure that workers have received the necessary safety training to undertake work with any tool including a drill. Also make sure they read and understand the drill’s manual before they use it for the first time.
  • A danger to workers presented by work with any electric power tool is that they may be electrocuted. Drills with cords should be inspected to ensure they aren’t damaged. The plug should be checked for cuts, fraying or tearing and should not be used if any of these are discovered.
  • Another common malpractice when it comes to hand held drill usage is that workers set it down for a minute without turning it off. Every time the drill leaves your hands it should be turned off. Also never walk around with a drill that is turned on.
  • Ensure that the drill bits being used are made for the use in that drill and fit perfectly. If the drill bit is made for other drills it may not fit correctly. Also ensure the drill is turned off before you replace drill bits.
  • Don’t forget the use of Personal protective equipment. Goggles should be worn when working with a drill to protect your eyes from dust, wood, drill bits etc.

Tips for Drill Press Safety

The use of a drill press is common in a number of trades and commercially they are given preference over hand held drills because they tend to be more accurate. It also allows the user to have more control over the piece they are working with because it is built in to the table and has clamps to give complete control to the operator. But like handheld drills they can present a risk and need to be used safely.

  • Like hand held drills workers should begin by ensuring that the drill isn’t damaged. Inspect the tool and if it is in good order you can proceed.
  • During your inspection, also check the clamps and the table that the drill is attached to. If there are any cracks of breaks don’t use the drill. Also ensure that the clamps are properly secured and immovable. Also check the guards and covered before starting the drill.
  • Don’t operate a drill press while wearing loose, baggy, flowing items of clothing or anything that can get caught. Remove your jewellery and ensure that your long hair has been tied back and away from the machine.
  • Don’t improvise when it comes to drill bits. If the bit hasn’t been made for the drill you’re using, don’t use it.
  • Ensure that before you begin drilling, whatever you are working with has been tightly secured with clamps.
  • Always keep your extremities at least 3 inches away from the drill bit.
  • If you walk away ensure it has been turned off and avoid distractions while the drill is in use.

 

White Card Update: No Workplace Deaths for Construction Industry this Year

As at 26 January 2014, 22 Australian workers have died at work, none of these fatalities however have come from the construction industry.

According to Safe Work Australia, responsible for recording work fatality and injury, updating statistics and preparing reports, the number of workers who lost their lives this year so far is 22.

The construction industry has showed significant improvement from previous years, and although we are still in the early months of 2014, as compared with previous years, we are doing well.

At this time in 2012, 25 construction workers had been fatally wounded and in 2013 the number was 19. This year the number is at zero, which shows that the efforts being made to improve safety on construction sites are paying off.

What makes these figures even more impressive is the fact that since September last year activity in the construction sector has significantly grown, nationally. Usually an increase in activity corresponds with an increase in injuries and fatalities as workers and construction companies scramble to improve productivity however this year, that is thankfully not the case.

Construction companies as well as workers need to be commended on their commitment to safety which has brought about this result. However we should not become complacent about safety just because we have experienced a good year so far. We need to ensure we end 2014 as well as we started it.

What it takes to maintain a Good Safety Record

While many companies have the tendency to start off the year on a high note by addressing safety issues, not many are able to maintain these high safety records indefinitely. Perhaps this is due to the complacent attitude that sometimes sets in over time or it could be as a result of the pressure to get work done quickly that forces workers and employers to push for productivity at the cost of safety? Whatever the reason, it is important that we retain safety as a main priority throughout the year and at every stage of the construction process.

  1. Training

The key to ensuring that all workers on site are safety minded is by providing them with the necessary safety training.

Laying the foundation is the most important part of any building project because without a good foundation, you have nothing to build a strong structure upon. The same is true for a culture of safety on a work site. It is important to lay the foundation of safety knowledge by ensuring that every worker on site has completed General Construction Induction Training and is therefore in possession of a White Card. Even workers who aren’t directly involved in the building process but are regularly on site must complete this training.

In addition to general safety training, employers must also provide workers with additional site specific training so that they can become familiar with the safety issues relevant to the work site as well as the control measures to overcome hazards as planned by management.

Any additional training a worker may need must also be provided depending on the work being undertaken, sites unique features etc.

  1. Identifying Hazards and Assessing the Risks

There are certain aspects that should be considered when identifying the hazards such as taking into consideration the construction workplace itself including its location, layout, condition, operations being undertaken and accessibility.

Once the hazards have each been identified it is important that the risks associated with them are assessed. Assessing the risks on sites as well as developing Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are all part of an employer/contractors responsibility under the law. Employers should understand the risks associated with each hazard in order to eliminate, minimise or control them adequately.

After a risk assessment is conducted, action should be taken to control the risks by implementing the necessary control measures. Not all control measures are equal, and the best control will be one that eliminates the hazard completely. This is not always feasible and the next best control measure will minimise the risks associated with the hazard. The least effective controls involve implementing safe work practices and introducing personal protective equipment to the work environment.

Once control measures have been implemented, they will likely be effective but as the construction develops and the site changes etc. this is likely to change and control measures may not be as effective as they once were. That is why it is important to Review the control measures implemented regularly to ensure their continued effectiveness.

  1. Maintain Good, Open Communication

Employers should design a communication plan to ensure that communication is effectively handled on site and is an on-going process. Good communication does not end at the same time as safety training, it should be a daily process and should be two-way, not just from employers to workers.

Workers must be allowed and encouraged to freely communicate with management about issues, safety concerns etc. because they have first-hand experience with hazards at ground level and can be a valuable resource in enforcing site safety.

Another aspect of communication that is just as important as the daily verbal communication is the written communication between employers and workers. Workers can refer back to written resources at any time when they have a problem or a query and cannot speak to a supervisor immediately. Employers should therefore provide workers with written material in language that is clear, concise, simple and should have pictures that illustrate the safety message.