Much has been talked and written on the employers legal responsibilities under the OHS acts and regulations; however to the average contractor (small to medium size contractor) in the Australian construction industry neither have the knowledge or time to understand what it all means for them.
This article will help you to understand in a nut shell the elements of good practices so that you can play by the rules (comply with OHS regulations) and at the same time safeguard the health and safety of your employees, subcontractors and visitors to your worksite.
Risk assessment
Before you commence works on site you need to conduct a site risk assessment by:
• Identifying all potential hazards on site,
• Assessing the risks that those hazards may pose if not controlled, and
• Implement safety controls to eliminate or at least minimise those risks
It is recommended that the process of risk assessment is done by the team that is going to carry out the works.
Safety procedures
You need to develop safety procedures also known as safe work method statements or job safety analysis for all activities to be carried out on the particular project. The safety procedures are to be specific for the project and you need to include on it the hazards and controls identified in the risk assessment process.
Site induction
Ensure that everyone who is going to work on the site is site-inducted on the finding of the risk assessment process and the site safety rules just before they start working on the site. At this point it is a good time to check for their general OHS induction card and any other specific training or competency required by their trade or legislation.
You also need to train your team in the safety procedures; you can toolbox them on the safety procedures and agree with them on the safety controls.
OHS inspections
To monitor the effectiveness and performance of safety controls in place you need to conduct regular self check OHS inspections to your site.
A good practice to implement the items discussed above is to have documented a Construction safety management plan every time you deliver a project.
By: Martin Sejas
About the Author:
This article will help you to understand in a nut shell the elements of good practices so that you can play by the rules (comply with OHS regulations) and at the same time safeguard the health and safety of your employees, subcontractors and visitors to your worksite.
Risk assessment
Before you commence works on site you need to conduct a site risk assessment by:
• Identifying all potential hazards on site,
• Assessing the risks that those hazards may pose if not controlled, and
• Implement safety controls to eliminate or at least minimise those risks
It is recommended that the process of risk assessment is done by the team that is going to carry out the works.
Safety procedures
You need to develop safety procedures also known as safe work method statements or job safety analysis for all activities to be carried out on the particular project. The safety procedures are to be specific for the project and you need to include on it the hazards and controls identified in the risk assessment process.
Site induction
Ensure that everyone who is going to work on the site is site-inducted on the finding of the risk assessment process and the site safety rules just before they start working on the site. At this point it is a good time to check for their general OHS induction card and any other specific training or competency required by their trade or legislation.
You also need to train your team in the safety procedures; you can toolbox them on the safety procedures and agree with them on the safety controls.
OHS inspections
To monitor the effectiveness and performance of safety controls in place you need to conduct regular self check OHS inspections to your site.
A good practice to implement the items discussed above is to have documented a Construction safety management plan every time you deliver a project.
By: Martin Sejas
About the Author:
Ensafe Planning Solutions is an Australian-based company providing professionally written & structured construction safety plans for small and medium sized contractors in the Australian construction industry. Download your own construction safety plan today from our website today.
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