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Follow safe work practices.
The potential for injury is always present in the construction industry. Because so many processes and different types of machinery and equipment are utilised at every stage of the construction sequence, employers and employees must always observe and assess the level of risk. This need to assess risk is necessary for future tasks as well as tasks or sequences of tasks in a current construction job.
It is important everyone involved in the construction industry is aware of the physical, chemical, mental and biological risks inherent in the industry. They must also understand the human, social, economic and organisational cost workplace injuries place on the individual and the community.
Employers are legally responsible for providing workers with the information, instruction, appropriate supervision and training needed for them to do their jobs safely. This must be provided in a language or format appropriate for the worker. The responsibility for health and safety at work must not only be addressed by the employer. It is also shared by everyone in the workplace, including:
- employers
- managers/supervisors
- subcontractors
- self employed people
- suppliers
- prefabricators
- employees
- visitors.
The term Occupational Health and Safety covers a broad range of workplace concepts and practices. State and federal laws aim to improve workplace health and safety, ensuring workplace and work-related injuries are reduced. This will improve the health and wellbeing of workers and their families. To ensure that safe work practices are followed, construction workers should ensure they are familiar with the relevant legislation and how it affects them directly and indirectly. They must also develop a basic awareness of the difference between legislation, regulation and the industry codes of practice, and be aware of ongoing changes.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000
The objects of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 
are
to:
- secure and promote the health, safety and welfare of people at work
- protect people against workplace health and safety risks
- provide for consultation and cooperation between employers and workers in achieving the objects of the Act
- ensure that risks are identified, assessed and eliminated or controlled
- develop and promote community awareness of Occupational Health and Safety issues
- provide a legislative framework that allows for progressively higher standards of Occupational Health and Safety to take account of new technologies and work practices
- protect people against risks arising from the use of plant (ie. machinery, equipment or appliances).
Codes of practice
Industry codes of practice provide practical guidance and advice on how to
achieve the standard required by the Act and regulation. Codes of practice
are developed through consultation with representatives from industry, workers
and employers, special interest groups and government agencies.
Codes of practice are made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act
2000 and must be approved by the Minister for Commerce before they come
into effect.
A code of practice is not law, but it should be followed unless there is an
alternative course of action that achieves the same or better standards.
Employers, workers, designers, manufacturers and suppliers should use the code
of practice in conjunction with the Act and regulation.
Evidence of failure to observe an industry code of practice may be used as
evidence in proceedings for an offence under the Act. However, a person is
not liable simply because of a failure to observe the code.
To correct an alleged breach of the Act or regulation, a person or organisation
must follow the advice and information provided in the code of practice if
directed by a WorkCover inspector.
For a complete list of codes of practice go to the Law and Policy section
of the WorkCover website .
Safe work practices
Whenever a construction procedure is to be undertaken, whether it is using a simple electric hand drill or a more complicated rock drill (eg rotary Kango hammer) a plan must be put in place to ensure safe work practices are followed. Included in this plan must be an identification of the risks that may arise whilst carrying out the procedure.
Because employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment, it is important that they develop safe systems of work and that supervision is provided to ensure that these systems are followed by the employees or others under the responsibility of the employer.
One way to ensure the safe use of equipment and to identify potential risks is to use a “Work Method Statement” (WMS).
Click here to see blank and completed Work Method Statements (WMS) in BCGCM1003B Plan and organise work. The completed WMS relate to a school based project for a picnic table laid on a concrete slab:
Work
Method Statement blank PDF
Work
Method Statement (Part 1) PDF
Work
Method Statement (Part 2) PDF
Work
Method Statement (Part 1) blank PDF
Work
Method Statement contractor blank PDF
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