Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CONSTRUCTION WORK
Draft
Code of Practice
FOREWORD.................................................................................................................................... 4
SCOPE AND APPLICATION...........................................................................................................4
1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 What is construction work? 5
1.2 Who has duties relating to construction work? 7
1.3 What is involved in managing risks relating to construction work? 10
2. MANAGING RISKS WITH CONSTRUCTION WORK............................................................12
2.1 Identify the hazards 12
2.2 Assess the risks 12
2.3 Control the risks 13
2.4 Review control measures 14
3. SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENTS.................................................................................16
3.1 What is a safe work method statement? 16
3.2 Preparing a safe work method statement 17
3.3 Implementing a safe work method statement 18
3.4 Reviewing a safe work method statement 19
4. WHS MANAGEMENT PLANS................................................................................................21
4.1 What is a WHS management plan? 21
4.2 Preparing a WHS management plan 21
4.3 Implementing the WHS management plan 21
4.4 Reviewing and revising a WHS management plan 22
5. LICENCES.............................................................................................................................. 23
5.1 High risk work 23
5.2 Other licences 23
6. INFORMATION, TRAINING, INSTRUCTION AND SUPERVISION........................................25
6.1 General construction induction training 25
6.2 Workplace specific training 26
6.3 Other training 26
6.4 Supervision 27
7. FACILITIES AND THE WORK ENVIRONMENT.....................................................................28
7.1 Facilities at a construction workplace28
7.2 The work environment 29
7.3 Emergency plan 31
8. CONTROLLING RISKS IN CONSTRUCTION WORK............................................................32
8.1 Falls and falling objects 32
8.2 Traffic management 37
8.3 Essential services 38
8.4 Hazardous manual tasks 39
8.5 Hazardous chemicals 40
8.6 Asbestos 44
8.7 Confined spaces 46
8.8 Public access and workplace security 47
8.9 Electricity 48
8.10Plant 48
8.11Noise 50
8.12Steel construction 51
An approved code of practice is a practical guide to achieving the standards of health, safety and
welfare required under the WHS Act and the Work Health and Safety Regulations (the WHS
Regulations).
A code of practice applies to anyone who has a duty of care in the circumstances described in the
code. In most cases, following an approved code of practice would achieve compliance with the
health and safety duties in the WHS Act, in relation to the subject matter of the code. Like
regulations, codes of practice deal with particular issues and do not cover all hazards or risks
which may arise. The health and safety duties require duty holders to consider all risks associated
with work, not only those for which regulations and codes of practice exist.
Codes of practice are admissible in court proceedings under the WHS Act and Regulations. Courts
may regard a code of practice as evidence of what is known about a hazard, risk or control and
may rely on the code in determining what is reasonably practicable in the circumstances to which
the code relates.
Compliance with the WHS Act and Regulations may be achieved by following another method,
such as a technical or an industry standard, if it provides an equivalent or higher standard of work
health and safety than the code.
This Code of Practice has been developed by Safe Work Australia as a model code of practice
under the Council of Australian Governments Inter-Governmental Agreement for Regulatory and
Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety for adoption by the Commonwealth, state
and territory governments.
A draft of this Code of Practice was released for public consultation on 26 September 2011 and
was endorsed by the Select Council on Workplace Relations on [to be completed].
This Code also includes various references to provisions of the WHS Act and Regulations which
set out the legal requirements. These references are not exhaustive. The words must, requires or
mandatory indicate that a legal requirement exists and must be complied with.
What is a structure?
A structure is defined under the WHS Act as anything that is constructed, whether fixed or
moveable, temporary or permanent, and includes:
buildings, masts, towers, framework, pipelines, transport infrastructure and underground
works (shafts or tunnels)
any component of a structure, and
part of a structure.
There are specific duties for high risk construction work, for example, a safe work method
statement must be prepared. These duties are outlined in Chapter 3 of this Code.
A construction project covers all the activities involved in the construction work.
The WHS Regulations also require a person conducting a business or undertaking to carry out
specific duties for high risk construction work which include:
before the work commences, ensuring a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for the
proposed work is prepared, or that it has already been prepared by another person, in
accordance with the WHS Regulations
putting in place arrangements to ensure that work is carried out in accordance with the
SWMS
stopping the work immediately (or as soon as it is safe to do so) if it is not carried out in
accordance with the SWMS and only resumed as per the details in the SWMS
if the work is in connection with a construction project, a SWMS must be given to the
principal contractor before the work commences
ensuring the SWMS is reviewed and as necessary revised if relevant control measures are
revised
ensuring the SWMS is kept and is readily available for inspection as specified in the WHS
Regulations, and
ensuring a copy of the SWMS is made available to any worker engaged by the person
conducting a business or undertaking to carry out high risk construction work.
Information on preparing SWMS can be found in Chapter 3 and Appendices E & F of this Code.
Designer
A designer is a person conducting a business or undertaking that designs a structure (or plant or
substance) that is to be used, or could reasonably be expected to be used, as or at a workplace.
There may be multiple designers involved in the design of a structure and have the same duties,
for example, architects, civil engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, structural
engineers and hydraulic engineers.
Principal contractor
If the owner of residential premises is an individual (that is, they are not a person conducting a
business or undertaking) who directly or indirectly engages a person conducting a business or
undertaking to carry out a construction project in relation to the premises, the person engaged is
the principal contractor if they have management or control of the workplace.
There are a number of duties the principal contractor has under the WHS Regulations. These are:
For WHS management plans, the principal contractor must:
o prepare a written WHS management plan for the workplace before work on the project
commences
o ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that each person who is to carry out
construction on the project is made aware of the WHS management plan and their right
to inspect it before commencing work
o review and revise the WHS management plan to ensure it remains up-to-date
o ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, each person carrying out construction work
in connection with the project is made aware of any revision to the WHS management
plan, and
o ensure a copy of the WHS management plan for the project is kept until completion and
is made available as specified in the WHS Regulations.
Contractors and subcontractors have the duties of a person conducting a business or undertaking,
including for high risk construction work (see Chapter 3 of this Code).
Officers
Officers, such as company directors, have a duty to exercise due diligence to ensure that the
business or undertaking complies with their duties and obligations. This includes taking reasonable
steps to ensure that the business or undertaking has and uses appropriate resources and
processes to eliminate or minimise risks that arise from the construction work.
Workers
Workers have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and must not
adversely affect the health and safety of other persons. Workers must comply with any reasonable
instruction and cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure relating to health and safety at
the workplace.
This Code provides guidance on how to manage the risks associated with construction work by
following a systematic process that involves:
identifying hazards
if necessary, assessing the risks associated with these hazards
implementing risk control measures, and
maintaining and reviewing the effectiveness of risk control measures.
If the workers are represented by a health and safety representative, the consultation must involve
that representative.
A person conducting a business or undertaking must consult with workers (including contractors
and subcontractors) and their health and safety representatives about health and safety matters.
By drawing on their experience, knowledge and ideas, hazards are more likely to be identified and
effective risk controls developed.
A principal contractor for a construction project must consult, so far as is reasonably practicable,
with all workers who are (or are likely to be) directly affected by a matter relating to work health or
safety.
In many cases, decisions about construction work and projects are made prior to engaging
workers, therefore, it may not be possible to consult with workers in these early stages. However, it
is important to consult with them as the work or project progresses.
Specific guidance on consultation is available in the Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety
Consultation, Co-operation and Co-ordination.
A person conducting a business or undertaking should also ensure there are effective procedures
in place to identify and record hazards:
before and during the installation, erection, commissioning or alteration of plant
before changes to systems of work are introduced or a significant change to the
construction workplace, or a part of it, is implemented
before hazardous substances are introduced, and
when new or additional occupational safety and health information from an authoritative
source becomes available - for example, national standards or codes of practice, guidance
material produced by a regulatory authority, industry codes of practice or information from
manufacturers, suppliers or designers.
A risk assessment is not necessary if the risk and how to control it is already known.
If elimination of the risk is not reasonably practicable, you must consider using substitution,
isolation or engineering risk controls, or a combination of these controls, to minimise the risk.
Isolation
Minimise the risk by isolating or separating the hazard or hazardous work practice from people
involved in the work or other people at the workplace. For example, isolating a mobile plant work
zone from workers and/or the public with physical barriers will minimise the risk of contact
occurring between a person and the mobile plant.
Engineering Controls
Use an engineering control to minimise the risk if the physical characteristics of the plant, structure
or work area are hazardous. For example:
Benching, battering or shoring the sides of the excavation will minimise the risk of a person
being trapped and prevent the excavation from collapsing.
By enclosing an open cab excavator, for example, using a falling objects protection
structure (FOPS) will minimise the risk of an operator being struck by a falling object or
being crushed if the excavator rolls over.
Administrative Controls
These are work practices that minimise the risk, such as ensuring there is no unauthorised entry of
a person to a work area thus preventing them from being exposed to a particular hazard. For
example:
PPE relies on a persons behaviour and the proper fit and use of the PPE and does nothing to
change the hazard itself. It therefore requires thorough training and effective supervision to ensure
compliance and effectiveness. For example:
Provide workers with long sleeved shirts and trousers, wide brimmed hat (where hard hats
are required then it should be a hard hat brim or neck flap), sunglasses and sun screen to
minimise the exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Provide workers with ear plugs, ear muffs or other PPE when they are near or operating
noisy machinery and powered tools to minimise the exposure to excessive noise.
When selecting and implementing a combination of risk controls it is important to consider whether
any new risks might be introduced as a result and, if so, the combination of risk controls should be
reviewed.
There are a range of hazards and risks common to construction work, including noise, hazardous
manual tasks and hazardous chemicals. Further information on these common hazards and risk
controls is provided in Chapter 8, Appendix C and G of this Code.
When reviewing control measures, a SWMS and the WHS management plan must also be
reviewed and revised where necessary.
A safe work method statement (SWMS) must be prepared for any and all high risk construction
work to be undertaken prior to the work commencing.
A SWMS must be clearly set out, easy to understand and readily accessible so the risk control
measures can be implemented and monitored.
A SWMS is not a work health and safety (WHS) management plan although a SWMS can form
part of a WHS management plan. A SWMS should not, for example, include workplace
management arrangements or describe general safety procedures or task procedures.
A SWMS should include the specific risk controls that must be implemented to manage the risks for
the proposed high risk construction work activity (for example, the need to complete a confined
space entry permit). Note that a SWMS must deal with the specific hazards and risks at the
workplace where the high risk construction work is being undertaken.
An example of a basic SWMS template that may be most suited to small to medium sized
businesses is included in Appendix E. Other SWMS formats can be used and larger organisations
may integrate SWMS requirements into their documented WHS management system. That is, as
long as there is a documented SWMS that meets the requirements of the WHS Regulations it can
be prepared in any suitable format.
A person conducting a business or undertaking, in consultation with workers who will be directly
engaged in the high risk construction work, should prepare a SWMS as they are often best placed
to:
understand the work being carried out and the workers undertaking the work, and
ensure the SWMS is correctly implemented, monitored and reviewed.
Alternatively, a separate SWMS can be prepared for each type of high risk construction work. In
this case, thought must be given to situations where the different types of work activities may
impact on each other, in terms of potential inconsistencies between different risk control measures.
It is up to the principal contractor to coordinate work activities and eliminate these inconsistencies.
For example, if a principal contractor engages a contractor to carry out demolition work and that
contractor engages a subcontractor to carry out part of the demolition using explosives:
the principal contractor must ensure a SWMS has been prepared for all high risk
construction work being carried out including the demolition and explosives work
the contractor must ensure a SWMS has been prepared for the demolition and explosives
work, and
the explosives subcontractor must ensure a SWMS has been prepared for the work
involving explosives.
In the above example multiple SWMS may be prepared. To avoid different and inconsistent SWMS
being developed, consultation must occur to the extent necessary that all persons agree either:
one SWMS for all the demolition work that involves high risk construction work, or
a suite of SWMS that is compatible and consistent.
Workers and their health and safety representatives should be consulted in the preparation of the
SWMS. If there are no workers engaged at the planning stage, consultation should occur during
worker construction induction training, when the SWMS is first made available to workers, or when
it is reviewed.
The content of a SWMS should provide clear direction on the risk controls to be implemented.
There should be no statements that require a decision to be made by supervisors or workers. For
example, the statement, use appropriate personal protective equipment does not detail the risk
control. The control measures should be clearly specified and the example of a completed SWMS
template in Appendix F illustrates how this may be done.
If the principal contractor is not aware of the content of the SWMS then they will not be able to
comply with their duties. The WHS management plan will also provide details of how the SWMS
should be provided to the principal contractor.
If the work is not being carried out in accordance with the SWMS, then the work must stop
immediately or as soon as it is safe to do so. Work must not resume until the work can be carried
out in accordance with the SWMS.
Supervision
A person conducting a business or undertaking who directly engages workers in high risk
construction work must ensure that workers in a supervisory role (for example, leading hand,
foreman, supervisor) are provided with the training to understand and implement SWMS and the
authority to ensure the work is carried out in accordance with the SWMS.
For example, this information and instruction may be provided during workplace induction training
or during a toolbox talk by principal contractor, contractor or subcontractor.
The SWMS must be kept at the workplace where the high risk construction work will be carried out.
If this is not possible, then the SWMS should be kept at a location where it can be delivered to the
workplace promptly.
If a notifiable incident occurs in connection with the high-risk construction work to which the SWMS
relates then the SWMS must be kept for at least 2 years from the occurrence of the notifiable
incident. If the construction work at the workplace has ceased within that period then the person
conducting a business or undertaking should keep the SWMS available for inspection at its offices.
The review process must be carried out in consultation with contractors, subcontractors, workers
and their health and safety representatives at the workplace.
When a SWMS has been revised the person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure all
persons involved with the high risk construction work are advised that a revision has been made
and how they can access the revised SWMS. The person conducting a business or undertaking
must provide a copy of the revised SWMS to the principal contractor if the work is being carried out
at a construction project.
The person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure all workers that will be involved the
high risk construction work are provided with whatever information and instruction may be required
to ensure they understand and implement the revised controls in a SWMS.
The WHS management plan must be in writing and easy to understand by contractors,
subcontractors and workers. It must be able to be communicated and understood to the extent that
it is applicable to their work.
The intention of a WHS management plan is to ensure the risks associated with a complex
construction project, particularly relating to the interaction and coordination of a number of
contractors and subcontractors, are effectively managed.
The principal contractor must make the WHS management plan available to all persons working on
the construction project and discuss the parts that will affect them including workers, contractors,
subcontractors, project managers, architects, engineers.
The principal contractor should establish a process to collect, assess, monitor and review SWMS
to ensure work being undertaken does not conflict with risk controls being used by other
contractors or subcontractors working in the same location or create additional risks for other
workers.
If a notifiable incident occurs during the project then the WHS management plan will need to be
available for at least 2 years from the occurrence of the notifiable incident. If the construction
project has ceased within that period then the principal contractor should keep the WHS
management plan available for inspection at its offices.
The review process should be undertaken in consultation with contractors, subcontractors and
workers at the workplace.
Following the revision of a WHS management plan, if a process has changed, the principal
contractor must ensure that all affected persons are advised of the revision so they can implement
their duties consistently with the revised plan. This can be achieved by providing the revisions in
writing to contractors and holding face to face toolbox meetings.
The table below summarises the duties that apply to high risk work licences.
Person Must not direct or allow a person to carry out work at a workplace if the
conducting a person is not licensed in accordance with the WHS Regulations.
business or Must ensure that a person supervising the work of a person carrying out
undertaking high risk work provides direct supervision of the person except in the
circumstances set out in sub regulation 84(2).
Worker Must not carry out a class of high risk work unless the person holds a high
risk work licence for that class of high risk work.
Must keep the licence document available for inspection by an inspector
under the WHS Act.
Construction work can include a range of classes of high risk work. For example, the following
plant can only be operated by a person holding a current high risk work licence:
any tower crane, including self-erecting tower cranes
non-slewing mobile cranes with a lifting capacity of more than 3 tonnes
any slewing mobile cranes
any concrete placing boom
boom-type elevating work platforms, where the length of the boom is 11 metres or more
personnel and/or materials hoists, and
forklift trucks.
Other construction work that requires a person with a high risk work licence includes:
the erection and maintenance of a scaffold that exceeds 4 metres in height, and
rigging and dogging work.
Note that while some construction work may require a person with a high risk work licence, most
activities only require competent, trained workers who hold a current general (construction)
induction card (see Chapter 6 of this Code).
There are two types of licences: Class A and Class B. The type of licence required will depend on
the type and quantity of asbestos or asbestos containing materials (ACM) or asbestos
contaminated dust or debris (ACD) that is being removed at a workplace.
Further information on the duties associated when removing asbestos can be found in the Code of
Practice: How to Safely Remove Asbestos.
Explosives
Explosives can only be used by a competent person who is licensed in the use of explosives and
has experience in the work to be undertaken.
All possession, storage, handling and use of explosives must be carried out in compliance with the
relevant dangerous substances/goods or explosives legislation applicable in your state or territory.
The transport of explosives must be in accordance with the Australian Code for the Transport of
Explosives by Road and Rail.
Any construction work that involves the use of explosives is defined by the WHS Regulations as
high risk construction work and a SWMS must be prepared before this work commences.
Demolition
A licence is required to undertake some demolition work but the specific requirements vary
between the states and territories. Demolition licensing will be managed nationally by the National
Occupational Licensing Authority (NOLA) but until this transition occurs, demolition licensing must
be completed in accordance with the relevant legislation applicable in your state or territory.
Trades
Building occupational licensing, such as for plumbing and electrical work, will also be managed
nationally by NOLA.
In some instances, the transition to the national licensing arrangements for building occupations
still to occur and in these cases occupational licensing must be completed in accordance with the
relevant legislation applicable in your state or territory.
This means that a range of activities may need to be completed to ensure people have the
necessary knowledge and skills to complete the work safely, including general construction
induction training and other training that may be specific to the workplace or the task the person is
performing.
Information that might be provided includes workplace health and safety arrangements and
procedures, including for emergency evacuations. Information can be provided in various forms,
including written formats or verbally, for example, during workplace specific inductions, pre-start
meetings or toolbox talks.
Often information and instruction are provided at the same time. In addition, supervisors will
provide specific workplace instructions during the work, including for health and safety.
Supervisors need to be aware of and provide the level of supervision necessary to ensure the
health and safety of workers, including assessing workers competency to undertake the work.
Any person who is to undertake construction work must successfully complete general construction
induction training for example, project managers and engineers, architects, foreman, supervisors,
surveyors, labourers and trades persons. There may also be other people who would benefit from
completing general construction induction training so they are aware of the hazards and risk
controls at the workplace, for example:
persons who access construction workplaces unaccompanied or are not directly supervised
by a person with a general construction induction card, and
persons whose work causes them to routinely enter construction workplaces.
Construction workers must keep their card available for inspection by an inspector. They will also
need to provide their card to the person conducting a business or undertaking that engages them
so they can be sure the worker has successfully completed the training.
If a worker has applied for a general construction induction training card and has not been notified
of the decision on the application, the certificate is only valid for 60 days. If the worker receives a
cancellation notice, they must return the card as requested in the notice.
All workers and other persons visiting the workplace should attend workplace specific training so
they can become aware of procedures, management and reporting arrangements as well as other
issues that are relevant to a particular construction workplace.
Where there are several persons conducting a business or undertaking share duties at a
construction workplace, consultation, cooperation and coordination must occur to ensure workers
are informed of and understand the procedures and arrangements for the workplace.
If task specific training is conducted, it should be developed for the specific task and regularly
reviewed and updated whenever there are changes to the task, processes, systems of work, plant
and substances that may affect health and safety.
6.4 Supervision
Adequate supervision must be provided, particularly where workers are unfamiliar with the site or
the nature of the work.
Workers in a supervisory role (for example, leading hand or foreman) should be trained and
authorised to ensure the work is carried out in accordance with relevant SWMS.
The table below summarises duties of a person conducting a business or undertaking to provide
facilities at the workplace.
Note: Toilets, washing and shower facilities should not be used for any other purposes for example,
storing of dangerous goods.
The table in Appendix I provides examples of some common construction workplaces and the
facilities that might be suitable for these workplaces.
First aid
All workplaces must have first aid provisions in case of injury or illness. All construction workplaces
should have access to a trained first aider. First aid staff should be familiar with the specific
conditions and hazards at the construction workplace and the types of injuries likely to occur.
The principal contractor must put in place arrangements for ensuring compliance with the
requirement to provide first aid at the construction project workplace. How the principal contractor
intends to ensures compliance should be detailed in the WHS management plan.
When considering first aid provisions for a workplace, including the number of and training
requirements for first aiders, the person conducting a business or undertaking and/or the principal
contractor, should take into account the:
nature of the work and the workplace hazards
size and location of the workplace, and
number and occupations of the workers and other people.
A construction workplace where high risk construction work is undertaken should be considered to
be a high risk workplace. In these high-risk construction workplaces or environments, it may be
appropriate to employ specific occupational health professionals or services.
Further guidance on how to provide first aid is available at the [draft] Code of Practice: First Aid in
the Workplace.
Housekeeping
As untidy workplace can cause injuries good housekeeping practices are essential to ensure a
safe workplace. For example:
the entry, exits and access ways in the workplace are kept clean and clear of materials and
waste
a safe system implemented for collecting, storing and disposing of excess or waste
materials
enough area is allocated to safely store materials or plant for the construction work, and
Principal contractors must also ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the storage, movement
and disposal of construction materials and waste at the workplace are without risks to health and
safety. This should be considered when preparing a WHS management plan.
Work areas
Work areas need to be clearly identified and separated as necessary so that work can be
undertaken safely. Vehicle, plant and pedestrian traffic in the workplace need to be controlled
through signage, physical barriers and/or traffic controllers.
Where there is risk of falling objects, exclusion zones may need to be created to prevent
unauthorised people entering the work area and being put at risk.
Consideration will need to be given to the surface slope, profile and how workers carry out work on
the surface. Dust, moisture and the materials from which the surface is constructed will also
present hazards to workers and the placement of materials and equipment. Surfaces should be
inspected regularly and maintained to eliminate or minimise slip and trip hazards.
Lighting
Sufficient lighting, whether it is from a natural or artificial source must be provided to allow safe
movement around the workplace so workers can perform their job safely.
Hypothermia arises when a person gets an abnormally low body temperature as a result of
exposure to cold environments and wind chill on exposed skin. The symptoms of exposure to
extreme cold include numbness in hands or fingers, uncontrolled shivering, loss of fine motor skills
and slurred speech and difficulty thinking clearly.
Both of these conditions are potentially fatal. If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate
exposure to heat and cold, risks can be minimised with a range of control measures. For example,
in hot work environments consider installing shade structures, fans, air-conditioners, evaporative
coolers, task rotation and rest breaks, or isolating workers from heat. Make sure that workers have
access to adequate, cool, clean water.
In cold work environments, consider providing localised heating, protection from wind and rain or
task rotation and rest breaks for workers. These practices will allow a workers body temperature to
return to its normal level before recommencing activities.
Outdoor work
The emergency procedures in the emergency plan must clearly explain how to respond in various
types of emergency, including how to evacuate people from the workplace in a controlled manner.
Contact numbers for emergency services should be prominently displayed.
A reliable and effective means of communication should be established between all work areas,
and persons involved to permit and ensure effective evacuation of danger areas.
Rescue equipment for the prompt removal of an injured worker, as well as a communication
system to contact any necessary emergency services, should be available and readily accessible
at the workplace.
Evacuation procedures should be established and communicated to all workers and may include:
a warning system
safe and rapid evacuation procedures, including for injured persons
having trained personnel to respond to and oversee the evacuation of injured persons
appropriate medical treatment and evacuation of injured persons
shutting down of work, including plant and electrical equipment
information regarding hazardous substances located on site
provision of fire fighting and rescue equipment at appropriate locations, and
display of evacuation procedures in appropriate location(s) at the workplace.
The WHS Regulations also define a number of construction activities as high risk construction work
and these require documented risk controls to be included in a SWMS. Further information on
these activities, the risks and risk control requirements, and relevant risk control reference material
that might be useful is provided in Appendix E.
Any construction work that involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres is defined by the
WHS Regulations as high risk construction work and a SWMS must be prepared before this work
commences.
When work must be undertaken at height or there are open excavations there will be a risk of
people or objects that fall, topple over or roll over. If work cannot be performed safely from the
ground or from solid construction, passive fall protection, such as perimeter guard rails and
temporary work platforms (for example, scaffolding, elevating work platforms and work boxes)
should be provided.
If the provision of passive fall protection is not reasonably practicable or fully effective, then other
forms of fall protection should be used in conjunction with passive fall protection. These may
include work positioning systems or fall arrest devices.
Where ladders are used they must be selected to suit the task to be undertaken. In doing this, you
should consider the duration of the task, the physical surroundings of where the task is to be
undertaken and the prevailing weather conditions.
Falling objects can pose a significant risk and cause serious injuries to workers on construction
workplaces or members of the public if controls are not implemented to eliminate or minimise the
associated risks. For example, a person could receive fatal head injuries if building materials or
equipment is not secured or prevented from falling. It is essential to ensure that objects do not fall
onto workers or other persons who may be under or adjacent to the area where the work is being
performed.
Measures to control the risk of an object falling should be implemented first, for example by
properly securing loads being raised or lowered, before considering measures to protect people
from being hit by objects if they do fall. Risk controls that you should consider include:
using the appropriate equipment to raise and lower objects, including ensuring that working
load limits are not exceeded
providing a secure physical barrier at the edge of the elevated area, such as toe boards or
infill panels that form part of a guardrail system, and
erecting perimeter containment screening made of mesh, timber, plywood or metal
sheeting. The framework supporting the screen should be able to bear the load of the
screen.
Control measures which may be implemented to control falling objects when undertaking
construction work include:
securing and properly bracing structures (elimination)
perimeter containment screening (passive fall protection)
toe boards on edge protection (passive fall protection)
tool lanyards (fall arrest)
a catch platform and/or nets (fall arrest)
a gantry where work involving multiple levels is being performed that is beside a footpath
(fall arrest)
closure of the adjoining area to form an exclusion zone (administrative)
a traffic management device (administrative)
a road diversion or traffic detour (administrative)
traffic controllers to direct pedestrians or other traffic (administrative)
working outside normal hours (administrative)
PPE such as hard hats (PPE).
When considering control measures to contain or catch falling objects, you should identify the
types of objects that could fall, as well as the fall gradient and distance, to ensure that any
protective equipment or structures are strong enough to withstand the impact forces of the falling
object. Examples of these control measures include:
erecting a covered, pedestrian walkway
erecting a catch platform with vertical sheeting or perimeter screening, and
providing overhead protective structures on mobile plant.
Other control measures to minimise the risks associated with falling objects involve:
tethering tools to lanyards when working at height
using chutes when placing debris into a skip below the work area
The Code of Practice: Scaffolding [under development] provides information on the requirements
of using and installing these types of systems as guardrail or fall arrest platforms, and working on
roofs with a pitch over 26 degrees.
Where the slope of the roof exceeds 35 degrees, the roof is an inappropriate surface to stand on.
Perimeter guardrails and catch platforms are inappropriate measures to protect workers on a
steeply sloping roof. In these circumstances, roof workers need a system to prevent sliding and to
prevent falls from the perimeter, comprising one or more of the following:
aerial access equipment, such as an elevating work platform
a work positioning system, such as travel restraint or industrial rope access system
a scaffold platform, located at the roof edge (fall arrest platform), or
a roof ladder.
Proprietary systems should be configured, installed, used and dismantled in accordance with the
manufacturers instructions.
Before using a guard rail system, a check should be undertaken to ensure it is adequate for
potential loads. The required load resistance will depend on the momentum of a falling person. For
example, the momentum of a person falling from a pitched roof will increase as the pitch (or angle)
of the roof increases.
Perimeter safety screens should not have any gaps greater than 25mm.
Mesh used for perimeter safety screening should be made of at least 2.5mm diameter steel with a
tensile strength of at least 380MPa and the openings within the mesh should not be over:
if the mesh has lining securely attached to the inside of the mesh - 50mm in any direction,
or
Otherwise - 25mm in any direction.
Lining includes intact shade cloth or another intact lining that, when tested in accordance with
method A in AS 2001.2.4, has a mean bursting pressure of at least 1000kPa.
If a catch platform used or to be used as a control measure is installed, extended or reduced, the
person conducting a business or undertaking should ensure that control measures are used to
prevent a component of the platform falling on persons while the platform is being installed,
extended or reduced.
A gantry is an effective physical barrier control measure to protect persons moving about within the
area covered by the gantry. However, a gantry should be used in conjunction with other control
measures to eliminate or minimise the risk from falling objects to health and safety.
Exclusion zones
The closure of part or all of an adjoining work or public area to form an exclusion zone can be an
effective control measure to protect persons from the risk of falling objects. However, as an
administrative control it should be used in conjunction with other controls and will require direct
supervision to ensure it remains effective.
The establishment of an exclusion zone may necessitate the erection of appropriate signage
and/or barriers and the use of traffic controllers depending on the ease of access and the ability of
workers or members of the public to access the area. The provision of perimeter fencing around
the area will assist the operation of exclusion zones.
The hoarding or barricade must be strong enough and appropriately designed and erected for the
circumstances in which it is used, including the location of the workplace and the type of work to be
carried out near the hoarding or barricade.
A hoarding, barricade or gantry that can stop an object that has fallen from the highest point of the
structure from striking a member of the public at or beyond the boundary line may be an
appropriate control measure to minimise the risk of falling objects to the public.
If a hoarding, barricade or gantry cannot ensure that an object that has fallen from the highest
point of the structure will not strike a member of the public at or beyond the boundary line, then the
person conducting a business or undertaking should consider controlling the risk by using
perimeter safety screening, or a gantry, or by closing part or all of the adjoining area.
For other persons and members of the public as well as workers within the workplace:
perimeter safety screening is erected along each part of a structure from which an object
could fall.
scaffolding erected with perimeter safety screening, mesh or mesh fitted with a prescribed
lining is erected along each part of a structure from which an object could fall.
Further information on managing the risks of falls is also available in AS/NZS 1891: Industrial fall-
arrest systems and devices - Selection, use and maintenance.
Managing traffic is essential to providing a safe and healthy construction workplace. Traffic can
include construction vehicles (for example, cars, utes, trucks), non-construction vehicles (for
example, delivery trucks, private vehicles), powered mobile plant and pedestrians. Vehicles and
powered mobile plant moving in and around workplaces, reversing, loading and unloading, are
activities frequently linked with workplace injuries and fatalities.
Traffic management planning details the work to be undertaken and the stages involved, identifies
the frequency of interaction of construction vehicles, powered mobile plant and pedestrians,
evaluates the effectiveness of any risk control measures, lists contacts and who has
responsibilities or needs to be notified, describes the management of emergencies, the impact on
the general area and how these impacts are to be managed.
Elements to take into account in traffic management planning include pedestrian and traffic routing,
traffic demand, traffic controls and the types of controls needed, requirements for special vehicles
(over-dimensional), emergency services and workplace access, parking requirements and welfare
facilities for visiting drivers.
Traffic management planning should set out the preferred travel paths for vehicles associated with
a workplace, including points to enter and leave the workplace, haul routes for debris or
plant/materials, or traffic crossing another stream of traffic. Planning should include traffic taming
concepts to limit speed and limit the potential to take incorrect paths. The planning should include
arrangements for persons, powered mobile plant and vehicle traffic in the work area and also
identify travel paths on routes remote from the workplace such as places to turn around, dump
material, access ramps and side roads.
Vehicle and pedestrian movement should be planned and controlled so that pedestrians and plant
can operate safely at the workplace at the same time. Where practicable, the two should be kept
separate and work in separate areas. The movement of visitors should be limited with barriers and
signage.
Prior to commencement of any excavation that affects roads or traffic movement, traffic
management planning should be completed to include, where necessary, a traffic controller, traffic
signals (portable or permanent), barricades and any road closures. Traffic management planning
should be in written form and available at the workplace at all times.
Further guidance on traffic management activities is available in the Code of Practice: Traffic
management for work on or near roads [under development].
Before work commences, the principal contractor must find out from appropriate sources what
services are at or near the location where the work is to be done that could create a risk if
contacted or damaged. Services may be underground or hidden in floor slabs and behind walls.
Where there are underground essential services and excavation work is to be undertaken, the
WHS Regulations current information on the services must be obtained prior to commencing work
and:
there must be regard for the information during the work
the information must be readily available for inspection under the WHS Act
make the information available to any principal contractor and subcontractors, and
retain the information until the excavation is completed or, if there is a notifiable incident
relating to the excavation, 2 years after the incident occurs.
This information should be recorded in writing and given to other contractors or subcontractors at
the workplace, so the information is considered when planning all work in the area.
Manual tasks cover a wide range of activities including: operating mobile plant, using hand held
tools, erecting and dismantling scaffolding, handling materials such as steel, timber, and bricks.
Sometimes tasks are made more difficult by the person having restricted movement such as work
on ladders and elevated work platforms.
Equipment, tasks and work environments should be designed and/or selected so that manual
handling risks are eliminated or minimised so far as is reasonably practicable. Examples include
using well-designed and suitable plant to lift and move materials and the supply of materials in
easy to handle sizes and weights and reducing the carrying distance.
Some of the ways that risks involved with manual tasks can be eliminated or minimised, include:
purchasing pre-packaged materials in smaller bags/containers or have materials supplied
and handled in bulk
improve the design and ease of handling of materials and components such as
plasterboard, glass, mirrors and roof trusses by making them lighter weight or incorporate
lifting points able to be handled with mechanical aids;
use mechanical aids such as cranes, hoists, forklifts; laser screed for concreting; a brick
elevator to deliver materials to elevated work areas; and vacuum lifters for windows and
sheet materials
store building materials and tools between waist and shoulder height and use work
benches to reduce the amount of bending
ensure clear access and adequate space where manual tasks are being performed
ensure materials are placed close to where the work is being done to reduce the distance
that loads are being handled
ensure tools and equipment are well maintained
ensure the right tool for the job is used
organise the work to
o reduce the frequency and duration that a worker performs a task;
o ensure that the worker has regular rest breaks
o reduce congestion by proper sequencing of work
o ensure that there are adequate numbers of workers,
The best time to make sure that all the risks are controlled is during the design and planning stage
of the project. Consult with designers and those involved in planning the work to ensure that the
work process which impact manual tasks have been considered and managed.
Brief the designers and engineers designing the structures to consider the manual task
implications for the life cycle of the design including cleaning and maintenance.
Modify tasks or equipment involved in manual tasks to make sure risk is eliminated or
minimised.
Specify to suppliers that their materials, equipment, products and their packaging, including
the way they are delivered, are designed to reduce the risk of injury to your workers.
Further guidance on managing the risks involved with manual tasks is available in the Code of
Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.
The risks arising from potential exposure to hazardous chemicals should be assessed and
controlled in accordance with the WHS Regulations.
The [draft] Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals provides detailed guidance
on chemical risk controls and technical information for all industries. The following information is
provided to assist with chemical management at a construction workplace.
Anyone working with hazardous chemicals must be made aware of the risks and provided with
adequate controls (refer to hierarchy of controls in Chapter 2 of this Code).
Any contractor or subcontractor introducing new chemicals to the workplace must provide details of
the chemicals to the principal contractor.
Contaminated materials
Before starting any construction work, the workplace should be examined to determine whether:
there is anything which could be a fire and/or explosion risk
any previous use of the site might cause a risk because of the nature of and/or
decomposition of materials, and
there are any toxic, radioactive or other hazardous materials present.
Any hazardous materials should be clearly identified so that adequate risk controls can be
implemented to ensure the health and safety of everyone on or near the workplace. If the nature of
the material cannot be easily and reliably determined, samples should be taken and analysed by a
competent person. Some hazardous materials will need to be specially removed and disposed of.
The principal contractor and/or the construction contractor has the responsibility of informing all
workers of the presence of hazardous materials or chemicals, as well as the measures for
controlling exposure and safe disposal. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for hazardous chemicals must
be readily available for reference.
Materials that can present a physical, chemical and/or biological risk to human health include some
forms of metals (such as lead, cadmium and mercury), toxic elements and compounds:
hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons; pesticides: toxic, explosive and asphyxiant gases;
combustible substances; biologically active substances and micro-organisms; hazardous wastes:
radioactive wastes and other material such as asbestos, synthetic mineral fibres and silica dust.
Monitoring measures the amount that workers may be exposed to any contaminants or hazardous
substances and may be needed as a part of the risk assessment or to check that control measures
are effective. Monitoring of airborne contaminants such as dust and fumes involves taking air
samples and checking against the relevant standard.
Some of these contaminants may be hazardous chemicals that have exposure standards that must
be observed. Details of exposure standards are set out in the manufacturers Safety Data Sheet
(SDS) or in the Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants.
Control measures for the handling and removal of the contaminated material will be required. The
following are examples of control measures for hazardous substances contained in dust:
extracting dust at the point of generation and collecting it in such a manner so as not to
affect the health and safety of persons at the workplace
using water, detergents or other substances to suppress dust at the point of generation
using tools fitted with dust extraction and/or with a water attachment
using low pressure water sprays sufficient to suppress dust
fitting water applicators onto machinery rather than hand holding them
Hazardous atmospheres
An atmosphere is a hazardous atmosphere if:
the atmosphere does not have a safe oxygen level
the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere increases the fire risk
the concentration of a flammable gas, vapour, mist, or fumes is more than 5 percent of the
lower explosive limit for the gas, vapour, mist or fumes, or
a hazardous chemical in the form of a combustible dust is present in a quantity and form
that would result in a hazardous area.
Construction work involving the use of flammable solvents will give rise to airborne flammable
vapours which if allowed to accumulate and exceed the lower explosive limit, will pose a risk of
ignition. In addition to controlling potential ignition sources, ensure that adequate ventilation is
provided during the use, handling and storage of flammable substances.
The gases or fumes most likely to be found in various kinds of excavations are listed in Table 1
below. Note that some of these gases can be toxic, flammable and/or an asphyxiant, as shown in
Table 2.
Where a risk assessment indicates the possibility of airborne contaminants, the workplace should
be tested by a competent person using appropriate detection equipment. Test should be
conducted with reference to the Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants.
If airborne contaminants are detected, the risk of exposure must be eliminated where reasonably
practicable. This may require the identification of the source (for example, a leaking pipe) and its
removal (for example, pipe repair).
Where the risk of exposure cannot be eliminated, tests should also be carried out before work
starts and at regular intervals throughout the period of work. Mechanical ventilation or exhausts
may be required to achieve safe oxygen and contaminant levels.
Carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulphide Reclaimed land and tip fills
Hydrogen sulphide
Carbon dioxide
Natural gas
Carbon monoxide
Sulphur Dioxide
Kerosene
Where testing reveals an oxygen deficient or contaminated atmosphere, the work should stop until
adequate risk controls have been implemented. Where this is not practicable, appropriate
respiratory protective equipment must be selected and used.
If combustible or explosive gases are suspected, all persons including members of the public must
be evacuated from the workplace and kept away from the area until control measures are
implemented. Where a hazardous work area is identified, the area should be secured against
unauthorised entry and appropriately signed.
Further information on the storage and handling of combustible material is available in AS 1940:
The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
Ignition sources
Flammable or combustible gases, vapours, dusts and mists may be generated or evolve within a
hazardous chemical storage and handling environment. These can form explosive mixtures with air
in certain proportions.
An area where an explosive atmosphere may occur is described as a hazardous area. An ignition
source is any source of energy sufficient to ignite a flammable atmosphere. Ignition sources at a
construction workplace may include:
naked flames, including those from blow torches, heaters, pilot lights, driers, cigarettes,
lighters and matches
static electricity (for example, generated by workers clothing)
heat from portable equipment
friction from moving parts, such as fan blades rubbing nearby surfaces
sparks from grinding and welding
internal combustion engines and vehicles, and
electric equipment, such as power points, extension cords, power tools, switches, lighting,
appliances and battery-powered forklift trucks, radio transmitters and mobile phones which
are not rated for a hazardous area.
Potential ignition sources as described above must be controlled where flammable substances are
used, handled or stored.
Further guidance on welding is available in the [draft] Code of Practice: Welding and Allied
Processes.
Further information on welding is available in AS 4361.1: Safety in welding and allied processes -
Fire precautions.
Dust
The work method selected should minimise the creation and release of dust into the air, for
example, silicosis, concrete and lead dust. Traffic management planning should include minimising
vehicle pathways and the use of watering systems to limit airborne dust generation.
8.6 Asbestos
Any construction work, including demolition and refurbishment work that involves the disturbance
of asbestos is defined by the WHS Regulations as high risk construction work and a SWMS,
including a copy of the asbestos register, must be prepared before this work commences.
When carrying out construction work, it is possible that asbestos may be found in the workplace or
in materials being used at the workplace, for example:
asbestos cement products such as roof and wall cladding, bath panels, boiler and
incinerator flues, gutters, rainwater pipes, and water tanks
textiles asbestos felts, ropes, fire blankets and woven asbestos cable sheathing
sprayed insulation materials used for fire-proofing, thermal protection, insulation and
soundproofing
The WHS Regulations require the person with management or control of a workplace to ensure all
asbestos or ACM at the workplace is identified (or assumed present) by a competent person and
an asbestos register is prepared for the workplace. The asbestos register must be kept up-to-date.
If there is no asbestos register at the workplace but asbestos is identified during the course of any
work being carried out, the person with management or control of the workplace should be advised
who must then identify it (or ensure a competent person identifies it) and prepare a register.
For buildings constructed prior to 31 December 2003, it should be presumed that the building
contains asbestos unless the person is certain that the building is clear of asbestos containing
materials.
As there will be no asbestos register at a domestic premise, the homeowner or landlord must be
advised if asbestos is identified and the amount and quantity should be determined without
disturbing it. A licensed asbestos removalist may be required to remove and dispose of the
asbestos.
Detailed guidance on asbestos registers is available in the Code of Practice: How to Manage and
Control Asbestos in the Workplace.
When planning demolition or refurbishment, the person carrying out the work must review the
asbestos register and should consider:
the location of asbestos in relation to the proposed demolition or refurbishment
if there are inaccessible areas that are likely to contain asbestos
whether asbestos is likely to be damaged or disturbed as a result of the demolition or
refurbishment work if yes, can it be removed safely before work commences?
Further guidance on managing asbestos when demolition and refurbishment work is being carried
out is available in the Code of Practice: How to Manage and Control Asbestos in the Workplace.
Further guidance on removing asbestos is available in the Code of Practice: How to Safely
Remove Asbestos.
Further guidance on demolition work is available in the [draft] Code of Practice: Demolition Work.
A confined space does not include a mine shaft or the workings of a mine.
Regardless of why confined spaces are entered, all hazards must be thoroughly assessed prior to
any persons entering.
The work activities carried out in a confined space can indicate the hazards that may be present.
For example, the use of hazardous chemicals can lead to oxygen deficiency, atmospheric
contaminants or flammable atmospheres.
Some of the hazards that may be associated with confined spaces include ignition hazards from
welding and cutting, atmospheric hazards which cause the environment to be contaminated with
harmful substance or oxygen deficient or oxygen enriched, engulfment hazards from sand and soil
and noise hazards from the operation of equipment and plant.
Other issues that need to be addressed include confined space entry permits, signage,
communication, atmospheric monitoring and exposure standards, training and instruction,
flammable gases and rescue procedures.
Further guidance about managing risks associated with working in a confined space is available in
the Code of Practice: Confined Spaces.
In most cases, risks to unauthorised persons entering the workplace can be controlled with
fencing. When fences are installed around the perimeter of the workplace, either permanent or
temporary, it should be maintained until unauthorised entrants are no longer at risk. For example,
locks should be fitted to fencing to prevent unauthorised access and they should be tested
regularly.
Unauthorised persons, including children, are more likely to comply with a physical barrier, such as
a fence, than a warning sign. In certain circumstances construction workplaces may require
specific security measures to be implemented which could include the employment of security
officers and the use of electronic swipe cards to prevent unauthorised access.
The security of plant and equipment left unattended at the workplace will also need to be
addressed examples of these would include:
locking electrical switchboards
securing fuels and hazardous substances
locking mobile plant and safe storage of keys, and
safe storage of plant and equipment.
When planning how wiring will be installed at a construction workplace, factors to take into account
include:
how construction wiring will be supplied to the workplace
the height of the structure
the use of distribution boards and switchboards
ensuring mechanical protection for the construction wiring
the marking of the construction wiring
the allowable lengths of lead for flexible cords and extension sets and how to protect them
assemblies of portable socket outlets
the lighting, including emergency lighting
any inspection and testing requirements, and
Residual Current Devices (RCDs) fitted for all construction wiring.
Persons carrying out electrical work are required to hold a relevant electrical work licence.
There are hazards associated with working near electric lines and a risk of accidental contact with
the lines occurring (see Section 8.10 of this Code).
Further guidance about electricity in the workplace is available in the [draft] Code of Practice:
Managing Electrical Risks at the Workplace.
8.10 Plant
All construction workplaces will have items plant being used on a daily basis, ranging from hand-
held tools to powered mobile plant and earthmoving machinery. Detailed guidance on managing
the risks of plant is available in the [draft] Code of Practice: Managing the Risks of Plant at the
Workplace
The WHS Regulations require the person with management or control of powered mobile plant at a
workplace to, as far as is reasonably practicable:
eliminate the risk of plant overturning, or colliding with a person or thing
eliminate the risk of things falling on the operator or the operator being ejected from the plant
ensure that appropriate operator protective devices are provided, used and maintained
ensure that no person other than the operator rides on the plant without being provide the
same protection as the operator
ensure that the plant has a warning device if there is the possibility of a collision with a
pedestrian.
If plant comes into contact with an overhead or underground electric line it may become electrified
and pose a serious risk to the operator and any persons nearby. In addition to direct electric shock
and possible electrocution, contact with electric lines can lead to a variety of hazardous conditions
including fire, unpredictable cable whiplash and the electrifying of other objects (for example, signs,
poles, surrounding earth, trees or branches).
Specific risk control measures must be implemented when work is done in the vicinity of electric
lines whether they are overhead or underground. The relevant authority should be consulted and
appropriate risk controls implemented.
When excavators, other earthmoving machinery, or similar items of plant are operated near
overhead electric lines, a thorough examination of the approaches and surroundings of the
workplace must be carried out before taking the plant to the workplace and setting it up. This
examination will determine whether precautions need to be taken to prevent any part of the plant or
any load carried on it from coming too close or contacting overhead electric lines:
Guarding plant
Wherever practical, guarding should be provided on moving parts of plant to minimise the risk of
injury. Guards should be designed to help prevent the following type of injuries:
cutting
amputation injuries
injuries from projectiles, and
being struck by rotating parts.
Guards supplied by the plant manufacturer should be used with the plant in accordance with the
manufacturers instructions and should not be removed. Manufacturers of plant need to supply
comprehensive information on the safe use of the guard and workers need to be provided with the
information. Some items of plant used on construction workplaces that require guarding include the
following:
Portable concrete mixers -fixed guards over gear or belt type drive systems.
Circular saws full retractable guards.
Brick cutting machines generally a minimum 180 degree guard over the top half of the
blade.
Concrete cutting saws generally a minimum 180 degree guard that can be partially
rotated around the cutting blade and locked in position.
Brick elevators - guarding over drive systems.
Angle grinders - generally a minimum 180 degree guard that can be partially rotated around
the cutting blade and locked in position. Note: where tungsten tipped multi cutter blades
are used on angle grinders a full guard that requires constant hand pressure to disengage
is to be used (that is, similar to guarding required on circular saws).
Lifts
Persons required to work on and use lifts are to ensure safe working conditions and practices
(supported by training) for those responsible for, and involved in, new lift installations and new
construction.
Further information on the safety of persons when entering and leaving the work area on a lift
installation and while working there and the safety of others in the vicinity, whether working or not,
who may be endangered by the action of those working on lifts is available in Information is
available in AS/NZS 4431: Guidelines for safe working on new lift installations in new
constructions.
Hoists
Persons required to work on and use hoists are to ensure safe working provisions and practices
(supported by training) for those responsible for, and involved in, hoist installations. Further
information is available in AS 1418.16: Cranes (including hoists and winches) - Mast climbing work
platforms.
Builders hoists
When installing or using any type of hoist, documentation should be available showing the hoist is
all in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
Further information on the planning, selection, siting, erection and dismantling, personnel,
maintenance, inspection and repair of hoists is available in AS 2550.7: The safe use of builders'
hoists and associated equipment.
Control measures to ensure that plant is left in a safe and secure condition could include:
designated and fenced areas for mobile plant parking
locks and isolation procedures
secure storage boxes and shelving for hand held tools and electrical leads
ventilation systems for areas where substances are stored, and
barricades and signage installed and permit to work systems implemented.
Before work commences, noise sources and ways to eliminate or reduce exposure to excessive
noise need to be identified. For example, a supplier or plant operator can help to identify ways to
limit worker noise exposure both inside and outside the plant.
Further guidance about managing risks associated with noise is available in the Code of Practice:
Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work.
Persons involved in the erection of structural steel components are required to hold a high risk
work licence as a rigger.
Any construction work that involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres is defined by the
WHS Regulations as high risk construction work and a SWMS must be prepared before this work
commences.
Section 8.1 of this Code provides further guidance on managing fall risks.
The safe operation of concrete placing equipment requires high levels of competence and
equipment preparation. Examples of hazards and risks associated with concrete placing operations
include:
Overturning of mobile concrete placement booms due to ground stability and short legging.
Contact with moving parts.
Contact with overhead electric lines.
Concrete contacting workers body parts.
Collapse of concrete placement booms.
Rupture of concrete placement lines.
Hose whip from line blockages.
Manual handling of hose and pipes.
When setting up for concrete pumping operations the following issues should be addressed:
The plant is set-up, operated and maintained as per the manufacturers instructions.
The pumping unit is set up and managed so that it can operate safely if in the vicinity of
overhead electric lines or other hazardous items.
The plant is set up on firm and level ground with timber or pads under outrigger feet.
The outriggers feet are set up a safe distance from excavations and soft ground.
Outriggers are always fully extended unless the boom manufacturer states short legging is
permitted and you have followed the manufacturers instructions.
Suitable PPE is worn (for example, safety glasses, gloves, footwear and hearing
protection).
A person with management or control of a concrete pump must ensure that the pump is:
provided with adequate guarding and interlocks to eliminate, so far as is reasonably
practicable, the risk of injury from entanglement, crushing or amputation as a result of
contact with any moving parts in the concrete delivery hopper
provided with concrete delivery pipes and connecting clamps that are able to withstand the
pressures applied by the concrete pumping operation without failing
subjected to regular thickness inspection, and
operated in a manner that ensures that the risks to the operator of the unit and other
persons at or near the workplace that arise from systems of work and the environment in
which the unit is used are eliminated, so far as is reasonably practicable, or if it is not
reasonably practicable to eliminate the risks, minimised so far as is reasonably practicable.
A person with management or control of a concrete placement boom should ensure that it:
Further information on concrete placing equipment is available in AS 2550.15: Cranes Safe use -
Part 15: Concrete placing equipment.
The number of signs needed depends on the size and complexity of the workplace. Signs should
indicate the nature of the workplace and that unauthorised entry to the workplace is not allowed.
The principal contractor must also install signs that are clearly visible from outside the workplace
that shows their name and telephone contact numbers (including an after-hours telephone
number) and shows the location of the project office.
Other signs are required in most workplaces, including workplaces where construction takes place.
These signs can indicate:
the location of first aid equipment and facilities and fire extinguishing equipment
the types and locations of hazardous substances and/or dangerous goods
where personal protective equipment, such as head and foot protection, must be worn, and
the location of and direction to the workplace amenities.
Signage is an administrative control measure and should not be relied on as the sole control for a
risk. Further information about signs is available in AS 1319: Safety signs for the occupational
environment.
Other References
Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail (3rd edition), Commonwealth of
Australia 2009
Building Code of Australia, Australian Building Codes Board 2010
Workplace Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants, Safe Work Australia
A contractor will have the duty to ensure the health and safety of all workers (including subcontractors) and other
persons arising from construction work carried out by the contractor. In addition:
If the contractor has been delegated management and control of the construction workplace they will have the
duty to ensure the health and safety of all workers (including contractors and subcontractors) and other
Contractor persons arising from the construction work carried out at the construction workplace, and
If the contractor is the sole contractor engaged by a person commissioning construction work who is not a PCBU
they will have the duty to ensure the health and safety of all workers (including subcontractors) and other
persons arising from the construction work carried out at the construction workplace.
A subcontractor will have the duty to ensure the health and safety of all workers (including any further
Subcontractor subcontractors) and other persons arising from construction work carried out by the subcontractor.
A principal contractor has a duty to ensure the health and safety of all workers (including contractors and
subcontractors) and other persons arising from the construction work carried out at or in the vicinity of the
construction project.
Principal
Contractor If the person commissioning construction work is not a PCBU and:
a contractor has management and control of the construction project then the contractor is the principal
contractor, or
a contractor is the sole contractor engaged by the person commissioning construction work t then the contractor
is the principal contractor.
A contractor has a duty to ensure the health and safety of all workers (including subcontractors) and other
Contractor persons arising from the construction work carried out by the contractor.
A subcontractor has a duty to ensure the health and safety of all workers (including any further subcontractors)
Subcontractor and other persons arising from the construction work carried out by the subcontractor.
Works Manager:
Contact Phone:
What is the activity and high What are the hazards and risks? How will the hazards and risks be controlled?
risk construction work? (What is the problem?) (Describe the control measures and how they will be used)
Think about the workplace and each stage of the work, including preparation and clean-up.
Break the job down into logical work Identify the hazards and risks that may cause harm to workers Describe what will be done to control the risk. What will you do to make the activity as
or activity groups. Where it makes or the public. Consider the environment, equipment, the work safe as possible? Start by trying to eliminate the risk, and then move down the hierarchy
sense to address a range of activities methods, other contractors/workers, etc. of controls.
with one control measure, group them
into one entry on the SWMS.
Person Responsible for Joe Bloggs Date SWMS Provided to PC: 5 January 2012
ensuring compliance with SWMS Leading Hand
Person(s) Responsible for Fred Bloggs Last SWMS Review Date: 12 January 2012
reviewing the SWMS Works Manager
Signature: Date received:
Place brick pallets adjacent to bricklaying work areas (inside workplace boundaries
and clear of workplace traffic routes).
Working at ground level Being struck by powered mobile plant. Powered mobile plant to travel on planned and controlled workplace traffic routes.
Movement of powered mobile Falls into excavations. Where powered mobile plant are required to travel outside of planned and controlled
plant. routes, a dedicated, trained road traffic controller is to control plant movement.
Work that is carried out near Powered mobile plant and materials are not to be operated or stored within 2 metres
a trench with an excavated of an open trench.
depth greater than 1.5
metres.
Working above ground Worker falling from height. For bricklaying activity where there is a risk of a person or object falling less than 2
A risk of a person falling Worker coming in contact with and/or receiving metres, use fully decked heavy duty frame trestle scaffolds, with bay lengths of 1.8
more than 2 metres. electric shock from overhead electric lines. metres or less.
Construction work that is Plant/equipment contacting overhead electric
carried out on or near lines. For bricklaying activity where there is a risk of a person or object falling greater than
energised electrical 2 metres, use heavy duty modular scaffolds with brick-guards.
installations or services.
Where scaffolds are greater than 4 metres in height, scaffold construction is to be
completed and certified by the licensed scaffolder.
The exclusion zones and approach distances to overhead electric lines at the
locations and distances specified on the site plan are to clearly identifiable and
Structural alterations or
repairs that require
temporary support to prevent
collapse.
A key risk is for a person to drown as a result of, for example, Technical Standards:
a lack of fitness, limited competency and/or planning, or AS 2299.1: Occupational diving operations -
equipment failure. Standard operational practice
Drowning in water or Any construction work A key risk when working on, in or near water or other liquid is Codes of Practice:
other liquid that is carried out in or for a person to drown. Diving
near water or other liquid Excavation Work
that involves a risk of Where the liquid is a chemical then exposure to hazardous Chemicals Risk Management
drowning. chemicals can also occur.
Technical Standards:
AS 3850.1 Precast concrete elements
general requirements
AS 3850.2 Precast concrete elements
building construction
Traffic corridor - Any construction work The main risks arise from the workplace being adjacent to Codes of Practice:
road, railway, that is carried out on, in vehicles passing and the interaction of workers with these Traffic Management for Construction Work
shipping lane or or adjacent to a road, vehicles. Managing the Risk of Plant in the
Examples of information recommended for inclusion in the WHS management plan are:
the details of the key persons involved (for example, the client, principal contractor)
the details of the construction project (for example, location or locations, anticipated project
start and duration, and the works to be undertaken)
the management and monitoring of contractors and subcontractors including how the
principal contractor intends to implement and ensure compliance with the plan, for example,
checking on the performance of contractors and subcontractors and how non-compliance
will be handled
the arrangements to prepare, collect and assess, monitor and review safe work method
statements, including the communication of safe work method statements
the provision, maintenance and management of housekeeping, facilities and a safe and
healthy work environment
the management of falls and fallings objects and any high risk construction work that will
take place on the project
the provision and maintenance of a hazardous substances register, safety data sheets, and
hazardous substances storage
the safe use and storage of plant
the development of a construction project traffic management plan
obtaining and providing essential services information
workplace security and public safety
ensuring that workers have appropriate licenses and training to undertake the work
monitoring the implementation of and compliance with the plan across the project, and
updating the plan over the course of the project.
The WHS management plan may also include the following information:
client details, for example: name, ABN (if the client is a person conducting a business or
undertaking), and their address
principal contractor details, for example:
o the type of appointment
automatic appointment only where the construction project involves the
construction of a residential premises for a client who is an individual, not a
person conducting a business or undertaking, or
all other construction projects
o the person accepting the duties of the principal contractors name, address and
ABN, and
o the management structure for the project
construction project details, for example:
o address of the workplace
o anticipated start and end date, and
o a brief description of the type of construction work that the WHS management plan
will cover.
For example, people who should be listed include WHS managers, first aid officers and project
managers. Their responsibilities should be briefly described. Health and safety representatives do
not need to be listed, unless they have a coordinating role separate to their role as a health and
safety representative.
The WHS management plan must detail how the principal contractor will consult and cooperate
with other duty holders. There should be ongoing consultation and cooperation between all duty
holders so that when work overlaps, each person is aware of other construction activities and they
can control the hazards and risks created by this. Examples of how the principal contractor may do
this include:
hold pre-commencement WHS meetings with contractors and subcontractors
schedule regular contractor/subcontractor WHS meetings
hold toolbox WHS meetings
establish a construction project WHS committee
distribute a regular WHS newsletter, and
provide support, resourcing and training of health and safety representatives.
In many cases, persons who have responsibilities are not always at the workplace all the time. It is
recommended that consultation arrangements for communicating with people off-site also be
included in the WHS management plan.
The WHS management plan must detail the arrangements the principal contractor will use to
coordinate the construction work to ensure compliance. It must also include the process for
developing, reviewing and distributing SWMS. This would include providing training to workers and
contractors.
Arrangements in place for managing any work health and safety incidents
When preparing this part, the principal contractor should think about the types of WHS incidents
that might occur. The WHS management plan should document the actions that will be taken and
who will represent the principal contractor. The following should be included (covering both the
process involved and the person responsible for it):
Incident Arrangements to stabilise and evacuate any injured person after
management enduring safety of rescuers
Arrangements for isolating the incident scene
Arrangements for making the workplace safe after the incident
Arrangements for preserving the incident site
Arrangements for notifying the principal contractor
Notification of the relevant regulator and emergency services as
necessary
Arrangements for the investigation of an incident
Emergency The emergency plan for the construction project
situations Arrangements for testing of the emergency plan
Arrangements for training and instruction requirements
The WHS management plan should also include arrangements for reporting and acting upon near
misses that occur.
The rules should be simple and clear, and where appropriate, they should show who each rule
applies to.
To determine the project specific rules, consideration of the nature of the work, the hazards, the
size and location of the workplace, and the number and composition of the workers and other
persons at the workplace will need to occur.
Prior to finalising the rules, the principal contractor must consult with everyone in the workplace to
ensure they understand the rules.
In large or complex workplaces, or workplaces with multiple contractors working in the same
location at the same time, the principal contractor will need to ensure that appropriate training is
provided. This should take the form of project specific training provided to all persons at the
workplace.
If there are people at the workplace who do not understand English well, the WHS management
plan should set out how these people will be informed of the rules.
Arrangements to prepare, collect and assess, monitor and review safe work method
statements
The WHS management plan must provide details of the arrangements for the preparation,
collection and any assessment/approval, monitoring and review of safe work method statements at
the workplace.
The principal contractor must ensure that there are arrangements in place for the consultation,
coordination and cooperation of all persons engaged in high risk construction work so that the
SWMS used do not conflict or create new hazards or risks to health and safety.
Any contractor or subcontractor undertaking high risk construction work must provide a copy of the
SWMS to the principal contractor prior to commencing the work, and should provide a copy to the
contractor that engaged them to undertake the work.