Occupational Health and Safety Principles on Building Sites
504B – Apply OHS Principles
Identify Factors Contributing to Risk
1. List eight factors contributing to risk found on commercial building sites.
- Environmental factors: weather (wind, sun, rain, etc.)
- Working at heights
- Moving plant and vehicles
- Confined spaces
- Hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos)
- Electrical hazards
- Chemical hazards
- Fire hazards
Identify Current Risk Controls
2. Identify current risk controls for four of the listed hazards.
- Working at heights: Harnesses and handrails (1m high) to prevent falls.
- Confined spaces: Training and appropriate resources to ensure the person working in the confined space is adequately prepared.
- Moving plant and vehicles: Correct licensing for the specific job, depending on the plant and vehicles used.
- Asbestos removal: Correct licensing for asbestos removal. The person must have the proper training and a valid license, demonstrating they are qualified for the job.
Evaluate Adequacy of Current Controls
3. Evaluate the adequacy of current controls requiring PPE used for asbestos removal. Describe the PPE used and its relevance.
The PPE used when dealing with asbestos removal is very important. Work should not proceed without the following:
- Coveralls: Protect the skin from asbestos fibers.
- Gloves: Protect the person from touching asbestos and prevent the spread of hazardous material to other areas, such as the face or other items.
- Respiratory Masks: A fitted mask is required when dealing with the removal of asbestos, as asbestos can affect your lungs and internal organs if inhaled.
Identify Discrepancies in Controls
4. Using one example of PPE used for working at heights, describe three possible discrepancies between current control and the required quality of control.
PPE used for working at heights, such as harnesses:
- Cheap vs. Expensive: Using a cheap harness instead of a more expensive, higher-quality one can be hazardous. A cheaper harness may have fewer safety features, such as inferior materials. More expensive harnesses generally have more safety features.
- Australian Standards: PPE used for working at heights must comply with Australian Standards. These standards provide the minimum requirements for a safe workplace.
- Age (How Old): The age of the harness is important. If the harness is old and worn out, its safety properties are diminished, increasing the risk of hazards.
- Testing: Ensure testing is done before using the harness to check for defects or damage. Testing is essential to prevent risks.
It’s crucial to determine the exact type of PPE (harnesses) needed for a specific job involving working at heights.
Prioritize Hazards Requiring Further Control
5. Describe the methods a professional builder would use to prioritize hazards requiring further control action.
A professional builder would use site inspections to identify and rank hazards using a risk matrix.
A risk matrix is used during a risk assessment (inspection) to define the level of risk by considering the probability or likelihood against the severity of the consequences. This simple mechanism increases the visibility of risks and assists in management decision-making. Hazards with more severe consequences are prioritized first.
Document Risk Assessment Method and Outcomes
6. Briefly describe one method a professional builder would use to document the process and outcome of risk assessment on a commercial building site.
Risk Matrix:
- Use a site inspection, utilizing a risk matrix template from the Site-Specific Safety Management Plan (SSSMP).
- Prioritize the hazards.
- Identify the required controls.
- Consult with others.
- Refer to contracts regarding attendance at meetings and compliance with site rules.
- Publish outcomes.
The risk matrix assessment needs to be documented, entered into a register, and shared with everyone on-site to ensure awareness (through consultation in toolbox meetings). Visible documentation should be provided for everyone to see.
Control Risk Associated with Hazards
Develop Control Options
7. List and describe the control options you will develop for your site to manage the hazard of fire.
For fire hazards:
- Implement an evacuation diagram.
- Conduct toolbox meetings and consult with everyone.
- Provide training and inductions.
- Provide fire extinguishers/blankets.
- Install warning alarms.
- Communicate the location and details of flammable materials on site.
Identify Potential Factors Impacting Control Effectiveness
8. Identify one critical potential factor impacting the effectiveness of implemented controls.
The People Factor: The people factor is a critical potential factor impacting the effectiveness of implemented controls. This includes individuals on site not following rules or instructions, which affects effectiveness. Additionally, human nature, including inevitable human error, also affects the effectiveness of implemented controls.
Seek Advice from OHS Specialists
9. When would a professional builder seek advice from OHS specialists and key personnel?
A professional builder will seek advice from OHS specialists and key personnel when they are unsure, have concerns, or lack knowledge about a particular safety issue.
Identify Authority and Resources for Controls
10. Using a large concrete pour that must occur from the street as an example, identify the appropriate authority and relevant resources to initiate and maintain the required controls.
- Council Approval: Required when working near public areas to prevent hazards and risks.
- Traffic Management: Required when working on public roads to manage traffic during the delivery and departure of concrete trucks, preventing delays and hazards.
- Traffic Control: Personnel to direct traffic flow.
- Environmental Protections: Essential when working near public roads, as heavy vehicles can affect the surrounding environment. Fencing and spotters around the trucks are required.
Identify and Document Actions for Change
11. Identify the most effective action required to achieve change in the levels of safety achieved on construction sites.
Positive Communication Systems: When there is a change in safety levels on a construction site, it is essential that everyone on site is aware of the change to prevent mistakes, hazards, injuries, or death. Therefore, positive and clear communication is required, such as meetings, signage, and proper training, if necessary.
Analyze Extent of Change and Risk Reduction
12. How does a professional builder analyze the extent of change and reduction in risk achieved as a result of the implementation of controls?
A professional builder needs to keep accurate data, in both hard and soft copy, of the change and reduction in risk achieved, ensuring it is well-documented. This helps achieve the correct results from the controls. After documentation, monitoring the change is essential to ensure there are no problems, and if there are, they can be addressed. Finally, the change should be reviewed.
Maintain Hazard Identification and Risk Control Processes
Establish and Maintain a Risk Register
13. Describe a risk register.
A risk register, also known as a risk log, is a master document created during the early stages of a project. It is a tool that plays an important part in your risk management plan, helping you track issues and address problems as they arise.
Document and Communicate Risk Management Procedures
14. How would a professional builder document and communicate risk management procedures to stakeholders and key personnel?
A site-specific safety plan is an agreement between businesses working on a specific site that determines how health and safety will be managed. A professional builder will ensure that all personnel receive a Site-Specific Safety Management Plan (SSSMP).
Document and Communicate Outcomes of Risk Management
15. How would a professional builder document and communicate the outcomes of risk management processes to stakeholders and key personnel?
A professional builder will document and communicate the outcomes of risk management processes to stakeholders and key personnel by publishing all results. This means documenting all results and keeping a hard copy to facilitate follow-up on the process and ensure everyone on site is aware of the risks and the processes to manage them.
Involve Stakeholders and Staff in Risk Management
16. How does a builder involve stakeholders and operational staff in risk management processes?
Builders involve stakeholders and operational staff in risk management processes by ensuring they are included in the communications network, such as toolbox meetings, communication via email, text, phone calls, or face-to-face interactions.
Identify Situations Requiring OHS Specialists
17. Identify situations where an OHS specialist may be required.
OHS specialists are generally required when there is a situation involving a high-risk priority task.
Monitor and Review Risk Management Processes
Determine Frequency, Method, and Scope of Review
18. What method, scope of reviews, and frequency would a professional builder use for consultation with workplace stakeholders and key personnel?
- Method: Site consultation.
- Scope of Review: The required review would depend on the success (or lack thereof) of the consultations.
- Frequency: As soon as there is any change on site (as any change introduces a potential risk).
Ensure Stakeholder and Key Personnel Input
19. How would a professional builder ensure stakeholders and key personnel have input to the review?
A professional builder will ensure stakeholders and key personnel have input to the review by providing a survey and obtaining written feedback from them.
Identify Areas for Improvement and Make Recommendations
20. Identify areas for improvement in the risk management processes and make recommendations.
- Obtain written feedback (surveys).
- Establish an action plan with accountable personnel.
- Prepare action plans, including allocated responsibilities and timeframes for implementation.
Prepare Action Plans
21. Why is the preparation of action plans, including allocated responsibilities and timeframes for implementation, a reasonable practice?
The preparation of action plans, including allocated responsibilities and timeframes for implementation, is a reasonable practice as it allows for tracking the progress of the plan, thereby aiding in planning and preventing risks and mistakes.
Regularly Review Effectiveness of Risk Management
22. How often will a professional builder regularly review the effectiveness of a risk management process?
A professional builder will regularly review the effectiveness of a risk management process depending on the risk. If the risk is high, regular review is necessary.