In this announcement WorkSafe have identified and released details of the suburbs and regional areas that will receive additional attention. The identified industries have been determined as being in need of improvement, based on workers compensation claims and reported incidents.
As builders you will be pleased to know the construction industry was not included in the list. Unfortunately for Bowens, wood products and manufacturing was included. I expect to spend a lot of time with WorkSafe Inspectors in the next 12 months.
Although, WorkSafe did not include the construction industry in the inspection program it does not mean they cease visiting construction sites. I know a number of builders have contacted me since last months article requesting information in relation to Safe Work Method Statements and how to write a SWMS. If WorkSafe does enter your worksite now, they will be expecting to see Safe Work Method Statements.
To assist you in this area, WorkSafe has a wide range of services and publications to help businesses and workers understand their safety obligations. WorkSafe also have a funding to provide an independent contractor who will offer advice on how individual workplaces can be made safer for small and medium businesses. This is a free, three-hour safety consultancy which identify the main causes of injury in specific occupations.
The free consultancy service would be starting point to again assistance with understanding Safe Work Method Statements and the Construction Regulations. All you need to do is phone the WorkSafe Advisory Service on 1800-136-089.