Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
Construction Induction
Manual
INTRODUCTION
All workers including building and construction industry workers have a role to play to
ensure that people are safe at work. The building and construction industry is
constantly changing. The environment, hazards and risk levels constantly as work
progresses on the site and as workers move from one project to another.
Workers need to be fully informed of their role and hazards in the work place. To achieve
this, workers need to participate in three distinct induction processes.
General OHS Induction Training
This course
Site Induction
This gives people who are new to the construction industry and
revises others on basic knowledge of Occupational Health and
Safety legislation, risk management principles, communication
and incident procedures.
Provides people with knowledge of OHS issues and safe work
practices which are specific to a particular building and
construction site.
This aims to provide workers knowledge of the OHS issues and
safe work practices relating to them for a specific task that they
are involved with on site.
Learning Outcomes
As a result of completing this training course and assessment you will have the
knowledge to:
Identify OHS legislative requirements
Identify construction hazards and control measures
Identify OHS communication and reporting processes
Identify OHS incident response procedures
LEGISLATION
This legislation is structured to keep everyone in the workplace safe. The structure consists of the Act,
Regulations, Codes of Practice, Standards and guidance notes. The most important aspects of the
legislation are the Duty of Care obligations of all parties in the workplace.
All states in Australia have occupational safety and health legislation that requires the employer to
provide a workplace that as far as practicable, employees are not exposed to hazards.
The Act
In WA the Act is known as the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984.
Compliance is Compulsory with the Act.
Not only does the employer and employees have obligations under the Act
but manufactures, suppliers and contractors have obligations, in-fact everyone
in the workplace has a duty of care to themselves and every person in the workplace.
The Act promotes consultation and cooperation between all parties in the workplace.
The Regulations
The regulations are designed to support the Act and provide details to help the employer and employee
to meet their obligation to comply with the Act. Compliance is compulsory with the regulations.
Codes of Practice
These are documents that are usually developed by the health and safety authorities to
assist employers and employees to comply with the Act and Regulations. Codes of
practice offer sound advice and recommendations so legal obligations set out in the
Act and Recommendations can be met. Some industry bodies also develop their own
codes of practice. Compliance is not legally binding however Codes of Practice can be
used in court to highlight that the employer could have done more to meet the
requirements under the Act and Regulations.
Australian/NZ Standards
These provide advice and guidance and set a benchmark or minimum
standard that should be met in relation to a particular topic.
Compliance is not compulsory unless they are mentioned in the regulations.
There are two main types of standards, National Standards developed
by the Australian Safety Compensation Council (ASCC) and Australian
Standards developed by Standards Australia.
You need to know the OHS legislation that covers your job and workplace. Also to
know yours and others legal responsibilities relating to OHS in your workplace.
Employer Obligations
Act
Regulations
Code of Practice
AS/NZ Standards
and Guidelines
DUTY OF CARE
This is the most important aspect of the legislation - the duty of care obligations of all parties in
the workplace. It requires a person to do everything reasonably possible to protect themselves
and others from harm. These are some of the obligations of the three groups.
Employers duty of care Provide a safe workplace as far as reasonably practicable
Provide information, instruction, training and supervision
Safe systems of work
Safe plant and substance
Adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) .
Consultation and cooperation
Provide feedback to employees
Training procedures for handling and disposal of materials and waste
Safety systems including procedures to minimize dust and contaminants
Providing access toilets and amenities such as drinking water
Training how to report hazards
Training- What to do in case of emergency
Providing the workplace resolution of issues process
Employees duty of care Reasonable care to ensure their own safety and health at work and
of others in the workplace
Comply with safety instructions given by the employer
Use Personal Protective Equipment as instructed
Follow safe work practices
Consult and cooperate with the employer
Report all hazards in the workplace
Report all injuries to the employer
Participate in safety training
Assisting the employer to meet their OHS objective
Not putting other employees at risk by what you do or dont do
Informing any potential workplace hazards quickly to your employer
ContractorsAll contractors to the site have the same obligations as everyone else at the site. These obligations
include not putting themselves at risk or that puts any other person at risk.
Working safely
To meet your OHS obligation you need to comply with safe working practices to protect
yourself and your fellow workers. Safe work practices include:
Do not take any unnecessary risk
Always look out for potential hazards
Always wear and maintain PPE given to you
Smoke only in designated areas
Keep your work area clean and tidy
Use plant tools and equipment in a safe manner and only if youre authorized
Enter and leave site by designated route
Assisting to prevent workplace bullying and harassment
Never be under the influence of drugs and alcohol
16%
12%
11%
11%
9%
41%
COMMON HAZARDS
Industry has identified a number of workplace hazards (common to all industries) that result in the
highest number of injuries and diseases.
These are referred to as priority areas and are:
working at heights
Hazard definitionA hazard that can cause or has the potential to cause injury or harm to the person or the health of
the person
Some objectives of the Act are to prevent death, injury or illness being caused by the workplace.
This can be achieved by effective hazard management systems very useful tool is the IACR process
The IACR process is a four stage process
Step 1
Identify the Hazard (s)
Step 2
Assess the Risk
Step 3
Control the Hazard (s)
Step 4
Review and Evaluate
SAM- Spot the hazard, Assess the Risk, Make the Changes
Chemical
Biological
Psychological
Ergonomic
Noise
Liquids
Bacteria
Bullying
Work bench
height
Mobile
equipment
Dust
Viral
Anxiety
Poorly designed
tool
Electricity
Gases
Animal
Stress
Unguarded
machines
Fatigue
Sun
Consequences
Likelihood
Insignificant
Minor
Moderate
Major
Catastrophic
Almost certain
Likely
Possible
Unlikely
Rare
Hierarchy of Control
There are a number of ways to control risk. These are collectively known as
the hierarchy of control and their order is indicated by their effectiveness.
Elimination
The highest and most effective control. Remove the hazard completely. This
could include stopping the use of a hazardous chemical or changing the way
you do a job to avoid danger.
Substitution
To replace a hazardous item or procedure with one that is less hazardous.
For example replacing lead based paint with water based paint.
Isolation
Minimizing the chance of danger or harm by preventing access. Erecting
barricades, physical barriers or distance isolation.
Engineering
Where hazards cannot be controlled by other means, a safe workplace can
be created by development of effective guards, ventilation, barricades
Administrative
Examples of admin procedures can include regular structured breaks,
training, signage or procedural systems such as Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and
Safe Work Instruction or Method.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE provides the last barrier to exposure from a hazard. PPE controls are
often used in conjunction with administrative controls. PPE should always be
considered as the last form of control
Once the controls have been decided you must identify a person
who is responsible to put these controls into operation. This
person also needs to monitor the controls to ensure that they are
effective, and they dont bring in other hazards.
SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENT (SWMS)
These statements provide agreed information to all staff in a work group on
safe work practices. They are developed only after a full risk assessment has
been completed and after all reasonable risk control measures have been put
into place. They are similar to a JSA- Job Safety Analysis
JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS (JSA)
This is a systematic approach to a job or task that identifies hazards, enabling
them to be assessed and develop a way of doing the job or task that
eliminates or minimises the risks.
Employees need to know and understand the most capable and safest way of
performing all workplace tasks. The involvement of all relevant workers is
crucial in the risk management process and with the development of the JSA.
JSA Process
Description of steps
Whenever the JSA is changed or there is a change of persons doing the job, review of the JSA is required.
A JSA should be developed for jobs:
that require risk control measures
that have a record of high accident rate
that involve teamwork so that everyone is familiar with all parts of the job
that can result in serious injury
that are being carried out for the first time
all high risk tasks
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Extreme care must be taken when working with dangerous
substances. Training must be given to all employees who are
associated and working with hazardous substances.
Types of substances include- corrosives, solvents, lime, paint, glues,
cleaners, fuel including petrol and diesel. All substances have the
potential to cause injury or harm. Other substances may cause skin
irritations, bring allergic reactions, cause burns, or be highly
flammable and therefore need to be segregated from other
incompatible substances.
The type of storage area must be suitable for the substance being stored and is often dependant on the
amount being stored.
All substances must be appropriately labelled, regardless of whether stored in a box, drum, container or
other form of packaging
Labels must conform to relevant standards and legal requirements with correct labelling allowing people
to know what they are working with.
Labels must be in good condition and easy to read. Replace those that have faded or been defaced
Use, handling and disposal of hazardous substances
Safe work procedures must always be followed including the correct use of hazardous substances for the
intended purpose, and to prevent swallowing, inhaling or skin contact. Safe procedures are also paramount
when disposing of the substance or container. They must not be poured down drains or sewers.
Improper disposal could lead to:
Prosecution
Explosions
MANUAL HANDLING
Manual handling means any activity requiring the use of force
exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or to move, hold
or restrain an item.
Manual handling tasks can range from sprains, strains, hernias,
cuts and fractures with the most common being back pain.
Manual handling is one of the leading causes of work place
injuries.
Injuries can be acute and chronic in nature, the latter being most
common.
Acute
Injuries that result from a single movement often cause instant
pain and suffering. The pain may not become severe for hours
after.
Chronic
Progressive wear and tear caused by repetitive and ongoing
manual handling.
Size up the load and decide whether you can handle it alone
Keep the load close to your body
Crouch down, keeping your back as straight as possible; bend the hips and the knees. Keep
your head upright
Keep your feet apart keep one foot slightly in front of the other so that you are ready to walk
off
Grip the load firmly using your palm and fingers keep your arms and elbows close to your
body
Using your body weight to start the load moving. Then lift by pushing up with your legs
Bend your knees to lower the load do not stoop keep your head upright
Do not twist your body at any time when carrying loads and use your feet to
change direction
CONFINED SPACES
A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed space which is not intended or designed primarily as a workplace,
and can have restricted means for entry and exit. It also can have an atmosphere containing potentially harmful levels
of contaminants, or an unsafe oxygen level or is of a nature that could contribute to a person in the space being
overwhelmed by an unsafe atmosphere of contaminant.
All work carried out in relation to a confined space must conform to AS/NZS 2865 Working in a Confined Space
A confined space may be:
A manhole
An excavation
All employees must receive adequate training when working in confined spaces especially when:
Purchasing and maintaining equipment used by or for the rescue or protection of persons working in or near a
confined space
WORKING AT HEIGHTS
If the job requires people to work at heights, they must be able to so safely. Types of work
where falling from height can occur include:
Working on the roofs of buildings.
Working from elevated work platforms or scaffolding
Working near the edge of excavations
Working from ladders
Contributing factors that may initiate a fall include
Falling objects
Openings in railings
Fragile roof surfaces
Weather conditions(wet/windy)
Incorrect use of ladders
Poorly maintained ladders
Scaffolds not erected or used properly
Unprotected penetrations(holes or openings)
No PPE fall arrest systems in place
weather conditions (wet/ windy)
incorrect use of ladders
poorly maintained ladders
scaffolds not erected or used properly
unprotected penetrations (holes or openings)
no PPE or fall arrest systems in place
Poor training
If your fall restraint/fall arrest equipment has been used to arrest a fall it must be checked by a
competent person and serviced to manufacturer's specifications or discarded. Worn or damaged
equipment must not be used
Scaffolding-Safety considerations for scaffolding include
Ladder Safety
Ensure that
You maintain three points of contact at all times
You carry all your tools in a workbag and not in your hands
You do not lean out from the ladder
The ladder is secured by tying off or a otherwise secured
Your boots and the ladder rungs are free from mud, grease or dirt
You do not stand on the top three rungs of the ladder
Your body is centred between the side rails of the ladder at all times
Unplanned Collapse
An unplanned collapse can pose a significant danger to construction workers.
An unplanned collapse can include:
The collapse of a building or structure (or part of) which is unstable before
completion or demolition
Failure of a load bearing part of a crane, hoist, lifting gear or lift.
The collapse of an excavation
To reduce the likelihood of injury you should be aware of any potential hazards
and comply with all workplace procedures, including complying with maximum
load limits and not entering exclusion zones.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Wind gusts can make work environments unpredictable, by varying the stability of the work areas,
cause things to fall from above, blow structures over or carry dust and small particles. Other risks
include power lines that have come down.
Rain creates wet and slippery conditions that could include slips and falls, and driving accidents due to
slippery roadways and electrocution.
Working in extreme cold conditions can cause breathing difficulties and can cause errors due to lower
circulation or pain in extremities (hands, feet, ears, etc).
Lightning Where groups spend a great deal of time outdoors, care needs to be taken to minimise the
risk of injury from exposure to lightning. Keep a constant look out for thunderstorms and seek a safe
location when lightning is imminent. Ask your supervisor about the site safety procedures in place to
avoid lightning related injuries.
Weather conditions can have a big impact upon the safety and health of workers, especially in outdoor
work environments. Some weather conditions will be immediately obvious such as rain or gusts of wind,
others such as exposure to prolonged heat or cold are dangerous and the impact may not be realised
until the damage is done.
Workplaces must have safe work practices for whatever situation workers are in and
have contingency plans that accommodate changing weather conditions eg- cyclones
High temperature above 36 degrees Celsius the body begins to gain heat from the
environment.
Low air movement, which affects the heat exchange on your skin.
Physical activity.
Increased sweating
Muscular cramps.
Give them cool (but not cold) fluids. avoid overly sweet or drinks containing
caffeine
Drink enough water on a regular basis to keep your urine nearly colourless.
Wear appropriate loose fitting clothes to protect yourself from strong, direct sun.
Wear tinted sunglasses and a protective flap on your safety helmet and use sun
screen.
Try to schedule heavy physical tasks for the early morning or late afternoon when
it is coolest.
Personal Considerations
Medical conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, hypertension, fever or
infections can contribute to heat stress. Some people have conditions, which
can make them more susceptible to heat stress.
Advancing age.
Being overweight or in poor physical condition.
Inadequate salt in their diet
Fatigue
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Contact with energised objects at mains voltages is potentially fatal. It can also cause serious burns
from the discharge of electrical energy.
Health effects include muscle spasms, shock, burns, nausea and vomiting, palpitations, heart
fibrillation, unconsciousness...
Fatalities caused from the use of electricity occur regularly both in the workplace and in the home.
Fatalities continue to occur because the dangers associated with its use are not well understood.
There is no such thing as a minor electrical shock. They are all serious and potentially fatal
Electrical Safety Procedures
Always assume all electrical appliances are "live" until they are effectively isolated
Isolate, tag and test equipment before commencing work. Prove the isolation
Examine portable appliances ,extension leads and power plugs before you use them
Do not use defective equipment. Remove it from use, tag it out and report it
Make sure the power is off before removing a plug from a power point
Remove the plug by firmly grasping the plug & not the cable
Switch the power off before changing light bulbs
Do not operate portable electrical equipment while out in the rain or other wet areas
Replace worn extension leads. Never use PVC insulation tape to repair extension leads
Do not run leads over wet areas
Unwind long, cords before use to prevent overheating
Never allow tools or other objects to lie on extension leads or pull them over sharp objects
Do not place extension leads in hazardous areas where there is a likelihood of them being damaged,
crushed or cut and
Always use an RCD
Excavation work
When excavation work is to be carried out and buried power
cables or gas pipelines could be in the vicinity, their location
must be identified and approval must be obtained prior to
work commencing and a risk assessment conducted.
It is essential to:
Always keep a safe distance from the power lines;
Ensure work is conducted with any danger zone requirements in place;
Approach all power lines as if they were live and dangerous;
Never touch a collapsed or damaged power line, always remaining at a safe distance
Use a spotter when working within proximity to the power lines;
Pay attention at all times.
Always look up particularly when travelling or working underneath the power lines.
Remember if another person comes into contact with power lines your first concern
is your own safety
Workers Compensation
If you are injured at work Workers Compensation (Compo) means
that you can receive medical treatment and assistance . All
employees have a right to workers compensation.
Workers Compensation will cover you for medical expenses and
wages to varying degrees and dependant on your circumstances.
There are defined procedures that you must follow to ensure that you
do not jeopardize your entitlement to workers compensation, these
include:
Reporting all workplace injuries (including minor ones)
Complete the relevant report form and claim for compensation
form as soon as possible after the incident or accident
Attach any medical certificates and expenses that occur as a result
of the incident that caused the injury
Keep a copy of all relevant documents
OHS COMMUNICATION
SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES AND COMMITTEES
Employees have the right to have a workplace occupational safety committee with elected employee
representatives and appointed employer representatives. Employees also have the right to elect a
safety and health representative. Consultation about safety and health matters is an important part of
the Safety Representatives role.
Safety Representatives are elected by the workforce and must complete an accredited course with in
the first 12 months of assuming the position.
Safety and Health Representatives are responsible only for safety and health in the workplace or that
part of the workplace that was agreed between the employer and employee delegates before their
election.
REFUSAL TO WORK
Employees can refuse to work providing they have a legitimate reason
to believe that continuing to work will risk injury to themselves or any
person in the workplace employees must advise the employer of this
refusal to work and the reason why they believe the job is unsafe.
The employer should modify the task to make it safe, give the
employee another job that is safe or discuss with the employee the
reasons why he or she believes the job is unsafe.
The employee should be satisfied that the job is safe before continuing
with the task. The employee should also advise fellow employees of
the hazard/s
It is important to note that the employees must not leave the workplace
without permission of the employer unless the workplace itself is unsafe.
The employer should offer the employee reasonable alternative work until
the issue is resolved.
WORKPLACE DOCUMENTATION
There are several types of OHS documents that should be at the workplace. These
documents provide information about health and safety information in the workplace
and provide a way hazards, incidents and injuries can be reported. You as an employee
or subcontractor have a right to inspect these documents in the workplace
Examples of these documents include:
Site Specific Safety Management Plan
This document gives an overall view of the hazards that could be encountered at the site and the
planned method to control these hazards. It will also include the points of contact after hours and in
case of emergency. This is used in conjunction with the JSA.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
MSDS exists for materials that are hazardous. The sheets are supplied by the manufacturer or supplier
and act as a register of all hazardous materials at the workplace.
JSA register
A register of all JSAs on the site should be maintained and available upon request by all employees.
Accident and Injury forms
These forms should be readily available at the site and must be completed in the event of an accident,
incident or injury at site.
Hazard report documents and forms
Hazard report forms should be readily available to all persons on site. Employees should be encouraged
to complete a hazard report form and pass to their supervisors as soon as practicable.
Policies must be clear and simple detail what the company expects. Procedures should reflect the policy and
outline instructions to be followed for achieving the objectives set out in the policy.
Policies and procedures must be well communicated to all employees as employees have a duty
of care to ensure that that act in accordance with the set out policies and procedures. For
example, if a company has developed a policy to ensure employees wear suitable personal
protective equipment such as a helmet or fall protection when working at heights, the employees
must follow and practice the safe working procedures. It is also important the company advises
all employees of these policies and procedures and ensure the employees fully understand what
is required of them.
For policies and procedures to work effectively, commitment is needed from both employers and employees.
Employers should:
Follow instructions
Report problems
SAFETY SIGNAGE
Safety signage is designed to draw attention to objects and situations affecting safety and
health. Each sign carries the same authority as a direct instruction from your supervisor.
Prohibition signs
These signs indicate an activity or action that is prohibited. They have a white background
and a red ring with a diagonal red line running through it.
Limitation signs
These signs place restriction or a limit through use of a number. For example maximum
speed or maximum number of people allowed in an Elevated Work Platform (EWP)
Mandatory signs
These signs indicate instruction that must be carried out. They have a white background
with a blue disc.
Danger signs
Warn of a particular hazard or hazardous condition that could be life threatening they have
the word danger in white letters on a red oval with a black background
Hazard warning signs
Warn of a particular hazard or hazardous condition that is not likely to be life threatening.
They have a yellow background with a black triangle.
Emergency information signs
They are signs indicating the location of emergency related equipment such as first aid kits
and emergency exits. They have a green background and white text.
Fire signs
These signs advise the location of fire alarms and fire fighting equipment. They have a red
background with white text.
There are two primary types of tags, personal danger tags and
out of service tags. Requirements for use may differ from each
workplace so it is important to become familiar with the work
site specific procedures and follow them at all times.
The tag should only removed by the person who put it there in the first
instance; and must be provided for each person working on the job (if
there are two or more people working together then each are required
to fill out a danger tag and each is to appropriately isolate it to the
equipment)
LOCKS
Locks are an additional safeguard for preventing the
equipment becoming operational during repair or
maintenance and normally are used in conjunction with a
personal danger tag.
BARRIER TAPES
These tapes are used to barricade areas to prevent access to the area
Hazard Warning Tape
This tape is used to advise that the segregated or barricaded area is
hazardous and employees should not enter the area unless they
have made themselves aware of all the hazards within the area
This tape is yellow and black
Danger Tape
This tape is used to restrict employees from entering the area. No
employee should enter any area segregated by danger tape unless
they have been approved in writing by the site supervisor.
This tape is red and white
RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES
The procedure for emergency response will be explained to you prior
to commencement of the work.
The key principles of these procedures are:
Remain calm
Contact your supervisor
State clearly and slowly
FIRST AID
Your employer has a legal responsibility to provide adequate
First Aid equipment and facilities in the workplace.
This includes access to trained first aiders.
A designated person should be appointed to be in charge of
the First Aid kit, they must be ready to provide first aid when
necessary.
You should know the name, contact number and workplace
location of the first aid officer or person to contact,
if you dont know ASK.
Your worksite should also have a first aid plan that details
workplace first aid procedures, and the location of first aid
equipment as part of the site specific safety management
plan.
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS
Why do we conduct investigations after the accident ?This is
extremely important in helping to prevent future accidents.
Investigations are not undertaken to blame, but to discover the causes, so it is unlikely
to happen again. Anyone involved in the accident investigation should undertake as
soon as possible.
The size of the accident depends on the formation of the team to do the investigation.
Those likely to be involved range from the safety and health representative, employer,
employees and supervisors.
Cost of accidents
Failure to prevent accidents can lead to undesirable
outcomes such as:
Injury or death.
Damage to machinery or property
Low morale
Absence and loss of experienced staff members
Unemployment and loss of wages
Workers compensation claims resulting in higher
insurance premiums
Possible prosecution
DISEASES
Most workplaces have minimal risk of the transmission of infectious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis or other viruses.
Where there is a possibility that workers will be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids, there is a potential for the
transmission of viruses. Some activities have an increased risk for example a site cleaner might be exposed to sanitary
waste left in a toilet.
You should ensure that:
You dont do anything which may expose you or another person to an infectious disease
FATIGUE
The most common cause of fatigue is not enough quality sleep. Most people need 7 to 8 hours of unbroken sound
quality sleep to be able to function to their potential. Some people can survive satisfactorily with a little less and some
people a little more.
We need to be mindful of our level of alertness. Our body has what is called a circadian cycle which assists us to sleep
at night time and remain awake in the daytime. As a consequence of this cycle we have reduced periods of alertness.
Human alertness is at its lowest between 2am and 6am and between 2pm and 4pm.
One in five major road accidents are related to fatigue. Imagine what possible percentage of workplace injuries and
incidents are related to fatigue.
EXERCISE
Regular exercise is becoming increasingly important as equipment and technology takes more physical exertion out of
workplace activities. You should establish a regular exercise pattern and maintain it as a minimum.
FOOD
Most people should be aware of the importance of a regular balanced diet. We should avoid greasy foods especially
at night and limit or avoid too much coffee, tea or drinks containing caffeine in the evenings.
HOUSEKEEPING
Practising good housekeeping reduces accidents and injuries in the workplace, especially those
resulting from slips, trips and falls. Slipping and tripping is a major cause of workplace injury with
many accidents resulting in broken bones. They often result in other injuries like falls from heights
and can be fatal.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Atmospheric Pollutants
Dust, fumes , oil and other toxic discharges can
be damaging to your health and to the
environment
The atmosphere is a crucial factor for long term
survival and you should make every effort to
protect your health and prevent pollution of the
environment
Pollution
The preservation of our water resources is everyones
responsibility.
Duty of care to the environment is not to allow any substance to
be disposed of in drains or be allowed to contaminate any
waterway. All substances must be disposed of in accordance with
the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Safety glasses
There are various types of eye protection available and it is important that the
correct type is used. Eye protection is a major consideration especially when
working in dusty or windy environments or when using power tool. Eye protection
must comply with standards particularly AS/NZS 1337 and AS/NZS 1338.
Hearing protection
Noise induced hearing loss is a major health and safety concerning the building
and construction industry and is one of the least considered risks in the
workplace.
Short term exposure to loud noise can cause damage to your hearing
There are two main types of hearing protection, ear plugs and ear muffs. When fitting ear plugs particular care must be taken to ensure that
the plugs are fitted correctly and the plugs and your hands are clean when fitting. Dirty hands or plugs can result in ear infections.
Ear muffs should be clean and precautions should be taken to ensure they fit correctly and are maintained prior to use.
Note: In the 10 years to 2001, construction workers had the highest hearing loss among industry sectors other than mining.
A good rule of thumb to indicate when you need to wear hearing protection is:
IF YOU NEED TO RAISE YOUR VOICE TO UNDERSTAND A PERSON STANDING AT 1 METRE OR ARMS LENGTH DUE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL
NOISE, THE NOISE LEVEL MAY BE 85DB OR ABOVE AND HEARING PROTECTION SHOULD BE WORN.
Safety boots
Safety Footwear must have non slip tread and be well
maintained, worn with securely tied laces or be elastic sided
and must be worn at all times in designated areas.
Steel capped boots provides protection against heavy items
being dropped on feet, stubbed toes, stepping on nails or sharp
objects. Safety footwear comes in the form of full ankle
support boots or may look like an average dress shoe.
Safety gloves
All gloves must be appropriate for the job and fit correctly.
There are many types of hand protection available from
disposable gloves to heavy industrial gloves. Loose gloves can
catch on items and reduce handling ability. Tight gloves can
restrict movement. Gloves should be easily removed in case of
injury. Poorly fitting or inappropriate types for the purpose can
contribute to hand fatigue
Protective clothing
Overalls, reflective or Hi Viz vests, wet weather jackets and
pants are all protective clothing. Body contour fitting
clothing is very important so it can not become caught in
any machinery that has moving parts. Loose clothing may
be suitable when working outside in high temperatures to
protect the skin from the sun and to allow airflow.
Wearing jewellery including rings and chains can present a
significant danger in relation to machinery and moving
objects.
Respiratory Protection
This is protection against dust, fumes, smoke and fibres that
could be detrimental to your health. There are many types
of respiratory protection, the most common being the dust
mask, which filters out airborne particles before they are
inhaled. These are generally used against nuisance dusts
that are not deemed toxic but can upset respiratory
function. It is crucial the equipment is well maintained and
replaced when necessary and appropriate for the type of
hazard you are trying to guard against and the equipment
complies with the correct standard and MSDS.
PROTECTIVE MEASURES- WEAR OR USE Tightly woven clothing that covers as much skin as possible, such as long sleeve
shirts and trousers
Sunscreen (SPF30+) at all times on skin areas that could be exposed
A large hat or a wide brim and neck flaps fitted to your safety helmet to protect
exposed areas
Sunglasses or tinted safety glasses to protect your eyes from the sun, reflection and
glare
Work outside whenever possible to limit your exposure to the sun particularly
when UV radiation is most intense- middle of the day
Sun block should be worn at all time when exposed
FIRE SAFETY
From a personal safety point of view and damage to property, fires continue to be a major
concern both in the community and in industry plant and equipment. Property losses
attributed to fires cost many millions of dollars annually.
Many fires could be prevented by better housekeeping and an increased awareness of the
likelihood of a fire when proper safety measures are not taken.
These three factors combined in the right quantity give us a chemical chain reaction or
combustion of a fire
spills, cleaning rags, paper, matches and cigarette butts by Put all rubbish and waste in bins
At all times keep aisles and exits clear
Ensure safety signage in any restricted areas such as chemical
storage areas is observed.
Do not store flammable materials near timbered areas, or electrical
equipment
Do not leave flammable materials, cleaning rags, on motors
When transporting flammable materials keep them in sealed
containers and ventilated at all times.
Any spillage of chemicals clean up immediately.
Smoke in an unauthorised area or within ten (10) metres of any
flammable materials storage area and dispose of butts correctly.
Make sure of the availability of a water supply, suitable fire
extinguishers and a fire blanket when welding, cutting, grinding or
other hot machine work is being done.
Fighting a Fire
Make sure fire brigade has been called. Before you even consider fighting a fire, you must ensure
that all persons in the area are alerted and have left, or leaving. Whether or not you should fight
a fire depends on your own safety, as portable fire extinguishers offer only sufficient fire fighting
agent to fight a relatively small fire. It may be more effective and safer for you to leave the fire to
the fire brigade. If you leave a fire, close off the area as you go. If you do propose to fight a fire:
Be certain that the fire is contained to a small area and is not spreading beyond the
immediate area.
Be sure that your back is to a safe and unobstructed exit, and the fire cannot spread to
block your path.
Be sure that the extinguisher you use is of the proper type and size.
A Good acronym to remember if you are going to attempt to fight a fire is PASS
P
Pull the Pin Break the seal and test the extinguisher
Aim at the base of the fire ensure you have a means of escape
Types of Fire
Fires are classified according
to the type of material that
is burning. It is essential that
you be aware of the type of
extinguisher you must use if
a fire starts in your
workplace.
PLACEMENT OF EXTINGUISHERS
Fire extinguishers should be placed near to where they may be used.
However, they should not be so close that a fire will prevent you from
reaching the extinguisher. It is a requirement that extinguishers be
clearly visible with an approved indicator sign placed above.
Replacing used Extinguishers If you use a fire extinguisher advise your
supervisor who will arrange for its prompt replacement. An empty
extinguisher MUST NEVER be returned to the hanger and should be
given to the supervisor or stores person.