Post on 11-May-2015
WorkCover. Watching out for you.
BUILDING THE EDUCATION REVOLUTION – OHS
ISSUES
Presentation to School Principals
5 June 2009
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Outline
Role of WorkCover
Principal Contractor provisions
BER Specific Initiatives and Issues
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Role of WorkCover
WorkCover NSW manages the State's workplace safety, injury management, and workers compensation systems.
We work in partnership with the New South Wales community to achieve safe workplaces,
effective return to work and security for injured workers
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Assisting Compliance
Confirmation of Advice FormsInformation and awareness
Consultation with stakeholdersAdvisory and technical servicesTargeted Prevention programs
Economic IncentivesRegistration, notification, licensing and certification
Verifying compliance
Improvement Notices Incident investigation
Targeted Workplace inspectionsAudits
Sanctions
Penalty noticesAdministrative actions
Prohibition NoticesCriminal & other proceedings
Court orders
HOW WE DO ITHOW WE DO IT THE THE
IMPROVEMENT IMPROVEMENT PYRAMIDPYRAMID
WorkCover. Watching out for you.
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Principal Contractor
Responsible for the construction work at all times until completed.
Generally has control of worksite
General duties under OHS Act 2000
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Principal Contractor
Chapter 8 of OHS Regulation 2001
Clauses 210 & 226
Must be appointed over $250 000
or high risk work < $250 000
Demolition or asbestos removal work
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High Risk Work
Structural alterations requiring temporary support Working above 3.0 m* Excavation more than 1.5 m Demolition work without license Tunnels, explosives, over water Near roads and moving plant Around gas or electrical installations
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Principal Contractor duties
Prepare Site Specific Safety Management Plan >$250 000
Ensure sub-contractors provide Safe Work Method Statements and work in accordance with them.
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Principal Contractor duties
Ensure that OHS inductions are carried out and records kept
Ensure that a Hazardous Substances register is implemented and maintained.
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For High Risk Work
Principal Contractor appointed
Safe work method statements submitted by contractors and reviewed for adequacy by principal contractor
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Top 5 Risks
Falls from height
Being struck by falling objects
Electrical
Plant
Structural collapse
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WORK AT SCHOOLS – OUR EXPERIENCE
There will be complaints
Asbestos
Working at height
Traffic management
Site Security
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WORKCOVER RESPONSE
Communication and complaint handling protocols
Appointment of Business Relationship Officers (Lead Inspectors) for each region or principal contractor
Minimisation of “red-tape”
Eg Waiving of notice period for asbestos removal in case of unexpected finds
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Risk “Workshop”
Refer to document
Building the Education Revolution – Project OHSE Risks/Hazards
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Recently…
Unplanned contact with hidden electrical, gas or telecommunication services
Local emergency services not advised of changed site conditions (access points) because of construction activity
Children or other persons at risk of being hit by moving plant or other vehicles accessing or exiting the site
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More information
Robert Mayell
WorkCover NSW
Hurstville Office
Ph 9598 3334 or 0413 451432
Or 13 10 50
www.workcover.nsw.gov.au