Construction, Demolition & Excavation Works Doc Reference: DoMN-WHSMS 3.14 Version Number: 2.2

Transcription

1 Purpose This procedure provides guidance to the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle (DoMN), principal contractors and other persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who commission or carry out construction, demolition and/or excavation works on how to meet the health and safety requirements under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulations (NSW) 2017 relating to construction, demolition and excavation works. Scope This procedure applies to all workers of the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle (DoMN) and to all DoMN properties, work sites and workplaces. As a minimum, Agencies should consult the Codes of Practice for Construction and related activities and establish a process for the management of construction, demolition and excavation works. Definitions and Terms Term Competent Person Construction Project Construction Work Demolition Work DoMN Excavation Excavation Work High Risk Construction Work HSR PCBU PPE Structure Definition A person who has acquired through training, qualification or experience the knowledge and skills to carry out the task. A project that involves construction work where the cost of the construction work is $250,000 or more. Any work carried out in connection with the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting-out, commissioning, renovation, repair, maintenance, refurbishment, demolition, decommissioning or dismantling of a structure. Demolition work and excavation work are included in the definition of construction work. Work to demolish or dismantle a structure, or part of a structure that is loadbearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure, but does not include the dismantling of formwork, false work, or other structures designed or used to provide support, access or containment during construction work. Diocese of Maitland Newcastle. A trench, tunnel or shaft, but does not include a mine, bore or a trench for use as a place of interment. Work to make an excavation, or fill or partly fill an excavation. High risk construction work includes specific types of construction work as defined in Regulation 291 of the WHS Regulation 2017 (NSW). Health and Safety Representative. Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking. Personal Protective Equipment. Anything that is constructed, whether fixed, moveable, temporary or permanent including: buildings, masts, towers, framework, pipelines, transport infrastructure and underground works (shafts or tunnels), for example noise reduction barriers on a freeway, communications masts or towers, electricity transmission towers and associated cables, flying cables and supports, guyed towers such as a ski-lift tower; any component of a structure; and part of a structure. Minor revision: February 2018 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 1

2 Term SWMS SWI SWP Underground Essential Services Underground Essential Services Information WHS Workplace Definition Safe Work Method Statement. Safe Work Instruction Safe Work Practice. Essential services that use pipes, cables or other associated plant located underground. In relation to proposed excavation work, means the following information about underground essential services that may be affected by the excavation: The essential services that may be affected; The location, including the depth, of any pipes, cables or other plant associated with the affected essential services; and Any conditions on the proposed excavation work. Work Health and Safety. Anywhere that work is actively being conducted. Responsibilities Position Responsibilities Senior Managers Consult with the designer of the whole or any part of the structure about how to ensure that risks to health and safety arising from the design during the construction work are eliminated, so far as is reasonably practicable, or if it is not reasonably practicable, risks are minimised. Such consultation must include giving the designer any information that the person has in relation to the hazards and risks at the workplace where the construction work is to be carried out; Take all reasonable steps to obtain a copy of the designer s safety report if they did not themselves commission the design of the construction project; If they engage another person as principal contractor, give the principal contractor any information they have in relation to hazards and risks at or in the vicinity of the workplace where the construction work is to be carried out; When demolition work is proposed to be carried out, written notice must be given to the Regulator at least five (5) days before the work commences; and Obtain current underground essential services information about areas where excavation work will be carried out. Principal Contractors Display appropriate safety signage for the construction project; Prepare WHS management plans for the workplace when construction projects are carried out; Verify that the following specific risks: the storage, movement and disposal of construction materials and waste; the storage of plant that is not in use; traffic in the vicinity of the workplace that may be affected; and essential services are managed; Provide all relevant WHS documentation to DoMN management when appropriate or as requested, including SWMS and incident reports; Verify that all workers who attend DoMN sites under their direction complete the applicable Site Specific Induction for the site before starting work; Appoint site manager/s for the project under their direction and control to Minor revision: February 2018 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 2

3 ensure the site is operated efficiently and safely; Ensure that hazards are identified, risk assessments done, effective controls are applied, and that work is carried out in accordance with the SWMS particularly for high risk work activities on the construction site. WHS Manager Verify that general construction induction training has been provided to workers engaged by the person who is carrying out construction work; Ensure that any workplace where construction work is being undertaken is secured from unauthorised access; Support managers in identifying and reducing risks to health and safety when construction, demolition and/or excavation works are being carried out; Verify that essential services information for excavation work is provided to any person engaged to carry out the excavation work before work is started; Ensure the principal contractor prepares and maintains a SWMS for all construction works, identifying WHS risks and controls, and obtain a copy; Obtain a copy of the WHS management plan from the principal contractor; when construction projects are carried out; Consult with workers in construction work and construction projects; and Ensure that all construction workers who attend DoMN sites complete the applicable Site Specific Induction for the specific site. Construction Site Manager Ensure appropriate safety signage for the construction project is displayed; Follow WHS management plans for the workplace when construction projects are carried out; Manage the following specific risks: the storage, movement and disposal of construction materials and waste; the storage of plant that is not in use; traffic in the vicinity of the workplace that may be affected; and essential services; Ensure all relevant WHS documentation is provided to DoMN management when appropriate or as requested, including incident reports and SWMS; Ensure that all workers who attend DoMN sites under the direction of the principal contractor have completed the applicable Site Specific Induction; Manage workers on the project under the direction of the principal contractor; Verify competency, risk assessments, SWMS, etc. of workers under the direction of the principal contractor and that work is carried out in accordance with the SWMS particularly for high risk work activities. Health and Safety Consultation Committee Members and HSRs Engage in appropriate consultation processes at construction sites. Participate in the identification of construction work hazards, and the assessment and control of risks associated with construction work. Workers Take reasonable care for their own health and safety; Not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons; Comply with any reasonable instruction and cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure relating to health and safety at the workplace; and Undertake general construction induction training and keep their general construction induction training card or certification available for inspection. Principal Contractor Procedure 1. Managing Risks with Construction Work The risks associated with construction work must be managed following a systematic process that involves: Minor revision: February 2018 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 3

4 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 (when reviewing risk control measures, the SWMS must also be reviewed and revised where necessary). The risk management process must be conducted in consultation with workers (or with input from other key stakeholders i.e. a specialist resource where required) who work in the area of concern. Examples of construction work specific hazards include (but are not limited to): the construction workplace itself, including its location, layout, condition and accessibility; any design relating to the construction work; the use of ladders, incorrectly erected equipment, unguarded holes, penetrations and voids, unguarded excavations, trenches, shafts and lift wells, unstable structures such as incomplete scaffolding or mobile platforms, fragile and brittle surfaces such as cement sheet roofs, fibreglass roofs, skylights and unprotected formwork decks; falling objects, for example tools, debris and equipment; collapse of trenches; structural collapse; hazardous chemicals, including the handling, use, storage, and transport or disposal of hazardous chemicals; the presence of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACM) or other hazardous materials; welding fumes, gases and arcs; the traffic management system that controls traffic access both within the construction workplace and where there are public roads, road verges, road medians, footpaths and bicycle paths; systems of work; hazardous atmospheres including ignition sources; storage of flammable and combustible substances such as paints, solvents, grease, oils, fuels, glues and sealants; plant, including the transport, installation, erection, commissioning, use, repair, maintenance, dismantling, storage or disposal of plant; hazardous manual tasks causing injuries such as back injuries, sprains, strains and occupational overuse injuries; the interface with other works or trade activities; and the physical working environment, for example the potential for electric shock, immersion or engulfment, fire or explosion, slips, trips and falls, people being struck by moving plant, exposure to noise, heat, cold, vibration, radiation, static electricity or a contaminated atmosphere, and the presence of a confined space. 2. Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) When construction work is carried out, the Principal Contractor must ensure of the following: Ensure that a SWMS is prepared before the proposed high risk work commences; Make arrangements to ensure that the high risk construction work is carried out in accordance with the SWMS; Ensure that a copy of the SWMS is given to DoMN management and to all workers who attend DoMN sites under the direction of the principal contractor before the work commences; Ensure that the SWMS is reviewed and revised if necessary; and Keep a copy of the SWMS until the high risk construction work is completed. The WHS Manager must ensure the principal contractor prepares and maintains a SWMS for all construction works, identifying WHS risks and controls, and must ensure they receive a copy of all SWMS for high risk construction work. Minor revision: February 2018 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 4

5 3. WHS Management Plans for Construction Projects All construction projects must have a written WHS management plan prepared by the principal contractor before work on the construction project commences. A WHS management plan sets out the arrangements to manage work health and safety on a construction project and to ensure the risks associated with the construction project are managed effectively. The WHS management plan must be in writing. It should be easily understood by workers (including contractors and subcontractors). It may not be necessary to communicate the entire WHS management plan to all workers, however, they must be made aware of the parts that are applicable to the work they are carrying out including any exposure to the work of others on the site. The principal contractor must review and, as necessary, revise the WHS management plan to ensure it remains up-to-date and relevant for the construction project. Following the revision of a WHS management plan, if a process has changed, the principal contractor must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that each person carrying out construction work in connection with the construction project is made aware of any revisions to the WHS management plan. The WHS Manager should be provided with and keep a copy of the WHS management plan from the principal contractor; when construction projects are carried out for DoMN sites. 4. Information, Training, Instruction and Supervision A range of activities can assist in ensuring 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: site induction; workplace-specific training; pre-start meetings; toolbox talks; on-the-job instructions; or one-off sessions or events called for a specific purpose. Information and instruction are often provided at the same time. In addition, Managers (particularly Site Managers) will provide specific workplace instructions during the work, including for health and safety. All managers and supervisors should 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 before they attempt to do it. 4.1 General Construction Induction Training The Site Manager must verify that any person who is to carry out construction work has successfully completed general construction induction training. The Site Manager must not direct or allow the person to carry out the work unless this training has been completed and the general construction induction training card has been verified. 4.2 Construction Workplace Specific Training Construction workplace specific training aims to provide information about work health and safety issues and safe work practices that are specific to the construction workplace. It should be conducted by a competent person that has management or control at the workplace or by the principal contractor for the construction project. All workers 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. Other persons who may visit the workplace may also require some workplace specific training. Construction workplace specific training may cover the following: safety documents, policies and plans, including the WHS management plan and SWMS; Minor revision: February 2018 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 5

6 supervisory, consultation and reporting arrangements; workplace safety rules, including first aid provisions and emergency procedures; workplace facilities, including their location, use and maintenance; emergency procedures, including after-hours emergency contacts; health monitoring requirements and procedures; access, egress and security; workplace specific hazards and control measures; how safety issues are resolved, including health and safety representative arrangements; how to report hazards and unsafe work practices; how to report accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences; and what to do if a person is injured, including first aid provisions; that it is mandatory to contact the WHS manager immediately to discuss reporting of any Notifiable incidents to Safe Work NSW and to isolate and not disturb the incident area for investigations to be done. 5. General Workplace Management Arrangements DoMN is responsible for providing general workplace management arrangements i.e. for: providing a safe working environment; providing and maintaining adequate and accessible facilities; providing first aid; emergency planning; providing workers with PPE; remote or isolated work; managing risks associated with airborne contaminants; managing risks associated with hazardous atmospheres, including ignition sources; storage of flammable and combustible substances; and managing risks associated with falling objects. The aforementioned requirements should be applied by DoMN in consultation with the Principal Contractor, workers undertaking construction works and workers who work in the area of concern or are directly affected by the work (or with input from other key stakeholders i.e. a specialist resource where required). These requirements should be regularly monitored during periodic inspections. 6. Demolition Work When DoMN proposes to carry out any of the following demolition work, DoMN must ensure that written notice is given to the Regulator (e.g. SafeWork NSW) at least five (5) days before the work commences: Demolition of a structure, or a part of a structure that is loadbearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure, that is at least six (6) metres in height; Demolition work involving load shifting machinery on a suspended floor; or Demolition work involving explosives. Demolition work of certain types requires licensing in NSW and it is best to check with Safe Work NSW for further information. ( ) 7. Excavation Work Seniors Managers must take all reasonable steps to obtain current underground essential services information about the part of the workplace where excavation work will be carried out and any adjacent areas before directing or allowing the excavation work to commence. This information must be provided to any person engaged to carry out or direct the excavation work. This information must also be available for inspection in the following circumstances: Minor revision: February 2018 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 6

7 If a notifiable incident occurs in connection with the excavation work to which the information relates, for at least two (2) years after the incident occurs; and In every other case, until the excavation work is completed. DoMN must ensure that the Principal contractor manages risks to health and safety associated with excavation work including the following: a person falling into an excavation; a person being trapped by the collapse of an excavation; a person working in an excavation being struck by a falling thing; and a person working in an excavation being exposed to an airborne contaminant. In addition, if a trench of at least 1.5 metres deep is proposed to be excavated, DoMN ensure that the Principal contractor, so far as is reasonably practicable, keeps the work area is secure from unauthorised access (including inadvertent entry). DoMN must also ensure that the Principal contractor minimises the risk to any person arising from the collapse of the trench by conducting a specific risk assessment and by ensuring that all sides of the trench are adequately supported by doing one or more of the following: shoring by shielding or other comparable means; benching; battering; barricading the area; and/or displaying adequate signage. 8. Supervision and Monitoring of Construction Works and Projects DoMN must monitor, supervise and audit the activities of contractors and subcontractors in relation to construction works in collaboration with the principal contractor. In this purpose, the WHS Manager must ensure: Compliance with the WHS policies and procedures; Conformance with the SWMS, risk assessments, WHS management plan and Project Safety Plans (if applicable); Compliance with applicable WHS legislation, Codes and Standards. The WHS Manager must verify that the supervision requirements for each contract are adequate and ensure there is appropriate monitoring of contractors safety performance by: Undertaking regular workplace inspections; Reviewing WHS documentation (inspection and incident reports); Reviewing WHS performance at any contract review meetings; and Maintaining notes on supervisory visits and discussion with the contractor. Refer to DoMN-WHSMS 3.18 Contractor Management procedure for further guidance. References Work Health and Safety Act 2011 Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017 Construction Work Code of Practice (WorkCover NSW 2014) Demolition Work Code of Practice (SafeWork NSW 2016) Excavation Work Draft Code of Practice (WorkCover NSW 2015) How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice (WorkCover NSW, 2011) Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice (WorkCover NSW, 2011) Minor revision: February 2018 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 7