NSW Construction Induction Green Card Written by Tony Vinckx

OHS Framework NSW OHS Act 2000 Principal law OHS Regulation 2001 Accompanies the Act and provides details about specific parts of the Act Codes of Practice and Australian Standards Provide practical guidance about the implementation of legislation

Objectives of the NSW OHS Act 2000 Promote the health, safety and welfare of people at work Protect people against risks at work Promote a safe and healthy work environment Provide for consultation between employers and employees Identify, assess, eliminate and control hazards Promote community awareness of OHS issues Improve OHS standards over time Protect people against risks from equipment used in public places

What is construction work? Excavation Building work Civil engineering works

OHS Responsibilities of Employers Ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees through: Safe work premises/work environment Safe plant and substances Safe systems of work Adequate provision of information, instruction, training and supervision Adequate facilities for employees Ensure the health, safety and welfare of others at work through: Not exposing visitors to risks

OHS Responsibilities of People in Control of Work Premises Ensure the premises is safe and without risks to health Ensure safe access and exit from the premises Maintain and repair the premises Note: There are also responsibilities for people in control of plant and substances

OHS Responsibilities of Principal Contractors Ensure OHS induction training is undertaken Prepare and maintain OHS management plans Ensure safe work method statements are available, up-to-date, and followed Maintain the site hazardous substances register

OHS Responsibilities of Designers, Manufacturers and Suppliers Provide safe plant and substances without risk to health when properly used Provide adequate information about plant and substances to ensure safe use

OHS Responsibilities of Employees You must: Take reasonable care Cooperate with your employer You must not: Misuse plant or processes Obstruct aid to an injured worker Create a risk to the health and safety of others

WorkCover Assistance Service Where to Get Help WorkCover Assistance Service Phone 13 10 50

WorkCover Notices Investigation Notices Improvement Notices (following an incident) Improvement Notices (warning notice to remedy breach) Prohibition Notice (stop dangerous activity immediately) Penalty Notices (on-the-spot fines)

What is Consultation? Sharing relevant OHS information with employees Giving employees the opportunity to express their views on OHS issues Taking employee views into account when making OHS decisions

Types of OHS Consultation OHS committee and/or OHS representative or Other agreed arrangements

Resolving OHS Workplace Issues Step 1: Your Supervisor Step 2: Your OHS Committee or Representative Step 3: Your WorkCover Inspector

Safety Signs – Examples NO SMOKING HEAD PROTECTION MUST BE WORN SPEED RESTRICTION 5 km/h FIRE HAZARD HIGH VOLTAGE FIRST AID FIRE ALARM

Safety Signs HEARING PROTECTION MUST BE WORN WARNING: FORKLIFT Example MEANING HEARING PROTECTION MUST BE WORN WARNING: FORKLIFT WARNING: TOXIC EMERGENCY EXIT DIGGING PROHIBITED FIRE BLANKET EMERGENCY EYEWASH PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR MUST BE WORN FIRE EXTINGUISHER DANGER: CONFINED SPACE

Safety Tags Warning Tag Danger Tag (Hazard) (Life Threatening Hazard) Out of Service Signed _________ WARNING Do Not Operate Signed _________ DANGER

Work Induction covers Common hazards, risks and risk control measures relevant to work activity Participation in process of hazard identification, risk assessment and control OHS legislation and Codes of Practice relevant to the work activity Overview of industry health and safety performance Safe work methods to be used Correct use, handling, storage and transport of plant Correct use, handling, storage and transport of hazardous substances Electrical safety

What is a Hazard? A hazard is ANYTHING (including work practices or procedures) that has the potential to harm the health and safety of a person

What is Risk? Risk is a combination of the LIKELIHOOD of the hazard causing harm and the CONSEQUENCES if it does so

Hazpak Risk Assessment Model

Hierarchy of Risk Control Eliminate the hazard or, if not reasonably practicable Control the risk Substitution Isolation Engineering controls Administrative controls Personal protective equipment

Safe Work Method Statement – Retaining Wall

Workplace Emergencies An emergency is an actual or imminent occurrence such as an accident, earthquake, explosion, fire, flood or storm which: Endangers or threatens to endanger the health and safety of persons or Destroys or damages, or threatens to destroy or damage property

First Aid Equipment FIRST AID KIT FIRST AID ROOM EMERGENCY SHOWER EMERGENCY EYEWASH

Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 The aims of the Act are to: Effectively and actively manage injuries Compensate workers who suffer injuries arising from their employment Provide necessary medical and vocational rehabilitation for injured workers Promote the return to work of injured workers as soon as possible

Making a Claim for Workers Compensation Notify your employer of your injury or illness and record in your workplace register of injuries Notify your insurer of your injury or illness Insurer will commence provisional payments (within 7 days of notification) Submit medical certificate and relevant paperwork (eg. workers compensation claim form) to insurer Insurer will accept or reject claim

WorkCover Claims Assistance Service The Claims Assistance Service will deal with matters where: A worker wishes to notify of a significant injury but is unable to do so (cannot contact or identify their employer) There is a problem which may lead to a dispute Intervention or assistance is required Phone 13 10 50

Employee Rights and Obligations Your rights You cannot be victimised for making a workers compensation claim Your employer must make suitable duties available to you Your Obligations Supply all relevant information to your employer and insurer Do not make any false or misleading statements Inform your insurer of additional employment or income while receiving compensation benefits Comply with the requirements of your injury management plan and return to work plan

Workplace Injury Management Injury Management Plan Developed by the insurer, employer, injured worker and treating doctor (significant injury) Aims to promote a timely and safe return to work Return to Work Plan Developed by employer, injured worker, treating doctor and rehabilitation provider Describes physical restrictions, suitable duties, hours worked and supervision arrangements

Thank your for time! Written by Tony Vinckx