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Safety documentation is an important part of risk management on construction sites. It identifies potential on-site hazards and outlines the processes and procedures needed to prevent accidents. It protects the safety of your staff and the reputation of your company, making it just as important as carrying out the work to a high standard.
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has a responsibility to minimise worksite risks, and creating safety documents for construction is part of that obligation.
While a construction safety management plan is a necessity in an industry filled with hazards and risks, every PCBU has responsibilities under WHS laws. Over the last decade or so, there have been more than 1880 traumatic injury fatalities in Australian workplaces, and almost 1.2 million workers have made significant workers’ compensation claims involving more than a week of lost working time.
The majority of fatalities and claims occur in just six industries, one of which is construction. While no one in business can afford to take safety lightly, completing a strong safety plan for your construction site is of the highest level of importance in this industry. However, it’s not the only document you require.
If you need more information about safety documents for construction or you’re wondering how to obtain the right plans and permits, SSTC can help. A trusted name among some of Australia’s largest construction companies, we have more than 50 years of combined experience and an in-depth knowledge of safety documents for construction. Here’s our guide to why proper safety documentation matters so much for your site.
Safety documents for construction are more than just slips of paper. They’re essential for construction companies looking to protect the safety of their workers and maintain their reputations. Here are the reasons that having a strong safety plan for your construction site is just as important as the quality of the work itself:
Documents like Safe Work Method Statements and Risk Assessments are used to identify potential hazards and risks and implement the most effective measures to control or eliminate them. Safety documents reduce the risk of accidents and injuries and help to prevent adverse impacts on workers’ health.
PCBUs in the construction industry are required by law to minimise risks and ensure a safe workplace as best they can. This includes implementing the necessary safety plans.
Safety documents are an essential strategy for ensuring that instructions are clear, concise, and easy for everyone on the team to understand.
Employees are more likely to be motivated when you show them you genuinely care about their safety. Clear, well-established safety procedures help to create a culture where safety standards are valued and upheld, and employee morale is high.
There are a number of different safety documents required for construction, including:
Before a construction project commences, the principal contractor has to prepare a Work Health and Safety Management (WHS) Plan to ensure compliance with WHS laws. In this particular business, this document may also be known as a construction safety management plan. Key aspects of the plan include the names, positions and safety responsibilities of everyone at the workplace, risk management processes and site-specific health and safety rules.
An emergency plan provides workers and others in the vicinity with written instructions to follow in case of an emergency. This plan should account for fires, explosions, bomb threats, incidents with hazardous chemicals and natural disasters and include emergency responses, evacuation procedures, communication strategies and approaches to medical treatment.
A PCBU engaged in high-risk construction work has additional WHS responsibilities, and one of these is to prepare a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS). The list of what constitutes high-risk construction work is extensive. It includes work that involves a risk of falling more than two metres, work that involves asbestos, and work carried out in or near a confined space, among other criteria. A SWMS needs to outline the nature of these high-risk activities, the hazards that may arise from these activities and how the PCBU plans to control these hazards. Safe Work Australia has an information sheet to help you prepare your own SWMS.
Any construction project operating on or near a roadway needs a construction traffic management plan (CTMP). This document outlines the measures and processes that will be put in place to ensure the safety of workers and minimise disruption to road users. A CTMP typically includes traffic routing, detour plans and safety measures for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
A traffic control plan (TCP) is an important tool that helps traffic controllers safely direct traffic around construction sites, temporary road closures and other hazards. TCPs include both traffic management staff and traffic management equipment such as street signs, roadworks, traffic signals and communication devices.
A construction risk assessment is a process used to identify and mitigate risks that could affect a construction project. These include safety hazards, financial risks and potential legal and environmental breaches. Identifying and proactively managing these risks not only makes your worksite safer but also helps prevent delays and legal issues.
Everyone who works in construction needs a white card, including construction workers, site managers, supervisors and regular visitors to construction sites. The process begins with completing general construction induction training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
If you’re as serious about safety as you need to be in the construction industry, SSTC can help you obtain the correct permits and enforce the necessary plans.
With over 50 years of combined planning experience, SSTC has established strong relationships with local councils and other organisations. We’re a one-stop shop for documentation and can provide you with permits from council, RMS, STA, police, airport, TMC and more.
Working closely alongside your team, SSTC can create safety documents for construction, including Construction Traffic Management Plans, Traffic Control Plans, Swept Path Diagrams, vehicle management plans, dilapidation reports and more. We know there’s plenty to consider at the beginning of a construction project, so we provide you with the most reliable access available to local councils. If you don’t yet know what licences, approvals, plans and permits you need, we have an in-house authority liaison to help you make the right choice.
We understand the importance of maintaining safe and efficient traffic flow, so our team tailors comprehensive Construction Traffic Management Plans and Traffic Control Plans to your needs. Our in-house, accredited planners can provide you with all the necessary requirements for council development approvals, building approvals, and other clearances.
Safety is paramount for SSTC, and our team is fully trained and certified in traffic control and management, using only the latest equipment and technology. With a rigorous approach to discipline and maintaining high standards, we ensure your construction project is as safe as possible from start to finish.
To obtain the right documentation and strengthen safety protocol in your construction environment, get in touch with the SSTC team for a free quote.