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*Name amended under Legislation Act, s 60 Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
Australian Capital Territory
Work Health and Safety (Formwork) Code of Practice 2011* Notifiable instrument NI 2011 – 770
made under the
Work Health and Safety Act 2011, section 274 (Approved Codes of Practice)
1 Name of instrument
This instrument is the Work Health and Safety (Formwork) Code of Practice 2011.
2 Commencement
This instrument commences on 1 January 2012.
3 Code of Practice Approval
Under section 274 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the Act), and being satisfied that this code of practice was developed in accordance with the process described in s274 (2) of the Act, I approve the ACT Work Health and Safety (Formwork) Code of Practice 2011.
Dr Chris Bourke Minister for Industrial Relations 15 December 2011
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WorkSafe ACT
2011
Code of Practice Formwork
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WhatisanACTCodeofPractice?
AnapprovedACTCodeofPracticeisapracticalguidetohelpworkersandbusinessesachievethestandardofhealth,safetyandwellbeingofpeoplerequiredbytheWorkHealthandSafetyAct2011andWorkSafetyRegulation2011.CodesofPracticeareapprovedbytheMinisterforIndustrialRelations.InapprovingeachCodeofPractice,theMinisterconsultstheACTWorkSafetyCouncil,atripartiteadvisorybodythatrepresentstheinterestsoflocalworkersandbusinessowners.WhatdoesthisCodeofPracticecover?
ThisCodeofPracticehasbeendevelopedbyWorkSafeACTandtheACTOfficeofIndustrialRelations.ThepurposeoftheCodeistoprovidebusinessesandworkerswithpracticaladvicetohelppreventinjurytoworkersandbystanderswhenerectinganddismantlingformworkandassociatedequipment.ThisCodehasbeenrecommendedforapprovalundertheWorkHealthandSafetyActbytheACTWorkSafetyCouncil.HowshouldIusethisCodeofPractice?
CodesofPracticeprovidepracticalguidanceonhowtocomplywithlegalduties.ThisCodeshouldbefollowedunlessanalternativecourseofactionresultsinthesamestandardofhealth,safetyandwellbeing,or,ahigherstandard,attheworkplace.ThisCodeoutlinessomerelevantlegalrequirementssetoutintheWorkHealthandSafetyActorWorkSafetyRegulation,and,recommendedcoursesofaction.Thewords‘must’,‘requires’or‘mandatory’indicatethatalegalrequirementmustbefollowed.CodesofPracticeshouldbeusedinconjunctionwiththeActandRegulation.Ifapersonisuncertainaboutwhattodo,theyshouldensuretheyhavecompliedwiththeActandRegulationfirst.WhileapersoncannotbeprosecutedfornotcomplyingwithaCode,aninspectororcourtcanconsiderwhetheraCodehasbeencompliedwithindecidingwhetherapersonhasmettheirlegalduties.
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TableofContents
1. Introduction.........................................................................................................................................4
2. Consultation.........................................................................................................................................5
3. PlanningandPreparation............................................................................................................7
4. WorkSystemsandControlMeasures.................................................................................13
5. PersonalProtectiveEquipment.............................................................................................24
6. TrainingandInstruction...........................................................................................................26
7. LegalRequirements......................................................................................................................28
Definitions..........................................................................................................................................31
FurtherInformation.....................................................................................................................34
Appendices.........................................................................................................................................35
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1. IntroductionThisCodeofPracticeistheACTCodeofPractice:Formwork(2011).Itprovidesadvicetohelppreventinjurytoworkersandotherpeopleasaresultoferectinganddismantlingformworkandassociatedequipment.Itcoversthedesign,planning,preparationandconductofworkforerectinganddismantlingformwork(andassociatedequipment).Formworkisaninherentlyhighriskactivity.Itusuallyinvolvesworkatheightsoverrough,unevenorpossiblyunstableterrainwhereotherbuildingmaterialsandequipmentareoftenpresent.Itmayalsoinvolvemulti‐storeywork,withtheassociatedrisksofstructuralcollapseorobjectsfallingonworkersandbystanders.PastincidentsinvolvingformworkintheACTdemonstratethatpeoplefallingfromformworkorcaughtinaformworkcollapsearelikelytobeseriouslyinjured.ThisCodeofPracticecommenceson1January2011.Itisapprovedundersection18(1)oftheWorkHealthandSafetyAct2011bytheMinisterforIndustrialRelationsontherecommendationoftheACTWorkSafetyCouncil.TheWorkHealthandSafetyAct2011replacedtheformerOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct1989intheTerritoryon1October2011.Itisamodernlawthatreflectsbestpracticeandaddressesbothemergingsafetyissuesandcontemporaryworkarrangements.TheActsetsoutageneralframeworkforthehealth,safetyandwellbeingofpeopleatwork.TheWorkSafetyRegulation2011providesfurtherdetailonspecifichazardsandforparticularworkplaces.TheActisalsosupportedbyCodesofPracticeandguides.ForfurtherinformationonhowworksafetylawsoperateintheACTrefertoAppendixA.
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2. ConsultationConsultationhappens:
whenanemployerraisessafetyissueswiththeirworkersandgivesthemareasonableopportunitytoexpresstheirviewsbeforemakingadecision;and
whenanemployerisapproachedandtakesworkerviewsintoaccountwhenmakingadecision
Consultationusuallyresultsinfindingthebestsolutionstoaproblemthroughagenuineexchangeofideas.Consultationhelpstoresolveissuesquickly,improveworkersatisfaction,increasesproductivityandensuresdecisionsareproperlyimplemented.Consultationisnotanegotiationasitdoesnotremovetherightoftheemployertomanageanddoesnotrequireanagreementtobereached.Thatsaid,itisnotjusttellingworkerswhattheiremployerhasalreadydecided.Itinvolvesseekingoutandlisteningtoworkersbeforedecisionsaremadeandtakingworker’sviewsintoaccount.Effectiveconsultationcreatesagenuinepartnershipbetweenemployersandworkersformanagingworksafetyrisks.Consultationisanessentialpartofeverystepintheriskmanagementprocess.Itisnotaone‐offactivity–itshouldhappenregularlysoworkersknowhowtoraiseworksafetyissuesandtelltheiremployerifsomethingisnotrightonsite(suchas‘nearmisses’)andcanfeelassuredtheiremployerwilltaketheirinterestsintoaccount.Consultationduringformwork
AllpeopleengagedintheerectionordismantlingofformworkshouldconsulteachotherwhenimplementingtherecommendationsofthisCodeandensuringworksafetybymanagingrisk.Thismeansconsultationshouldinclude:
anypersonorbusinesscommissioningrelevantwork; theprincipalcontractor; theformworksubcontractor; engineersprovidingadviceandassessmentsatallstagesoftheworks; anyotherexpertassistingwithdesign,planning,constructionordismantling; anyotherpersonconductingabusinessorundertakingthatisinvolved;and workers(andtheirrepresentatives).
Theconsultationprocessshouldbefirstusedduringtheplanningandpreparationstagetodeterminesafesystemsofworkbasedonanassessmentofrisks.Designers(whichmayincludedevelopers,architectsandstructuralengineers)shouldbeinvolvedintheconsultationprocesswhenappropriate.Theconsultationprocessshouldinvolvediscussionofthefollowingfactors:
• natureofthework,• theplannedstagingprocessforthework;• thetypeofformtobeused;• theheightoftheformworktobeerected;• thesizeoftheformworkdeck;• availabilityofequipment;
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• interactionwithothertradesandworkplaces;• workplaceaccess;• publicsafety;and• thelocationofintermediateworkingdecks.
Since2011,theWorkHealthandSafetyActhasrequiredallemployerstoconsulttheirworkersaboutworksafetyissues,nomatterhowmanyworkerstheyhave.Eachbusinessowner(‘employer’)hastoconsulteverypersontheyengagetoperformwork,whethertheyareatraditional‘employee’ornot.Therearealsonewflexibleconsultationoptionstomeettheneedsofdifferenttypeofworkplaces.WorkSafetyRepresentatives
OneoptiontoconsultworkersistoarrangeforthemtoelectaWorkSafetyRepresentative(alsocalledahealthandsafetyrepresentative).Thispersonwouldthenspeakfor,andto,theworkersaboutworksafetyissues(suchaspotentialrisksonsite).Oncetheyareelectedandhavecompletedprescribedtraining(seetheWorkSafetyRegulation),aRepresentativehasspecificpowersanddutiesundertheWorkHealthandSafetyAct.ARepresentativeisusuallyaworker.However,ifnoworkeriswilling,anothertrainedpersoncanbeelectedifagreedbytheemployer.ThiscouldallowaRepresentativetobeelectedformorethanoneemployeronasinglesiteoracrossmorethanonesiteatthesametime.AnemployermustarrangeforaRepresentativetobeelectedifmorethanhalfoftheworkersaskforone,or,ifWorkSafeACTdirectsthatemployer(oreveryemployerintheirindustry)tohaveaRepresentative.Failingtodosoisanoffence.WorkSafetyCommittees
WorkSafetyCommitteesareanotherwaytoconsultworkers.Committeesareaneffectivewaytooversightworksafetyatahighlevel,particularlyforlargeemployersandforworkplaceswithalargenumberofemployers.ACommitteecanbemadeupofworkers,employerrepresentativesandanyWorkSafetyRepresentatives.ACommitteecanbeformedacrossmultipleworksitesand/ormultipleemployers.AWorkSafetyCommitteecan:
• giveinformation,ideasandfeedbacktoanemployeraboutbestpractice;• provideaforumfortheemployertoraiseworksafetyconcerns;• encourageworkerstotakeaninterestinworksafetyissuesattheirworkplace;• reviewthecircumstancesofinjuries,diseasesandseriousincidentsatwork;
andmakerecommendationstotheemployer;and• undertakeotheractivitiesagreedbetweentheemployerandCommitteethatthe
Committeemembershavesuitablequalificationsandtrainingtodealwith.AnemployermustarrangeforaCommitteetobeelectedifmorethanhalfoftheworkersaskforone,or,ifWorkSafeACTdirectsthatemployer(oreveryemployerintheirindustry)tohaveaCommittee.Failingtodosoisanoffence.Whoisresponsibleforconsultation?
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Iftherearemultipleemployersatoneworkplace(suchasonaconstructionsite)eachemployermustensurethattheirworkersareconsulted.Forexample,theprincipalcontractorandeachsubcontractormustconsultalltheworkerstheyhaveengaged.Themosteffectiveandconvenientapproachwheretherearecomplexcontractorarrangementsmightbeforeachsub‐contractortosetuptheirownarrangements,andfortheprincipalcontractortoconsulttheirsub‐contractors.Forfurtherdetailonconsultation,pleaserefertotheACTWorkSafetyCommissioner’sguidancematerial,WorkplaceArrangements(ADetailedGuide)(September2011).3. PlanningandPreparationFormworkSystems
Traditionalformworksystemsweremadeonsitefromtimberorplywood.Inadditiontotraditionalsystems,modularsystemsarealsoavailablethatarespeciallydesignedandmanufacturedoff‐site.Thesesystemsusuallyhaveproprietaryformworkcomponentsandratedloadcalculationssetoutbythemanufacturerandareoftenmadefromhardboard,plastics,steelandaluminiumproducts.Mostformworksystemsusetwoormorematerials(forexample,plywoodfactingtosteelframesforwallpanels).Inchoosingaformworksystemforaparticularjob,youshouldtakeintoaccountthesafetyimplicationsforworkerserecting,usinganddismantlingthesystem.Inthinkingaboutsafetyfactors,payparticularattentiontothreekeyissues:stability,strengthandhowyouwillcontroltheriskoffalls(bothfallingpeopleandfallingobjects).Whenusingatraditionalsystem,youshouldusestandardformworkframesthathaveaknowntestedloadingcapacitywhereverpossibleandensurethattheyarespacedatnomorethantherecommendeddistancesapart.Whereverpractical,itispreferabletouseaproprietaryformworksystemasthisusuallyresultsinimprovedsafetyforworkerserectinganddismantlingtheformworkandhandlingandstoringmaterials.Thebestproprietarysystemsavailablehaveintegratedsafetyfeaturesthathelptocontroltheriskoffallsandinjuryduringmanualtasks.BothmodularandtraditionalformworksystemsshouldbedesignedtocomplywiththeloadingsandgeneralprinciplesinAS3610:FormworkforConcrete.WhereamodularsystemisusedincombinationwithatraditionalsystemformworkdrawingsshouldbecertifiedascomplyingwithapplicableAustralianStandards.Similarly,componentsfromanothersystemshouldnotbeusedasanintegralpartofthemodularframeworksystemunlessthedesignerofthemodularsystemstatesthatthisispermitted.ThroughoutthisCodeofPractice,theword‘deck’isusedtorefertobothtraditionalplywoodformworkandtheequivalentworkingplatformforpeoplewhereamodularorcompositedecksystemisbeingused.
Overview
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Carefulplanningandpreparationisthefirstessentialstepinensuringthatworkisdonesafelyandshouldbeginasearlyaspossibleintheprocess.Planningandpreparationshouldinvolveconsultationwithallpeopleinvolved.Section14oftheWorkHealthandSafetyActrequireseachpersonconductingabusinessorundertaking(suchasprincipalcontractorsandsubcontractors)tomanageriskthroughariskassessmentprocess.Thisassessmentshouldformpartofasite‐specificSafetyManagementPlanputtogetherbythepersonincontroloftheprojectbeforeworkcommences,particularlyiffiveormorepeopleare(orarelikelytobe)workingatthesametime.Theprincipalcontractorshouldensurethateachpersonwithcontrolofformwork(includingsubcontractorsandself‐employedpeople)givestheprincipalcontractorawrittensafeworkmethodstatementbeforeworkcommences.Thesestatementsmustbekeptuptodateandreviewedifthereisachangetotheworktheyrelateto.AllformworkundertakenintheACTshouldcomplywithAS3610FormworkforConcrete.Thismeansthatformworkshouldbedesigned,constructedandmaintainedtosafelysupportallloadsthataretobeplacedonit.TheadequacyofthecomponentsoftheformworkforasuspendedslaborbeamshouldbeinspectedandcertifiedinwritingtocomplywiththatAustralianStandard,byaformworkengineerasbeingsafeforitsintendedpurposeandtheloadsthatwillbeplacedonit.Thismustoccurpriortoplacingconcreteforeachstageoftheworks.However,thisrequirementdoesnotapplywhere:
thedeckoftheformworksystemislessthan3metresabovethelowestsurroundinggroundlevel;
theareaofthediscreteformworkislessthan16m²andisdesignedtoholdnotmorethan2.5m³(or6tonnes)ofwetconcrete(whicheverisappropriate).
ForfurtherdetailonSafeWorkManagementPlansorSafeWorkMethodStatements,pleaserefertotheNationalStandardforConstructionWork(2005).Planningbydesigners
Designersforworkinvolvingformwork(suchasdevelopers,architectsandstructuralengineers)haveadutytoensureworksafetyunderSection24oftheWorkHealthandSafetyAct.Adesignermustensureworksafetyinrelationtothedesignofplantorstructurebymanagingriskiftheyareapersonincontrolof:
• thedesignofplantorastructurethatisused,istobeusedorcouldreasonablybeexpectedtobeused,atworkorataworkplace;or
• thedesignofastructurethatis,istobeorcouldreasonablybeexpectedtobe,aworkplace.
Controlincludestheauthoritytomakedecisionsaboutthedesign.Tocomplywiththeirduty,designersmusttakereasonablypracticablestepstoidentifyrisksassociatedwiththeirworkandeliminateanyriskthatmightresult–ifitisnotpossibletoeliminatearisk,theriskshouldbeminimisedsofarasreasonablypracticable.Thedesignermust
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alsoinformanyoneelsewithadutytomanageriskabouttheriskstheyhaveidentified.InundertakingdesignworkunderthisCode,designersshouldconsiderthesafetyrisksoftheworkpracticesneededtocarryouttheerectionanddismantlingofformwork.Thisshould,atleast,includethefollowing:
• thepossibilityofusingdesignsthatdonotrequirein‐situformwork,suchasstructuresthatmaybeconstructedatgroundlevelandliftedintoposition;
• themethodandsequenceoferectinganddismantlingformwork;• minimisingtheworkingheightsforpersonserectinganddismantlingformwork;• thatguardrailsystems(includingtoeboards),perimetersafetyscreens,
scaffoldingorothermeansareabletobeinstalledwhenworkingatheights;• thatfallarrestsystems(includingsafetylines)areabletobeinstalledifrequired;• adviceandinformation(suchasdrawings,scopeofworkinstructionsandbillsof
quantity)shouldbeprovidedtotheformworkcontractorandtheprincipalcontractorabouttheuseofmultiplelevelframesorhighstruttingwhereadditionalsafetyprecautionsmayberequired;
• thatslopingsurfacesonformworkaresliphazardsandappropriatecontrolmeasuresbeidentifiedtopreventinjury;
• anymanualhandlingrisksassociatedwiththeerectionanddismantlingoftheformworkrequiredbythedesign;and
• theformworkdesignshouldcomplywithAS3610FormworkforConcrete.Forfurtherdetailontheseduties,pleaserefertotheACTWorkSafetyCommissioner’sGuidetoACTSafeDesign:SafeStructure,SystemsandWorkplaces(September2011).Planningbyprincipalcontractor
Asapersonconductingabusinessorundertaking,principalcontractorshaveadutyunderSection21oftheWorkHealthandSafetyActtoensureworksafetybymanagingrisktotheextentoftheircontrolonsite.Thisapplieswhethertheprincipalcontractorisanindividual,employer,self‐employedperson,corporationorfranchisor.Thisdutyincludes,butisnotlimitedto:
• providingandmaintainingasafeworkplaceandsafesystemsofwork;• providingandmaintainingplantthatissafeandwithoutrisktotheworksafety
ofworkersandotherpeopleatthebusinessorundertaking;• ensuringthatplantisoperatedonlybyworkersandotherpeopleatthebusiness
orundertakingwhoarequalifiedtodoso;• ensuringthesafeuse,handling,storageandtransportofsubstances;• providingadequatefacilitiesforworkersandotherpeople;• monitoringtheworksafetyofworkers,andtheconditionsattheworkplace,to
ensurethatwork‐relatedillnessandinjuryareprevented;and• keepingrequiredinformationandrecordsonworksafetyrequired(including
incidentreportsandtrainingrecords)inrelationtotheirbusiness;• providingappropriateinformation,instruction,trainingorsupervisionto
workersandotherpeopletoallowworktobecarriedoutsafely;and• consultingworkersonmattersthatdirectlyaffecttheirworksafety.
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Principalcontractorsarealsolikelytobea‘personincontrolofpremises’undertheWorkHealthandSafetyAct.Apersonisincontrolofpremisesinarangeofcircumstances,includingwheretheyhavetheauthoritytomakedecisionsabouthowthepremisesaremanaged.Thismeansthat,inthisadditionalcapacity,theymustensureworksafetyinrelationtothepremisesbymanagingrisk,totheextentthatthepremisesarewithintheircontrol.Forexample,premisesmustbemaintainedinawaythatisconsistentwithworksafety,and,theremustbesafeentrytoandexitfromthepremises.Tofulfiltheirobligationsprincipalcontractorsmustplanforworktobedonesafely.WhenplanningthesitelayoutandsequenceofworktheprincipalcontractorshouldprepareanddocumentaSafetyManagementPlan(asoutlinedabove).ThisPlanshouldbebasedonconsultationwithcontractorsandworkers(ortheirrepresentatives)andincludedocumentedsafeworkmethodstatementsbycontractors(whererequired).Beforeformworkoperationsstart,theprincipalcontractor(inconsultationwiththecontractorcarryingoutwork)should:
• undertakeanassessmentoftherisksinvolvedincarryingoutthework;• identifythemostappropriatemethodstocontrolanyriskofinjury.These
includesafeguardssuchasguardrailsystems(includingtoeboards),perimetersafetyscreens,barriersandfallarrestsystems;
• providesafeaccesstoandfromthesiteandsafemovementonsite;• ensurethatallworkershavereceivedappropriatetrainingandinstruction;• ensureelectricalsafety,includingsystemsofworkforthesafeuseofequipment;• ensurethatthebaseonwhichformworkwillbeplacedisadequatetosupport
theweightoftheformwork,concreteandanyadditionalloadssuchaspumps,workers,mixers,placingconcreteandsoon;
• ensureunauthorisedpersonsarepreventedfromenteringtheworkarea(includingphysicalbarriersandsignsclearlydisplayedtowarnpeople);and
• ensuretheformworkcomplieswithAS3610FormworkforConcrete.PlanningbyContractors
EachcontractorinvolvedinerectingordismantlingformworkhastheirowndutiesundertheWorkHealthandSafetyAct.Thesedutiesapplywhethertheyareanemployer,self‐employedperson,corporation,sub‐contractororfranchisor.Asapersonconductingabusinessorundertaking,eachcontractormustensureworksafetybymanagingrisktotheextentoftheircontrol.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto:
• providingandmaintainingasafeworkplaceandsafesystemsofwork;• providingandmaintainingplantthatissafeandwithoutrisktotheworksafety
ofworkersandotherpeopleatthebusinessorundertaking;• ensuringthatplantisoperatedonlybyworkersandotherpeopleatthebusiness
orundertakingwhoarequalifiedtooperatetheplant;• ensuringthesafeuse,handling,storageandtransportofsubstances;• providingadequatefacilitiesforworkersandotherpeople;• monitoringtheworksafetyofworkers,andtheconditionsattheworkplace,to
ensurethatwork‐relatedillnessandinjuryareprevented;• keepingrequiredinformationandrecordsonworksafety(includingincident
reportsandtrainingrecords);
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• providingappropriateinformation,instruction,trainingorsupervisiontoworkersandotherpeopletoallowworktobecarriedoutsafely;and
• consultingworkersonmattersthatdirectlyaffecttheirworksafety.
Forfurtherdetailontheseduties,pleaserefertotheACTCodeofPracticeforConstructionIndustryAmenities(2010).SomecontractorsmayalsobeapersonincontrolofpremisesforthepurposesoftheWorkHealthandSafetyActatspecifictimes.Apersonisincontrolofpremisesinarangeofcircumstances,includingwheretheyhavetheauthoritytomakedecisionsabouthowthepremisesaremanaged.Thismeansthattheymustalsomanagerisksinrelationtothepremises,suchasbyensuringsafeentryandexitandmaintainingthepremisesinawaythatensuresworksafety,totheextentoftheircontroloverthepremises.Contractorserectinganddismantlingformworkshouldconsulttheprincipalcontractortomakesuretheirworkfitstogetherwiththeoverallprojectplan.Priortostartingwork,theyshouldalso(atleast):
1. identifyandassessrisksassociatedwiththework;2. identifythemostappropriatewaystopreventinjuries(e.g.falls,slipsandtrips);3. provideawrittensafeworkmethodstatement(ifrequired);4. ensurethatthesequenceoftasksisdesignedtomaintainsafetyonsite;5. assessmanualhandlingtasksthatcouldcauseinjury(suchasbackstrain)and
providesystemsofworkthatcomplywiththeWorkSafetyRegulation(forexample,selectingthesizeandweightofmaterialstobehandledandthemethodofstorage/stackingtoreducemanualhandling);
6. allocatetasksinawaythatconsiderstherelevantexperienceofeachworker;7. minimisetheworkingheightforpeopleerectinganddismantlingformwork;8. ensureformworkcomplieswithAS3610FormworkforConcrete;9. ensuresinglepropsaresecuredtopreventaccidentaldislodgement(AS3610
FormworkforConcrete);10. ensurethatcomponentsofformworkequipmentarenotmixedasthismaybe
unsafeandleadtocollapseoftheformwork(suchasmixingpinsandbraces);11. ensureallformworkmaterials(suchasjoists,bearers,plywood,supportframes,
jacksandUheads)complywiththespecification,relevantCodesandstandardsandareusedinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sspecifications;
12. ensuretheadequacyofformworkforasuspendedslaborbeamisinspectedandcertifiedinwritingforcompliancewithclause5.3.4ofAS3610FormworkforConcretebyaformworkengineerpriortoplacingconcreteifrequired(above);
13. ensurestrippingofformworkisundertakeninaccordancewithclauses5.3.4and2.3ofAS3610FormworkforConcrete(orascertifiedbytheengineer);
14. ensureformworkisdismantledinasafemannerthatiscontrolledandplannedinaccordancewithAS3610FormworkforConcrete.Itshouldgenerallybeareverseoftheerectionprocedure,followanysafeworkmethodstatementandsitespecificinstructions.Dropstrippingisunsafeandshouldnotbecarriedout;
15. ensurepartiallyerectedordismantledformworkaresecuredduringhighwinds;16. ensuresafeaccessisprovidedtoandfromthesiteincludingeachareaofwork.
Thepositionofframesshouldbeplannedtoensuresafeaccess(suchasbypeoplewalkingbetweenframes);
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17. ensureelectricalsafety,includingsystemsofworkforthesafeuseofequipment;18. ensurethatallworkersareprovidedwithappropriatetrainingandinstruction
(thisshouldcoveranysafeworkmethodstatement);19. ensurecompliancewithnoiseprovisionsintheWorkSafetyRegulation;and20. ensurethatallareasarekeptfreeofprojectingnails.Allmaterialsshouldbefree
ofprojectingnails.Allnailsshouldberemovedfromformworkmaterialduringdismantling.Hightensilenails(suchasexplosivepowertoolnails)shouldberemovedwithanappropriatetooltopreventnailsbecomingprojectiles.
Whoisresponsibleonsite?
Wheremultiplecontractorsareonsiteoveraperiodoftime,workingtogetheronaproject,theywilleachhavedutiesundertheWorkHealthandSafetyActtotheextentoftheircontrol.Theirdutiesarenotlimitedbecausesomeoneelsehasthesameoroverlappingduties.Eachpersonwithadutymustensurethattheyhavecompliedwiththelawandshouldconsultwithotherdutyholderstoensurethatactionisbeingtaken.Riskassessmentandcontrol
Inadditiontoanyotherduty,ahazardidentificationandriskassessmentshouldbecarriedoutattheplanningandpreparationstagebythecontractordoingtheworkinconsultationwiththeprincipalcontractor,todetermineifpeopleareatrisk.Controlmeasures,suchassafesystemsofwork,mustbeputinplacetocontrolidentifiedrisks.Theprocessofriskassessmentandcontrolismadeupofthefollowingsteps:
1. identifythehazards;2. assesstherisk(s)arisingfromthehazards;3. useappropriatecontrolmeasurestoeliminateorreducetherisk;and4. monitorandreviewthecontrolmeasurestoensurecontinualsafety.
Hierarchyofcontrolmeasures
Thefollowinghierarchyofcontrolmeasuresislistedintermsoflevels.Selectfromthehighestlevelpossible:
Level1.Eliminatethehazard(forexample,discontinueactivityornotusetheplant).Level2.Minimisetherisk,by:
• substitutingthesystemofworkorplant(withsomethingsafer);• modifyingthesystemofworkorplant(tomakeitsafer);• isolatingthehazard(e.g.introducerestrictedworkarea);
introducingengineeringcontrols(e.g.guarding,fencing,safetyscreens,orintermediateworkingdecks).
Level3.Otherminimisingcontrols:
• adoptingadministrativecontrolsandsafeworkpractices(e.g.specifictrainingandworkinstructions);
• usingpersonalprotectiveequipment(e.g.safetylines,eyeprotection,helmets).
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ThecontrolmeasuresatLevel1givethebestresultandshouldbeadopted.Themeasuresatthelowerlevelsarelesseffectiveandtheyrequiremorefrequentreviewsofhazardsandsystemsofwork.Inmostsituationsacombinationofcontrolmeasuresmayneedtobeused.However,thecontrolmeasuresrecommendedbythecontractordoingtheworkshouldbeconsideredbytheprincipalcontractoraspartofanySafetyManagementPlan.Anynewcontrolmeasuresshouldbeevaluatedtoensurethattheyareeffective,safeandthatnewhazardsarenotcreated.SeeAppendixBforasampleriskassessmentchecklist.Preparation
Whenpreparingforworktostart,theprincipalcontractorandthecontractordoingtheworkshouldensurethatthesiteissafe.Theyshouldalsochecktoensurethatallcontrolsidentifiedbytheirriskassessmentshavebeenputinplaceandthatnonewhazardsexist.ThisprocessshouldbegovernedbyanySafetyManagementPlan.Preparationshouldalsoincludeatleastthefollowing:
• anassessmentofclimatic/environmentalconditionsincludinglightinglevels;• assessingsafeaccesstoandexitfromthesiteandmovementwithinthesite;• personalprotectiveequipmentonsite(e.g.safetyharnesses,lanyards,safety
helmets,eyeprotectionetc.);• specificinstructionsforworkers;• anyformworkdrawingsarecertifiedbyaformworkengineerifrequired;• plantandtacklerequiredforliftingmaterialsisavailableandsuitable;• useofresidualcurrentdevices(safetyswitches)toprotectusersofportable
electricpoweredtools;and• emergencyandrescueproceduresincaseofanaccident,injuryoremergency
(includingtorescuepeoplefromsafetyharnessesafteranarrestedfall).4. Worksystemsandcontrolmeasures
TheprincipalcontractorandallsubcontractorsmustensureworksafetybymanagingriskbecausetheyareallpersonsconductingabusinessorundertakingundertheWorkHealthandSafetyAct.Thismeans,inpart,thattheymustprovideandmaintainasafeworkplaceandsafesystemsofwork,totheextentoftheircontrol.Controlmeasurestopreventpersonsworkingatheightsfromfallingshouldbeprovidedandmaintainedaspartofasafesystemofwork.Thesystemofworkandothercontrolmeasuresselectedareusuallydeterminedbyindividualjobfactors(inconsultationwithworkersandotherdutyholders)includingfactorsidentifiedintheriskassessmentprocess.Nomatterwhattheheight,ortheextentofpossibleinjuries,fallprotectionmustbeprovidedifaworkercouldfallfromwheretheyareworking.Preventionoffalls
EachcontractoronsitemustensureworksafetybymanagingtheriskundertheWorkHealthandSafetyAct.Thisdutyincludes,butisnotlimitedto,providingandmaintainingasafeworkplaceandsafesystemsofwork,totheextentoftheircontrol.
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Controlmeasurestopreventpersonsworkingatheightsfromfallingshouldbeprovidedandmaintainedaspartofasafesystemofwork.Ifacontractorisgoingtoerectordismantleaformworkdeckandsupportstheyshouldfirstconsiderwhetheritispossibletoeliminatetheriskofafallbyundertakingallorpartoftheworkontheground.Forexample,itmaybepossibletouseprefabricatedroofsorwallframes,or,tousepre‐castortiltupconstructionmethods.Riskcontrolsshouldbeimplementedifapersonisexposedtoariskoffalling.Ariskassessmentmustbeconductedforallworkatheight.Itisimportantthatthepersoncarryingouttheriskassessmenthasthenecessaryinformation,knowledgeandexperienceoftheworkenvironmentandprocesstoassesstheriskscompetently.Followingariskassessment,controlmeasuresmustbeimplementedtoaddresseachriskthatisidentified.Thesecontrolmeasuresmightincludefencing,handrails,safetyscreens,scaffolding,guardrails(includingmidrailandtoeboardsorequivalent),safetynets,elevatingworkplatforms,fallarrestsystems(suchasnets)oracombinationofthesemeasures.Indecidingwhatcontrolstouse,takeintoaccount:
1. factorsthatincreasetheriskoffalling(forexample,aslipperysurfacewhichmaycauseslipsandfalls);or
2. ifitisahazardoussituation,suchaswherethesurfaceconditionontowhichapersonmayfallwouldcauseseriousinjuries(forexample,fallingontoreinforcingsteelstarterbarsorbuildingmaterials).
Controlmeasuresthatprovidethehighestlevelofprotection,suchasthosethatpreventfalls,shouldbeusedinpreferencetothoseprovidingalowerlevelofprotectionsuchasfallarrestsystems.Fallprotectionsystemsshouldalsobeprovidedforworkersinstallingandremovinganysafeguards.Thefollowinghierarchyofcontrolmeasuresshouldbeuseduntiltheriskoffallisminimisedasfarasreasonablypracticable:1. Useofpassivefallpreventiondevices.Passivefallpreventiondevicesincludesafe
(temporary)workplatforms(safetymesh,perimeterscaffoldingorguardrailing,barriersorperimeterscreens)
2. Useofworkpositioningsystems.Thismeansequipmentdesignedtoallowa
workertoworksafelyinpositionforthedurationofthetaskatheights.Thisrequiresgreatercompetencyandsupervisionoftheworkerthanpassivefallpreventiondevices.Thisincludesuseofindustrialropeaccesssystems,travelrestraintsystems.
3. Useoffallinjuryminimisationsystems.Thismeansequipmenttopreventor
reducetheseverityofaninjuryifafallhappens,suchasindustrialsafetynets,catchplatformsandfallarrestsystems(suchassafetyharnesses,netsorlazyjoists).
4. Useofladdersandadministrativecontrols.Ifladdersareusedthecontractor
shoulddoariskassessmenttomakesuretheworkisdonesafely.Administrative
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controlsmightbesafeworkprocedures,limitingtimespentatheightand/orthenumberofworkerswhoareatheight.
ItisalsoaspecificoffenceunderSection74oftheWorkSafetyRegulationifapersonconductingabusinessorundertaking(principalcontractororsub‐contractor)doesnotprovideadequatefallprotectionagainstaworkerfallingfromaworkplaceIF:
1. becauseofthenatureofthework,aworkermustworkinaworkplacefromwhichtheworkercouldfall;and
2. iftheworkerfell,itislikelythattheworkerwouldbeinjured.
Forthepurposesoferectingordismantlingformwork(andassociatedequipment)underthisCode,contractorsshouldassumethataworkerwouldbeinjurediftheyfellfromanyheight.Toprovideadequatefallprotectionapersonmust:
1. provideasafemeansofentrytoandexitfromtheworkplace;and2. provideaprotectivebarrierfortheworkplace;
OR
3. ifitisnotreasonablypracticabletoprovideabarrier,theymustinsteadprovideandmaintaina“safesystemofwork”.
ProtectiveBarriers
Toprovideaprotectivebarrierinaccordancewiththeregulation,thecontractorshouldprovideedgeprotectionontheexposededgesofallworkareas.Theseincludetheperimetersofanystructure(suchasthedeck)andanyopening(void)inthedeck.
Whenputtinginplaceaprotectivebarrier,thecontractorshouldmakesurethattheworkplace(i.e.deck)isofsolidconstruction–thismeansthat:
thesurfacecansupportpeople,materialandotherloadsapplied;and thesurfaceandgradientofthedeckisevenandreadilynegotiableforworkers
SafeSystemsofWork
Providingandmaintainingasafesystemofworkmeans:1. providingtrainingontherisksassociatedwithworkingwheretheworkeris;and2. providingsupervisionorassistanceforpeopleworkingthere;and3. Usingthehierarchyofcontrolmeasuressofarasisreasonablypracticableuntilthe
riskofinjuryfromafallisminimisedasfarasreasonablypracticable(seehierarchyofcontrolmeasuresoutlinedabove.
Ifasafeworkingplatform(passivefallpreventiondevice)cannotreasonablybeprovidedattheworkplace,thecontractorshoulduseasafetyharnessorpolesafetystatic‐lineifthatispracticable(aspartofthecombinationofcontrolmeasuresusedtoprovideasafesystemofwork).
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FormoreinformationonprotectivebarriersorsafesystemsofworkrefertotheNationalCodeofPracticeforthePreventionofFallsinGeneralConstructionortheNationalCodeofPracticeforthePreventionofFallsinHousingConstruction.Erectingaformworkdeckandsupports
Tasksthatrequireparticularattentioninassessingtheriskoffallsinaformworkcontextarethosecarriedout:
onanystructureorplantbeingconstructedorinstalled,demolishedordismantled,inspected,tested,maintained,repairedorcleaned;
onafragilesurface(forexamplecementsheetingroofs,rustymetalroofs,fibreglasssheetingroofsandskylights);
onapotentiallyunstablesurface(forexampleareaswherethereispotentialforgroundcollapse,includingpoorlybackfilledorcompactedground,orunstableareassuchasontopofstacksofbuildingmaterials,timberpalletsorbricks);
usingequipmenttoworkattheelevatedlevel(forexamplewhenusingscaffolds,elevatingworkplatforms(EWPs)orportableladders);
onaslopingorslipperysurfacewhereitisdifficultforpeopletomaintaintheirbalance(forexampleonglazedtiles);
nearanunprotectedopenedge(forexamplenearperimeterswithoutguardrails,orincompletestairwells);and
nearahole,shaftorpitintowhichaworkercouldfall(forexampletrenches,pileholesorservicepits).
InspectionandMaintenance
UndertheWorkSafetyRegulation,eachpersonconductingabusinessorundertaking(includingcontractors)mustensurethatanysafetyharness,safetylineoranchorageprovidedorusedattheworkplaceisregularlyinspectedandiskeptinefficientworkingorder.Forapermanentlyfixedanchorage,thismeansitmustbeinspectedatleastevery6months.Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtodosois$3300foranindividualor$16,500foracorporation.UndertheWorkSafetyRegulation,itisalsoanoffenceifapersonconductingabusinessorundertaking(includingcontractors)isawarethattheload‐bearingcapacityofananchorageattheworkplaceisimpairedandallowsthatanchoragetobeusedbeforeitiseitherrepairedorreplaced.
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WorkerDuties
ItisanoffenceundertheWorkSafetyRegulationforapersontointentionallyuseasafetyharnessorsafetylineataworkplacethatisnotsuitableforuse,isdamaged,orisnoteffectiveandmaintainedinasuitablecondition.Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtodosois$3300foranindividualor$16,500foracorporation.ItisalsoanoffenceundertheWorkSafetyRegulationifapersonintentionallyusesananchorageataworkplaceandtheload‐bearingcapacityoftheanchorageisimpaired.Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtodosois$3300foranindividualor$16,500foracorporation.Manualtasks
Manualtasksrequireapersontousetheirmusculoskeletalsystemtoperformtheactivity.Forexample,liftingorcarryingmaterialsonaworksiteisamanualtask.LegalDutiesonManualTasks
Inadditiontothegeneraldutytomanageriskstoworksafety,therearespecificdutiesintheWorkSafetyRegulationtopreventinjuriescausedbycarryingoutmanualtasks.Eachprincipalcontractororsubcontractormustgiveeachworkercarryingoutmanualtasksattheworkplaceinformation,instruction,trainingandsupervisionon:
• safemethodsofcarryingoutthetask;• usingsafesystemsofwork;and• waysthattheworkermayeliminateorminimisetheriskof
musculoskeletaldisorders.Thecontractormustdoeachoftheabovebeforethetaskiscarriedout,ifanypartoftheworkchanges,and,whiletheworkisbeingdoneifdoingsoisreasonablynecessarytoensureworksafety.Informationgiventotheworkermustincludeanynewinformationthataffectsthetaskinthatworkplace,oranyplant,substance,structureorsystemofworkusedforthetask,asitisavailable.Theinformationmustbegiveninawaythattakesintoaccounttheworker’sneeds(forexample,iftheirfirstlanguageisnotEnglish).Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtocomplywiththisdutyis$2200foranindividualor$11,000foracorporation.Itislikelythataprincipalcontractorwillbeapersonincontrolofpremises,plantorsystemataworkplacewhileformworkisbeingerectedordismantled.Anotherpersonmayalsobeincontrolofplantorasystemaswell(suchastheformworkcontractor).Ifyouhavetheauthoritytomakedecisionsaboutthemanagementofthepremises,or,abouttheplant/systemoritsoperationonsite,youaredefinitelyapersonincontrolundertheWorkSafetyRegulation.Ifapersonhascontrolofpremises,plantorsystemtheymustgiveappropriateinformation,instruction,trainingandsupervisiontoaworkerwhocarriesoutamanualtaskatthepremisesorinrelationtotheplantorsystemtoallowtheworkertocarryoutthetasksafelyand,toparticipateinmanagingriskinrelationtothetask.
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Thismustinclude
• safemethodsofcarryingoutthetask;• useofsafesystemsofwork;and• waysthattheworkermayeliminateorminimisetheriskof
musculoskeletaldisorders.Thecontractormustdosobeforethetaskiscarriedout,ifanypartoftheworkchanges,and,whiletheworkisbeingdoneifdoingsoisreasonablynecessarytoensureworksafety.Informationgiventotheworkermustincludeanynewinformationthataffectsthetaskinthatworkplace,oranyplant,substance,structureorsystemofworkusedforthetask,asitisavailable.Theinformationmustbegiveninawaythattakesintoaccounttheworker’sneeds(forexample,iftheirfirstlanguageisnotEnglish).Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtocomplywiththisdutyis$2200foranindividualor$11,000foracorporation.Manualtasksduringformwork
Thefollowingpracticalguidanceoutlinessomewaysinwhichmanualhandlingriskscanbecontrolledinformworkerectionanddismantling.However,employersarestillrequiredtoundertaketheirownriskassessmentsandimplementcontrolmeasures.Thisshouldalsobeincludedinanysafeworkmethodstatementthatisrequired.Inrelationtomanualtasks,eachpersonrequiredtoensureworksafetybymanagingriskonsiteshould,totheextentoftheircontrol:
• designorredesignthemanualtasktoeliminateorcontroltheriskfactor;and• providingappropriatetrainingtoworkersinsafehandlingtechniques.This
trainingshouldalsoincludethepreventionofmanualhandlinginjuriesbyanapproachbasedonahazardidentification,riskassessmentandcontrolthroughjobandtaskdesign.
Wherere‐designisnotpracticable,orwhenconsideringshortterm/temporarymeasures,thepersonshouldconsiderthefollowingcontrols:
• providemechanicalaidsand/orpersonalprotectiveequipment.Manualhandlingrisksmaybecontrolledbyusingpoweredmechanicalequipmenttoliftandmoveformworkframesandothermaterialssuchasfloorcentrespacingsduringerectionanddismantlingofformwork.Liftingequipmentcouldincludecranes,forklifts,electricpallettrucksandstackers.Mechanisedsystemssuchasclimbingcolumnformworkandtableformsalsoeliminatemanualhandling;
• arrangeforteamliftinginordertoreducetherisk.Teamlifting(sharingtheloadbetweentwoormoreworkers)shouldbeusedforloading,unloading,stackingandmovingframesandotherlargeitemswhereitisimpracticaltousemechanicalassistance;
• ensureworkersreceiveappropriatetraininginmethodsofmanualhandling
involvingteamliftingprocedures,correctuseofthemechanicalaidsandPPE.Wherethenatureoftheworkactivitiesormanualhandlingtasksareconstantly
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changing,theriskassessmentandcontrolprocessandtrainingprovidedshouldbeonanongoingbasis;
• weightsthataremanuallyhandledshouldbeminimised.Cautionisparticularlyadvisedwhereloadsareabove16‐20kg.Ingeneral,workersshouldnotberequiredtolift,lowerorcarryloadsabove55kg,unlessmechanicalassistanceand/orteamliftingarrangementsareprovidedtolowertheriskofinjury.Wheremanualhandlinginvolvesrepetitivebending,twisting,overreaching,workoverheadorwherepersonshavepreexistinginjuriestheseloadsshouldbefurtherdecreased.Loadsmaybereducedbysubstitutinglighterweightcomponentswherepossible(forexample,usingsmallersheetsizesofplywoodandshorterbearers,usingaluminiumbeamsinplaceofsteelortimber).1800mmx1200mmplysheetscouldbeusedinpreferencetolargersizesandbearerlengthsshouldbelimitedto4.8mwherepossible;
• thesequenceoferectionandframecomponentsusedshouldensurethatcomponentscanberemovedseparatelysoastominimiseweightsthatrequiremanualhandling.Acombinationofframeheightsshouldbeusedtomakeuptheheightrequiredinsteadofusingtelescopingextensions.Frameswithtelescopingextensionsandscrewjacksattachedshouldnotbemanuallyliftedbyoneworker.Informationaboutweightsofframingcomponentsshouldbemadeavailabletoworkers;
• framesshouldbeselectedinconsultationwithworkersattheplanningstage.Thisshouldtakeintoaccountthemethodsofmanualliftingandcarryingthatmustbeused,theweightandbalanceoftheframeandthewayinwhichtheweightoftheframeistobesupported;
• framesandmaterialsshouldbedeliveredasneartotheworklocationaspossibletoeliminatedoublehandling;
• materialsshouldbestoredonracksorothersupportsataheightofatleast600mmwherepossiblesothatmanualliftingcanbedonewithoutexcessivebending.Framesandsheetsofplythatarecarriedinanuprightpositionshouldbestoreduprightinarackandsecuredinplace.
• theoverhangofplanksshouldbelimitedto150mmbeyondtheframessothattheydonotobstructframesbeingliftedwhichcancauseexcessivebending.Theoverhangmaybeusedtotemporarilysupporttheframebeforeitisplacedinitsfinallocation.Cleatscanbeusedtopreventplanksfromslippingofftheframes.
• therotationofworkdutiesshouldbeconsideredinconsultationwithworkerssothatworkersarenotsubjectedtothesametaskforthewholeshift.
Forfurtherdetailontheseduties,pleaserefertotheNationalStandardforManualTasksandNationalCodeofPracticeforthePreventionofMusculoskeletalDisordersfromperformingManualTasksatWork.
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AccesstoSites
TheWorkSafetyRegulationrequireseachpersonconductingabusinessorundertakingataworkplacetoensurethatanyonecomingintoorleavingtheworkplaceisabletoenter,exitandmovesafelyabouttheworkplace,and,isabletoleavetheworkplaceinanemergency.Thisdutyalsoappliestoapersonincontrolofpremises(suchastheprincipalcontractor)–eachpersonwiththedutymustensurethelawiscompliedwithtotheextentoftheircontrol.Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtodosoineachcaseis$3300foranindividualor$16,500foracorporation.Housekeeping
Onworksiteswhereformworkisbeingerectedordismantledthismeansthatallareasofaccessshouldbekeptclearandfreeofobstructions.Inparticular:
• allmaterialsshouldbeproperlystoredtoreducetripandsliphazards,includingthoseduringdismantlingensuringallareasarekeptfreeofprojectingnails.
• allformworkmaterialsshouldbefreeofprojectingnails.Allnailsshouldberemovedfromtheformworkmaterialduringtheprocessofdismantling.Hightensilenails,(forexample,explosivepowertoolnails),shouldberemovedwithanappropriatetooltopreventnailsbecomingprojectileswhenbeingremoved.
• allplywoodsheetoffcutsandstrippedplywoodpiecesshouldbestoredto
preventsheetingbecomingatrip/sliphazard(suchasinasuitableframe).StairwaysandLadders
Inconsideringhowtoensuresafeaccessthecontractorshouldtakeintoaccountthenumberofpersonsusingeachaccesspointandanytoolsandequipmentpeoplemayberequiredtocarrytoandfromtheirwork.Safetemporaryaccessstairwaysand/organgwayswithhandrailsshouldbeprovidedwherethatispracticable.Whenladdersareprovidedorusedforaccess,eachpersonattheworkplacewhoconductsabusinessorundertakingmustensurethattheladderisofsoundconstructionandiskeptinasafecondition.Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtocomplywiththisdutyis$2200foranindividualor$11,000foracorporation.Inaddition,allladdersusedunderthisCodeofPractice:
• shouldbesecuredagainstdisplacement;• shouldhavenonslipfeet;• beusedinamannersothatasafeandadequatelysizedlandingplaceisprovided
forsteppingofftheladder;and• thestilesoftheladdermustextendatleastonemetreabovethatlandingplace.
Metalorwirereinforcedladdersshouldnotbeusedwherethereisariskofcontactwithelectricalconductorwires(powerlines)orofelectrocution.Non‐conducting
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laddersshouldbeused,or,aclearanceofatleastfourmetresfromconductorsshouldbemaintainedatalltimes.TheWorkSafetyRegulationalsoplacesakeydutyoneachworkeronsite–ifanypersonintentionallyusesaladderinawaythatcreatesarisktothesafetyofanyperson(themselvesorsomeoneelse)theyhavecommittedanoffence.Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtocomplywiththisdutyis$2200foranindividualor$11,000foracorporation.Ifaportablesingleladderorextensionladderisusedonsiteitmustbeusedsothat:
• thehorizontaldistancebetweentheladder’stopsupportpointanditsfootislessthanorequalto¼ofitssupportedlength;
• theladderisplacedonafirmfooting;and• theladderissecuredtopreventslippingandsidewaysmovement.
Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtodosois$3300foranindividualor$16,500foracorporation.Ifaladderisusedataworkplacetosupportplanksforaworkingplatformitmustbeatrestleladder.Evenwhereatrestleladderisusedforsupport,thistypeofworkingplatformcanonlybeusedwherethetotalweightontheladderislessthan2.2kN(224kg),includingasinglepointlimitof1kN(102kg).Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtocomplywitheitheroftheserequirementsis$3300foranindividualor$16,500foracorporation.ForfurtherdetailonladderspleaserefertotheNationalStandardforConstructionWorkandrelevantNationalCodeofPractice.Scaffolding
ScaffoldingshouldbeerectedinaccordancewithAS/NZS1576Scaffoldingwhichrecommendsthattemporaryworkingplatformsshouldbeatleast450mmwide(roughlytwoplanks).Cleatscanbeusedtopreventplanksfromslippingofftheframes.Ariskcontrolsystemshouldalsobeprovidedforpersonsexposedtoariskoffalling.ForfurtherdetailonscaffoldingpleaserefertotheNationalStandardforConstructionWorkandrelevantNationalCodeofPractice.Lighting
TheWorkSafetyRegulationrequiresadequatelightingtobeprovidedataworkplacebyapersonconductingabusinessorundertakingatthatworkplace.Whatisadequatedependsonthetasksbeingperformedbyworkersatthetime.Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtodosois$3300foranindividualor$16,500foracorporation.Lightingmustbesufficientto:
• allowworkerstoworksafely;• notcreateexcessiveglareorreflection;• allowpeoplewhoarenotworkerstomovesafelywithintheworkplace;and
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• facilitatesafeentryto,andexitfrom,theworkplace.Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtocomplywiththisdutyis$2200foranindividualor$11,000foracorporation.Preventingfallingobjects
Fallingobjectscausealargenumberofseriousinjuriesonsites.Somesolutionsare:• perimeteredgeprotectionshouldbeconstructedtoeffectivelypreventany
materials,toolsorobjectsfallingontopersonsbelow;
• lanyardsontoolsshouldbeusedwherethereisariskofthetoolbeingdroppedandstrikingapersonbelow;
• looseformworkmaterialssuchasplywoodandplantshouldbesecuredtoprevent
accidentaldisplacement,especiallyduringhighwinds;• propswhicharenotbracedortiedshouldbesecuredorremovedtoprevent
accidentaldislodgement;and• aphysicalbarriersuchasatemporarykerbshouldbeprovidedtopreventmobile
plant(suchasapedestrianoperatedforklifttruck)fromfallingofftheedgeofbuildingordisplacingformwork.
Movingloadsandmaterials
Systemsofworkmustensurethesafetyofpersonsinthevicinityofmaterialsorloadsbeingmoved.Forexample:
• taglinesshouldbeusedtoguideandcontrolsuspendedloads;• apersonincontrolofloadssuspendedfromacranemustholdahighrisk
worklicencefordoggingortheequivalentcertificateofcompetency;• areasinthevicinityofmaterialsorloadsbeingmovedshouldbeclearof
personswhenmovinglongmaterialssuchasjoists,bearers,planksandframestopreventstrikingpersonsnearby;and
• areasbeneathsuspendedloadsshouldbeclearofpersons.Usingdangeroussubstances
Wherehazardoussubstancesormaterialsareusedattheworkplace,eachcontractordoingtheworkandtheprincipalcontractorshouldensurecompliancewiththeDangerousSubstancesAct2004totheextentoftheircontrolsothatformworkoperationsdonotbecomearisktohealth.Thisincludesprovidingtraininginthesafelabelling,handlinganduseofeachsubstance,and,providingthemanufacturer’sMaterialDataSafetySheetwhichsetsoutinformationaboutthehazardsinvolvedinusingthesubstanceandhowtousethesubstancesafely(ifavailable).
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ManagingnoiseWorkersshouldnotbeexposedtonoiseabovetheexposurestandardintheWorkSafetyRegulation.Thisis:
an8‐hourequivalentcontinuousA‐weightedsoundpressurelevel,LAeq,8hof85dB(A)referencedto20μPa;and
aC‐weightedpeaksoundpressurelevel,LC,peakof140dB(C)referencedto20μPa.
Theriskofcausingpermanenthearingdamageisrelatedtobothloudnessofthenoiseandthelengthofexposure.Forexampletwominutesworkinginnoiselevelsof114decibelsdB(A)maycausethesameamountofdamageaseighthoursworkingin85dB(A).Anoiseassessmentshouldbeconductedtodeterminethelevelofnoisethatemployeesareexposedto.TheWorkSafetyRegulationrequireseachcontractoronsitetoproperlymaintainnoisecontrolmeasuresattheworkplaceand:
giveworkersattheworkplaceinformationandtrainingaboutnoisecontrolmeasuresinaccordancewithAS/NZS1269;and
ensurethatanypersonalhearingprotectorsgiventoaworkerareusedandmaintainedinaccordancewithAS/NZS1269.
Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtodosois$3300foranindividualor$16,500foracorporation.Ifthecontractormusttakeactiontoreducenoiselevelsonsite,thecontractormustdoeachofthefollowinginorder,sofarasreasonablypracticable,untilthenoiselevelisatorbelowtheexposurestandard:
1. Implementengineeringcontrols;2. Implementadministrativecontrols;3. Givetheworker/spersonalhearingprotectors.Thesemustmeetthe
requirementsofAS/NZS1270,and,havebeenselectedaccordingtotheproceduresstatedinAS/NZS1269.3.
Ifnoiselevelsattheworkplaceexceedtheexposurestandardandthepersonconductingabusinessorundertakingatthatworkplace(contractor)doesnottaketheactionsoutlinedabovetheywillbeinbreachoftheWorkSafetyRegulation.Themaximumpenaltyis$2200foranindividualor$11,000foracorporation.
TheWorkSafetyRegulationalsoplacesakeydutyoneachworkeronsite–ifnoisecontrolmeasuresaretakenbythecontractorandtheworker
intentionallydoesnotcomplywiththosemeasures,sofarasreasonablypracticable;or
isgivenpersonalhearingprotectorsandisgiveninformationandtrainingabouttheminaccordancewithAS/NZS1269,anddoesnotusetheprotectors,sofarasreasonablypracticable;
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theworkerwillalsobeinbreachoftheWorkSafetyRegulation.Themaximumpenaltyforeachoftheseoffencesis$2200foranindividualor$11,000foracorporation.5. Personalprotectiveequipment(PPE)ProvidingPPE
UndertheWorkSafetyRegulationallpersonsthatprovidePPEaspartoftheirdutytomanageriskmustensure,totheextentoftheircontrol,that:
thePPEisadequateforthepersonitisprovidedto; thePPEminimisestheriskfortheperson; thepersonistoldofanylimitationsofthePPE; thepersonisgiventheinstructionandtrainingnecessarytoensurethePPE
minimisestheriskforthatperson; thePPEisproperlymaintained,and,repairedorreplacedasnecessaryto
minimisetheriskforthepersonusingit;and thePPEiskeptinacleanandhygieniccondition.
Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtodosois$2200foranindividualor$11,000foracorporation.ThesamepenaltiesapplyifPPEisnotstoredatanaccessibleplaceattheworkplace,or,ifthereareareaswherePPEmustbeusedbuttheareasarenotclearlyidentified.TheWorkSafetyRegulationalsosetsoutspecificsituationswherePPEmustbeprovided.Thisiswhereapersonshouldbehighlyvisiblebecauseofthenatureoftheworkplace(suchasduetopoorlightingorproximitytovehiclesormobileplant),and,whereitisreasonablyforeseeablethatapersoncould,whileattheworkplace
bestruckbyanobjectorothermaterialcapableofcausinginjury; beinjuredbycomingintocontactwithasharpobject; besubjecttoarisktohealthorsafetybecauseofexposuretoasubstance,agent,
contaminant,radiationorextremeoftemperature;or beexposedtoariskofinjurytoeyesightortohearingcapacity;or
Whereanyoneofthesecircumstancesapplies,allpersonsconductingabusinessorundertakingonsite(contractors)mustensurethatadequatePPEisprovidedtoeachpersonattheworkplace.ItisalsoanoffenceifuseofthePPEprovidedmayaffectaperson’sabilitytocommunicateandthecontractordoesnottakeappropriatestepstoensurethatthisdoesnotcreatearisktothehealthorsafetyofthatworkeroranyoneelse.Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtocomplywitheitherrequirementis$3300foranindividualor$16,500foracorporation.Itislikelythataprincipalcontractorwillbeapersonincontrolofaworkplacewhileformworkisbeingerectedordismantled,tosomeextent.Otherpersonsmayalsobeincontrolofthesite.Apersonincontrolofpremisescommitsanoffenceif:
1. adequatepersonalprotectiveandsafetyequipmentisnotrequiredinthespecificcircumstancesabovebutitisnotprovidedtoanyoneatthepremises;or
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2. useofthePPEprovidedmayaffectaperson’sabilitytocommunicateandthepersonincontroldoesnottakeappropriatestepstoensurethatthisdoesnotcreatearisktothehealthorsafetyofthatworkeroranyoneelse.
Thesedutiesoverlapwiththedutyofcontractorsonsite,sothattheprincipalcontractor(orotherpersonwiththisduty)mustensurethatthesedutiesaremettotheextentoftheircontrolofthepremises.Thisisaquestionoffactbasedonactualcontrolofthesiteataspecifictime.Themaximumpenaltyforfailingtocomplywitheitheroftheaboverequirementsis$3300foranindividualor$16,500foracorporation.PPEandFormwork
Beforeerectingordismantlinganyformwork,contractorsshouldassesstheriskslikelytoaffectthehealthandsafetyoftheworkersandhim/herself,asidentifiedbytheriskassessmentprocedure,andmustprovideandarrangefortheuseofappropriateandcompatiblePPE.AfallarrestsystemisaformofPPE.ThefollowingPPEshouldbeprovidedwhererequiredbytheWorkSafetyRegulation(becauseitismandatoryorbecauseariskassessmentindicatesitisneeded).Safetyhelmets
Theuseofsafetyhelmetsmaypreventorlessenaheadinjuryfromfallingobjectsorapersonhittingtheirheadagainstsomething.Wherethereisalikelihoodofpersonsbeinginjuredbyfallingobjectsandoverheadprotectionisnotprovided,personsshouldbeprovidedwith(anduse)asafetyhelmet.Safetyhelmetsshouldalsobeprovidedandusedwhereapersonmaystriketheirheadagainstafixedorprotrudingobjectorwherethereisariskofaccidentalheadcontactwithelectricalhazards.Eyeprotection
Whereworkersarecarryingoutcutting,grinding,chippingorweldingofconcreteormetalstheyshouldbeprovidedwith(anduse)eyeprotectioncomplyingwithAS1337EyeprotectorsforIndustrialApplicationstoreducetheriskofeyeinjury.EyeprotectioncomplyingwithAS1337shouldalsobeprovided(andused)wherepersonscarryoutotherwork,suchascarpentry,wherethereisariskofeyeinjury.Thereshouldbesufficientsupervisionandmonitoringconductedtoensurethatemployeesareprovidedwith(anduse)theeyeprotection.Safetyglovesandfootwear
Safetyglovesandfootwearshouldbeprovidedwhenhandlingmaterialssuchastimbers,scaffoldingcomponentsandsteelframestoreducetheriskofinjury.Protectionfromsun
Workersshouldbeprotectedfromsunlight/UVradiationbyusingasunscreenwithanSPF(sunprotectionfactor)ratingofatleast15+andwearinghats,longsleevesandlongtrousers.Ifshortsleevedshirtsandshortsareworninveryhotweather,theexposedpartsofthebodyshouldbeprotectedbyusingtheappropriatesunscreen.
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Personsexposedtoreflectivesurfaces(suchasformworkdecks)shouldbeprotectedfromtherisksofeyedamagefromtheincreasingexposuretothesunbyUVprotectionglassestoAS1337andAS1338aspartofpersonalprotectiveequipment.Evenwithprotection,thereshouldbesufficientsupervisionandmonitoringconductedtoensurethatworkersdonothaveextendedexposuretostrongsunlightandreflection.Clothing
Clothingshouldbecomfortableinallpositionssuchasstanding,bendingandcrouchingandbesuitablefortheworkbeingdoneandtheweatherconditions.Looseclothingorequipmentwhichmaysnagorcreateatriphazardshouldbeavoidedwherepossible.WorkersusingPPE
TheWorkSafetyRegulationrequiresworkersthathavebeenprovidedwithPPEataworkplacetouseit.IftheworkerisgiventheinstructionandtrainingnecessarytoensurethatthePPEminimisesriskforthemandtheworkerintentionallydoesnotusethePPE,or,doesnotuseitasinstructed,theyareinbreachoftheRegulation.Themaximumpenaltyis$2200.Itisalsoanoffenceifaworker:
intentionallymisusesordamagesPPEattheworkplace;or becomesawareofdamageto,adefectin,oraneedtocleanorsterilise,PPEat
theirworkplaceandintentionallydoesnottellthepersonconductingthebusinessorundertakingaboutthatdamage,defectorneed.
Themaximumpenaltyforeachoftheseoffencesis$2200.6. TrainingandinstructionUndertheWorkHealthandSafetyAct,eachpersonconductingabusinessorundertaking(contractor)mustprovideappropriateinformation,instruction,trainingorsupervisiontoworkersandotherpeopleatthebusinesstoallowworktobecarriedoutsafely.Theymustalsoensurethatplantisoperatedonlybyworkersorotherpeoplewhoarequalifiedtodoso‐thismayrequireahighriskworklicenceoracertificateofcompetencyintheACT.Allpersonsinvolvedinerectinganddismantlingofformworkshouldbetrainedtofollowsystemsofworkandworkpracticesthatenablethemtoperforminamannerthatissafeandwithoutriskstohealth,andmustholdanappropriatehighriskworklicenceorcertificateofcompetency(wherethatisrequired).Onlyworkerswhohavereceivedrequiredtrainingandinstructionshouldcarryouttasksinvolvedinerectinganddismantlingformwork.Thecontractormustmonitorthesystemsofworkandproviderefreshertrainingtoensurethatsafesystemsandworkpracticesarebeingfollowed,includingtheuseofPPE.Thetrainingprovidedandinstructiongivenshouldincludeatleast:
constructioninductiontrainingwhichcomplieswiththerequirementsoftheWorkSafetyRegulation;
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
theworkmethodtobeusedforerectinganddismantlingofformworkandthemanualhandlingofequipmentbyoperators,includingcontrolmeasuresbasedontheriskassessmenttopreventinjury;
thecorrectuse,careandstorageinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’srecommendations(orAustralianStandards,whereappropriate)of:
o personalprotectiveequipmento toolsandequipmenttobeusedo individualfallarrestequipment.
theuseofplantandassociatedequipmentincludingelectricalsafetyand
hazardoussubstances;and procedurestobeadoptedintheeventofaccident,injuryorotheremergency.
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
7. LegalRequirements:theWorkHealthandSafetyAct2011WorkSafety
EverypersonataworkplacehasadutyundertheWorkHealthandSafetyAct2011,whethertheyareapersonconductingabusiness,aworker,orapersonincontrolofpremiseswhereworkiscarriedout.Whilethedutiesforeachpersonaredifferent,eachpersonmustensurethatthewaytheycarryouttheirworkdoesnotinterferewiththehealth,safetyorwellbeingofotherpeopleattheworkplace.Personconductingabusinessorundertaking
Peopleconductingabusinessorundertakingmustensurethehealth,safetyandwellbeingofpeopleinrelationtoworkandtocomplywiththeWorkHealthandSafetyActandWorkSafetyRegulationtotheextentoftheircontrol,bymanagingrisk.Thisdutyappliestoemployers,selfemployedpeople,corporations,sub‐contractorsandfranchisors,forexample.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto:
• providingandmaintainingasafeworkplaceandsafesystemsofwork;• providingandmaintainingplantthatissafeandwithoutrisktotheworksafety
ofworkersandotherpeopleatthebusinessorundertaking;• ensuringthatplantisoperatedonlybyworkersandotherpeopleatthebusiness
orundertakingwhoarequalifiedtooperatetheplant;• ensuringthesafeuse,handling,storageandtransportofsubstances;• providingadequatefacilitiesfortheworksafetyofworkersandotherpeopleat
thebusinessorundertaking;• monitoringtheworksafetyofworkersatthebusinessorundertaking,and
conditionsattheworkplace,toensurethatwork‐relatedillnessandinjuryareprevented;
• keepingrequiredinformationandrecordsunderthisAct,includingincidentreportsandtrainingrecords,inrelationtothebusinessorundertaking;
• providingappropriateinformation,instruction,trainingorsupervisiontoworkersandotherpeopleatthebusinesstoallowworktobedonesafely;and
• consultingworkersatthebusinessorundertakingonmattersthatdirectlyaffecttheirworksafety;and
• anyotherdutyprescribedbyregulation.Workers
Workersmustnotexposethemselvesorotherpeoplewhomaybeaffectedbytheirwork,toworksafetyrisksbecauseofthatwork.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,cooperatingwith,andcomplyingwithinstructionsfrom,thepersontheyworkfor,andpersonincontroloftheirworkplace,toallowthatpersontocomplywiththeirdutiesundertheWorkHealthandSafetyAct.Theymustalsouseequipmentsuppliedforworksafetyproperly,and,reportanyriskillnessorinjuryconnectedwithworkofwhichtheyareaware.
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
Manufacturers
Apersonincontrolofmanufacturemustensureworksafetyinrelationtothemanufactureoftheplantorstructurebymanagingrisk.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto:
• manufacturingittobesafeandwithoutrisktoworksafetywhenusedinthewayitisintended;
• carryingoutresearch,testingandexaminationtoidentifyandeliminate,orminimise,anyrisktoworksafetybyuseofit;
• giving,toeachpersontowhomtheyprovideit,informationonitsintendeduse,resultsofanyresearch,testingandexamination,theconditionsneededforittobesafelyused;and
• givingthesameinformation,onrequest,toanypersonwhousesorwilluse,it.
Importersandsuppliers
Apersonincontroloftheimportorsupplyofplant,orofastructure,mustensureworksafetyinrelationtotheplantorstructurebymanagingrisk.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto:
• supplyingthethingsafelyandwithoutrisktoworksafetywhenusedinthewayitisintended;
• ifimportingthethingtosupplyit,ensuringthedesignerandmanufacturerhavecompliedwiththeirdutiesundertheWorkHealthandSafetyAct;and
• givingtoapersonintendingtousethething,orwhoseworksafetymaybeaffectedbytheuseofthething,informationaboutitsintendeduse,theconditionsnecessaryforittobeusedsafely,and,abouthowtomaintainittoensureitremainssafetouse.
Designers
Apersonincontrolofthedesignofplantorastructuremustensureworksafetyinrelationtothedesignofthatplantorstructurebymanagingrisk.Personsincontrolofplantorsystem
Apersonincontrolofplantorsystem(oritsoperation)mustensureworksafetyinrelationtothatplantorsystembymanagingrisk.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,maintainingtheplantorsysteminawaythatisconsistentwithworksafety.Personsincontrolofpremises
Apersonincontrolofpremiseshasadutytoensureworksafetyinrelationtothepremisesbymanagingrisk.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,
• maintainingthepremisesinawaythatisconsistentwithworksafety;and• providingsafeentryto,andexitfrom,thepremises.
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
Somerelevantlawsandstandards
ThefollowingActsandRegulationsapplytoformwork:
• WorkHealthandSafetyAct2011;• WorkHealthandSafetyRegulation2011;• DangerousSubstancesAct2004;and• DangerousSubstances(General)Regulation2004.
ThefollowingAustralianStandardsarealsorelevant:
• AS3610FormworkforConcrete;• AS/NZ1576Scaffolding;• AS/NZS1576Scaffolding;• AS1657FixedPlatforms,Walkways,Stairways&Ladders;• AS1337EyeprotectorsforIndustrialApplications;• AS1891IndustrialSafetyBeltsandHarnesses;• AS/NZ3000Australian/NewZealandStandardforWiringRules;• AS/NZ3012Electricalinstallations—Constructionanddemolitionsites;and• AS/NZ3760In‐ServiceSafetyInspectionandTestingofElectricalEquipment.
TheabovedocumentshavebeenmentionedinthisCodetoprovideassistanceindirectingreaderstootherlegislativerequirementswhichmayhavesomeapplication.ThelistisnotexhaustiveandisincludedinthisCodebywayofassistanceonly.
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
Definitions
ThesedefinitionsareforthepurposesofthisCode:Constructionworkmeansanyworkcarriedoutonornearaconstructionsiteinrelationtotheconstructionofastructure,including:
• demolishingordismantlingallorpartofthestructureandremovingfromthesiteanythingresultingfromthedemolitionordismantlement;
• assemblingprefabricatedelementstoformthestructureordisassemblingtheprefabricatedelementsthatformedthestructure;
• excavation,landscaping,preparatoryworkorsitepreparationonsite;• workcarriedoutunderwater,includingonabuoy,anobstructiontonavigation,
araft,shiporwreck;butnotincludingexploringfor,orextracting,mineralsorpreparatoryworkinrelationtotheextractioncarriedoutwhereexplorationorextractioniscarriedout.Constructionsitemeansaworkplaceatwhichconstructionworkiscarriedout.Designermeansapersonincontrolof:
thedesignofplantorastructurethatisused,istobeusedorcouldreasonablybeexpectedtobeused,atworkorataworkplace;or
thedesignofastructurethatis,istobeorcouldreasonablybeexpectedtobe,aworkplace.
Formworkmeansthesurface,supportandframingusedtodefinetheshapeofconcreteuntilitisself‐supporting.Note:Thistermincludestheformsonwhichtheconcreteispoured,thesupportswhichwithstandtheloadsimposedbytheformsandtheconcrete,thebracingwhichmaybeaddedtoensurestability,andthefootings.Whencompletetheformworkcanbeknownastheformworkassembly.Supportsandbracingmentionedabovearesometimesknownasfalsework.Formworkcontractor(oftenreferredtoasasubcontractor)meansthepersonresponsiblefortheerectinganddismantlingtheformworkandassociatedequipment.FormworkengineermeansapersonqualifiedforcorporatemembershipoftheInstitutionofEngineers,Australia,havingnotlessthan12months’experienceinthedesignofformworkandwhoisresponsibleforthecoordinationoftheformworkdesign,erectionanddismantlingforaparticularjob.ImporterorSuppliermeansapersonincontrolof:
theimportorsupplyofplant,orastructure,thatisused,istobeusedorcouldreasonablybeexpectedtobeused,atworkorataworkplace;or
theimportorsupplyofastructurethatis,istobeorcouldreasonablybeexpectedtobe,aworkplace
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
butdoesnotincludeapersonwho:
carriesonthebusinessoffinancingthebuyingoruseofthings• byotherpeople; has,inthebusiness,acquiredaninterestinthethingonlyto• financeitsacquisitionbysomeoneelsefromanotherpersonor• itsprovisiontosomeoneelsebyanotherperson; hasnottakenpossessionofthething,orhastakenpossession• ofthethingonlytopasspossessiontotheotherperson;and suppliesthethingtotheotherperson.
Forthepurposesofthisdefinition,apersonalsosuppliesastructurewhentheyhaveownershiporcontrolofthestructure.Apersonmanagesriskbytakingreasonablypracticablesteps:
• toidentifyanyriskthatmightbeassociatedwiththeduty;• toeliminateanyriskthatmightresultifthedutyisnotexercised;and• ifitisnotreasonablypracticabletoeliminateeachriskthatmightresultifthe
dutyisnotexercised—tominimiseeachrisk;
andbyinforminganyoneelsewhohasthedutyaboutthepossiblerisks.Ifapersonisrequiredtominimisearisk,theymustdoeachofthefollowingthatisavailable,inthefollowingorder,untiltheriskisreducedasfarasisreasonablypracticable:
substitutethethinggivingrisetotheriskwithsomethingthatgivesrisetoalesserrisk;
isolatethethinggivingrisetotheriskfromanyoneotherwiseputatrisk; minimisetheriskbyengineeringmeans; minimisetheriskbyadministrativemeans(suchassafeworkingpractices,
training,instructionorinformation);and ensurepersonalprotectiveandsafetyequipmentisused.
Toworkoutwhatarereasonablypracticablestepstoeliminateorminimisearisk,eachofthefollowingmustbeconsidered:
theseriousnessoftherisk; theavailabilityandsuitabilityofwaystoeliminateorminimisetherisk; whatthedutyholderknowsoroughtreasonablytoknowaboutthehazard
givingrisetotherisk,theriskitself,and,waysofeliminatingorminimisingtherisk;
thecostofeliminatingorminimisingtherisk(includingburdensanddisadvantagessuchastimespentandinconvenience);and
anythingelserequiredintheWorkSafetyRegulation.Manufacturermeansapersonincontrolof:
• themanufactureofplantorastructurethatisused,istobeusedorcouldreasonablybeexpectedtobeused,atworkorataworkplace;or
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
• themanufactureofastructurethatis,istobeorcouldreasonablybeexpectedtobe,aworkplace.
Personincontrolofplantorasystemmeansapersonwhoisincontrolofplantorasystemortheoperationoftheplantorsystem.Thisincludesanyonewithauthoritytomakedecisionsabouttheplantorsystem,oritsoperation.Principalcontractor(oftenreferredtoastheheadormaincontractor)meansthepersonwiththeoverallresponsibilityfortheconstructionworkbeingundertaken.Self‐employedpersonmeansanindividualwhoworksforgainorrewardotherwisethanunderacontractofemploymentorapprenticeship,whetherornotheorsheengagesotherworkers.Workermeansanindividualwhocarriesoutworkinrelationtoabusinessorundertaking,whetherforrewardorotherwise,underanarrangementwiththepersonconductingthebusinessorundertaking.Thisincludesemployees,apprentices,independentcontractors,outworkers,workexperiencestudentsandvolunteers.Safeworkmethodstatementmeansa(written)statementthat:
identifiestheworkactivityassessedashavingasafetyriskorrisks; statesthesafetyriskorrisksassociatedwiththatactivity; describesthecontrolmeasuresthatwillbeappliedtotheactivity; describeshowsafetymeasureswillbeimplementedtodotheworksafely;and includesadescriptionoftheequipmentusedinthework,thequalificationsof
involvedworkersandthetrainingrequiredtodotheworksafely.
Safetymanagementplanmeansasite‐specificplantoensureworksafetythatincludes:
astatementofresponsibilities,listingthenames,positionsandresponsibilitiesofallpersonswhohavespecificresponsibilitiesforworksafetyonsite;
detailedarrangementsforensuringcompliancewithinductiontrainingrequirements;
detailedarrangementsfortheco‐ordinationofworksafetyissuesforworkersundertakingconstructionworkonsite;
detailedarrangementsformanagingincidentswhentheyoccur,includingtheidentitiesofandcontactdetailsofpersonswhowillbeavailabletoprevent,preparefor,respondtoandmanagerecoveryfromincidents;
anysitesafetyrules,withdetailedarrangementsforensuringallpersonsatthesite(suchasworkers,contractors,suppliersorvisitors,aretoldoftherules;
thehazardidentification,riskassessmentandriskcontrolinformationforallworkactivitiesassessedashavingsafetyrisks;and
allrequiredsafeworkmethodstatements.
WorkSafetymeansthehealth,safetyandwellbeingofpeopleinrelationtowork.
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
FurtherinformationACTCodesofPractice:
ACTCodeofPracticeforConstructionIndustryAmenities; ACTCodeofPracticeforFirstAidintheWorkplace; ACTCodeofPracticeforSafeDemolitionWork;and ACTCodeofPracticeforSteelConstruction.NationalStandardsadoptedintheACT:
NationalStandardforPlant; NationalCodeofPracticeforNoiseManagementandProtectionofHearingatWork; NationalCodeofPracticeforthePreventionofFallsinGeneralConstruction; NationalCodeofPracticeforthePreventionofFallsinHousingConstruction; NationalCodeofPracticeforthePretensionofMusculoskeletalDisordersfrom
performingManualTasksatWork; NationalStandardforConstructionWork; NationalStandardforManualTasks;and NationalStandardforOccupationalNoise.StandardsAustraliapublications:
• AS1337EyeprotectorsforIndustrialApplications;• AS/NZS1338.2:1992Filtersforprotectionagainstultravioletradiation;• AS/NZS1576Scaffolding;• AS1657FixedPlatforms,Walkways,StairwaysandLadders;• AS1891IndustrialSafetyBeltsandHarnesses;• AS2626IndustrialSafetyBeltsandHarnessesSelection,UseandMaintenance;• AS3610FormworkforConcrete;• AS/NZS4576GuidelinesforScaffolding;• BSEN1263‐1:2002Safetynets.SafetyRequirements,testmethods;• AS/NZ3000Australian/NewZealandStandardforWiringRules;• AS/NZ3012Electricalinstallations—Constructionanddemolitionsites;and• AS/NZ3760In‐ServiceSafetyInspectionandTestingofElectricalEquipment.
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
WheretoGoforMoreInformation
ForfurtherinformationaboutmanagingriskstoworksafetyorabouttheWorkHealthandSafetyAct2011pleasecontacttheOfficeoftheACTWorkSafetyCommissioner:
Phone 0262050333Email worksafety@act.gov.auWeb www.worksafety.act.gov.au
FurtheradvicecanalsobesoughtfromtheOfficeofRegulatoryServices,WorkSafeACT(www.ors.act.gov.au).CopiesoftheWorkHealthandSafetyAct2011andWorkHealthandSafetyRegulation2011areavailableforviewingthroughtheOfficeoftheWorkSafetyCommissioner,theOfficeofRegulatoryServices(ACT)andonlineathttp://www.legislation.act.gov.au.
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
HowWorkSafetyLawsOperateintheACT
TheWorkHealthandSafetyAct2011setsouttheoverallframeworkforworksafetyintheACTandarangeofdutiesdesignedtoensureworksafety,healthandwellbeing.TheActissupportedbyRegulations,CodesofPractice,andavarietyofguidancematerial.WorkSafetyRegulations
TheWorkSafetyRegulationspellsoutminimumstandardsforthesamedutyholderstoensureworksafetyinspecifichazardsandrisks(suchasconstruction,plantandtheperformanceofmanualtasks).Regulationshavetheforceoflawandmustbeadheredto.Failuretocomplymayresultinacriminalpenaltyoron‐the‐spotfine.CodesofPractice
CodesofPracticeprovidepracticalguidanceonhowtocomplywithlegalduties.Codeshaveformalstatus,allowingcourtstoconsiderwhetheraCodehasbeencompliedwithindecidingwhetherlegaldutieshavebeenmet.ThestepssetoutinaCodearenotcompulsorybutyoushouldfollowtheCodeoranequivalentalternative.OtherGuidance
Otherguideshavenoformallegalstatusanddonotestablishcompulsoryduties–theyaredesignedtoassistpeopletocomplywiththeActandRegulations.Theycansometimesbeusedincourtasevidence.NationalStandardsandAustralianStandards
NationalStandardsandNationalCodesofPracticearedevelopedbySafeWorkAustralia(formerlytheAustralianSafetyandCompensationCouncilorNOHSC).These,aswellasACTdevelopedCodesofPractice,areoftendeclaredtoapplyintheACT‐theyarethenmodeldocumentsandlegallyenforceable.AustralianStandardsareseparate,technicalguideswhichmayalsoassistapersonincomplyingwithaparticularworksafetyduty.