*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.