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Site Safety Plans & Construction WHS Management Plans

Who Requires a WHS Management Plan?

According to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the principal contractor of a construction project must create a written Work Health and Safety (WHS) management plan for the workplace before commencing work on the project. Essentially, a WHS management plan should detail the principal contractor’s WHS policies, training, risk management procedures, subcontractor management, injury management, and ongoing monitoring and review processes.
The principal contractor has the responsibility to ensure that all individuals working on the project are familiar with the content of the WHS management plan and their right to review it before they commence work on the project.

Additionally, the principal contractor must regularly review the WHS management plan to ensure its currency and inform relevant parties of any updates.

For construction projects with a cost of $250,000 or more, a written work health and safety management plan must be prepared for the workplace by the principal contractor. This plan should be in place before commencing work on the construction project. It should encompass measures to eliminate risks or minimise workplace hazards to the extent reasonably practicable.

By implementing a Work Health and Safety Management Plan for your work site, your business can seamlessly manage WHS from the planning stage to project delivery. This comprehensive approach ensures that safety considerations are integrated into every aspect of the project, promoting a safer and healthier work environment for all involved.

WHAT IS CONSTRUCTION WORK?

Construction work encompasses a wide range of activities related to structures, including construction, alteration, conversion, fitting-out, commissioning, renovation, repair, maintenance, refurbishment, demolition, decommissioning, or dismantling. This definition, as per Regulation 289, encompasses various tasks and projects within the construction industry.

WHAT IS WHS MANAGEMENT PLAN?

A WHS management plan outlines the measures and protocols to effectively handle work health and safety in a construction project. Its primary purpose is to ensure proper management of risks in complex construction ventures, where numerous contractors and subcontractors are involved, and situations can change rapidly. The plan must be documented and easily comprehensible to all workers, including contractors and subcontractors.

While it might not be necessary for all workers to be familiar with the entire WHS management plan, they must be informed about the relevant sections that pertain to their specific tasks. A Site Safety Plan, also known as Site Safety Management Plans (SSMP), is mandated by law for construction sites. Safety Above Consultants can develop customised Site Safety Plans that adhere to the requirements of different states, the Australian Government, and AS4801 standards. These plans can be tailored to cover various aspects of your project, from specific components to the entire undertaking.

The WHS management plan should include the following:

The plan must outline:

  • Names, positions, and responsibilities of individuals with health and safety roles related to the project.
  • Arrangements for consultation, cooperation, and coordination between different parties at the workplace to ensure compliance with duties.
  • Protocols for managing work health and safety incidents that may occur.
  • Site-specific health and safety rules.
  • Methods for informing all individuals at the workplace about health and safety rules, such as pre-start meetings, site inductions, and toolbox talks.
  • Procedures for collecting, assessing, monitoring, and reviewing safe work method statements at the workplace.

Additionally, it may include information on:

  • The hazardous chemicals register, safety data sheets, and storage of hazardous chemicals.
  • Safe usage and storage of plant and equipment.
  • Development of a construction project traffic management plan.
  • Obtaining and providing essential services information.
  • Workplace security and public safety measures.
  • Ensuring workers possess appropriate licenses and training for construction work.

Informing people about the WHS management plan:

“The principal contractor must ensure that all individuals engaged in construction work on the project are made aware of the WHS plan’s content relevant to their work and their right to inspect the plan.”

Reviewing and revising a WHS management plan:

The WHS management plan must be regularly reviewed and, if necessary, revised to remain current and applicable to the construction project’s stage.

Keeping the WHS management plan:

The WHS management plan, along with any revisions, must be retained and made available to individuals involved in the construction work for inspection until the project’s completion and for at least two years after any notifiable incident occurs.

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