What is the Definition of High Risk Construction Work?
High risk construction work is defined in regulation 291 of the WHS Mines Regulations. A PCBU that carries out high risk construction has additional WHS duties. These include requirements to prepare, keep, comply with and review a safe work method statement (SWMS) for the high risk construction work.
What is the Role of the Principal Contractor and PCBU?
A principal contractor or any PCBU conducting construction activities at a mine can meet the intent of a SWMS for high risk construction work if the requirements of r.299 can be demonstrated within one or more documents that form part of the safe system of work for the high risk activity.
What are the Requirements of a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)?
This SWMS must meet all the requirements of r.299, such as:
• details of the high risk construction work activity
• hazards that are present during these activities
• how the risks will be controlled
Everyone involved in the work must be able to access the SWMS and also be able to comprehend its contents.
See Safe Work Method Statements for high risk construction work information sheet and template.
Meaning of a Construction Project
A construction project is a project that involves construction work where five or more people are, or are likely to be, working at the same time at a construction site. A construction project must have a principal contractor, and there can only be one principal contractor at any time.
The PCBU who commissions the construction project is considered the principal contractor for the project, unless they engage another PCBU as principal contractor and authorise them to have management or control of the workplace.
What is a WHS Management Plan for a Construction Project?
A WHS management plan for construction work is a documented plan to manage site health and safety. The contents of this plan must include the:
• names, positions and WHS responsibilities of all people with WHS roles connected to the project
• arrangements in place between PCBUs at the workplace for consultation, cooperation and the coordination of activities
• arrangements in place for managing WHS incidents
• site-specific health and safety rules, and describe how all people at the workplace will be informed of these rules
• how SWMS will be collected, assessed, monitored and reviewed
Additional Information in a WHS Management Plan
The WHS management plan can include additional information, such as:
• hazardous chemicals register and storage
• safe use and storage of plant
• site traffic management plans
The WHS management plan may draw from other aspects of the mine safety management system (MSMS). All people working on a construction project must be made aware of the contents of the WHS management plan. It must also be made available for those people to inspect.