Builders Signage Requirements

Builders sign The Work Health & Safety Regulations require building sites to have a builders sign erected in a  position clearly visible from outside of the site, containing the following information: The builders name  (Principal Contractors Name) A contact phone number,  including an after hours phone number The location of the site office (if any).…

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What activities require a High Risk Work Licence

A High Risk Work license is required for any of the following work activities: Crane and hoist operation Dogging and rigging work Forklift operation Pressure equipment operation Scaffolding work. Builders (or Principal Contractors)  are required to check and record the licence details, when a contractor performs any of these tasks on their work site, and…

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Top 8 safety documents for contractors in construction

Contractors in construction are required to have safety documents that comply with the Work Health & Safety (WHS) Regulations, as of 1 January 2014. These documents are sometimes referred to as a “Safety-Pack”, and must readily accessible while working on site, along with your First Aid Kit. If a subcontractor don’t have the correct safety…

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How to review your contractors’ SWMS

If you engage contractors that perform high risk construction work, then you need to collect and review their Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), to avoid on-the-spot fines of $432 (for individual) and $2160 (for company). Here’s what you should look for: The front page of the SWMS contains: ABN and business name of the contractor…

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Safety Checklist for Contractors in Construction

Safety Planning Prepare a folder to store your Safety documents and keep the folder in your vehicle ready for Inspectors and emergencies. Your safety folder should include: Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) for any high risk work. Safety Data Sheets (SDS’s) for any Hazardous chemicals you use. A copy of all your workers White cards.…

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WHS Regulations – What can I be fined for?

A large number of building contractors are unaware of the on-the-spot- fines for breaches of work health & safety laws that took effect on 1st January 2014. The maximum penalty for exposing workers to risk of death or serious injury is now   $600,000 for individual or $3million for body corporate and or 5 Years…

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What Insurances should my Trades have?

When engaging a subcontractor it is best practice to ensure that they have all the relevant insurances to reduce the risk of you being out-of-pocket for their actions.  It’s all about risk, and how much risk you are prepared to take, especially when your best trades don’t have insurances, and you just need to get…

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Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)

What is a Safe Work Method Statement? A safe work Method Statement: Is a document prepared for a contractor Identifies work activities that are “High Risk Construction work” Defines the hazards and risks to health & safety by doing that work Describes the control measure to reduce the risks Are specific for a site Must…

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