SafeWork SA Announces Second Round of EWP Compliance Checks

SafeWork SA has announced a statewide Elevated Working Platform (EWP) compliance audit, commencing the week of 08/07/2020 and lasting 3 months.

Mobile EWPs carry significant risk to both operators and other workers. Any personnel responsible for the operation of an EWP requires proper training and support to ensure that any and all work is conducted safely.

After a successful audit in 2019, SafeWork SA inspectors will be conducting checks across a wide range of industries including construction sites.

SafeWork SA’s 2019 audit lasted a period of 6 months, involving 336 site visits and 261 compliance audits.

Of the 87 statutory notices issued as a result of non-compliance, building and construction industries topped the list with 23 statutory notices, 5 of which were Prohibition Notices relating to serious safety risks.

The building and construction industries received more than 50% of their notices do to having either no or inadequate SWMS.

Five notices were issued for maintenance, four of which concerned inadequate log book use. A further two notices cited a lack of emergency descent and rescue procedures.

So what can be done to meet compliance?

SafeWork SA has released a new guideline for mobile elevating work platforms to assist personnel working with EWPs.

This includes information to provide guidance for ground support personnel during operation of an EWP.

SafeWork SA has also included a checklist outlining the minimum standard of training requirements to ensure that operators are properly trained and competent.

For a more detailed look at the 2019 EWP Audit see SafeWork SA’s Report.

As with all high risk work, managing safety is essential. Pre-start checklists, preparing SWMS, and ensuring workers have met their training requirements are essential in maintaining a safe work environment.

SiteBook is an Australian safety management system for construction companies, builders, trades, and contractors.

The SiteBook Mobile App lets you:

• Generating site specific SWMS on-site
• Complete JSA / Quality / Pre-start checklists
• Monitor the Plant & Equipment list + maintenance logs
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