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Safety
Guidelines

Update 4 August 2022

DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL AJG AUSTRALIA SITES (INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL TRADES)

The purpose of this notification / update is to specifically notify all Trades, Contractors, and Sub-Contractors of the basic documentation AJG Australia requires to be available upon request when an HSEQ Officer visits any site for an audit or inspection.

Please Note: It is a legal requirement to produce your White Card and any High-Risk Work Licences for visual inspection by either a SafeWork or WorkSafe Inspector or AJG Australia Management or its HSEQ Officers at any point of time – even if it has been produced at an induction or during on-boarding to AJG Australia beforehand.

Below is a list of compulsory site documents:

1. SWMS (Safe Work Method Statements) for High-Risk Work

The purpose of a SWMS

·  To assist Supervisors, Workers, and any other person/s in the workplace to understand the requirements that have been established to carry out the high-risk work in a safe manner.
·  The content of a SWMS should provide clear direction on the control measures to
be implemented.
·  The control measures should be clearly specified.
·  There should be no statements that require a decision to be made by Supervisors or Workers.

For example: The statement “Use appropriate PPE” does not detail the control measures.

The SWMS MUST include:

·  Description of the task or activity to be undertaken
·  Identify the resources, manpower and skills associated with the risk
·  Access and select control measures (where needed)
·  Systematically plan the activity so it can be completed safely, efficiently, and effectively

2. Risk Assessments

Note: Risk Assessments are not the magic bullet for eliminating harm in the workplace, however they play a key role in any good Health and Safety Site Management Plan.

The purpose of Risk Assessments:

·  Identifying which workers are at risk of exposure and the associated exposure level/s
·  Determining what sources and processes are causing the risk/s
·  Identifying if and which control measures should be implemented, and
·  Checking the effectiveness of existing control measures.

The Risk Assessment MUST include:

·  Identifying of possible hazards and risks
·  Determine where and how the damage/risk/injury may occur
·  The control measures you put in place to mitigate the risk
·  Identifying all possible outcomes of the risk

3. Pre-Work Safety Checks (PWSC)

Note: There are two types of PWSC’s. The first is a Project based Pre-Work Safety Check which outlines basic requirements specific to the job site. (Similar to a Pre-Start or Toolbox Talk)

The second, (which is modified to be specific to each type of plant or equipment) is a daily inspection that ensures the safety of plant and equipment before each use.

It is a more thorough inspection of machine safety and maintenance. There is also a section to track and record machinery repair logs.  

The purpose of PWSC’s

·  Identify all project health, safety, and security considerations
·  Identify all required forms and documentation to show that the proposed work will meet all WHS Regulations, Codes or Practice and AJGA Safety Policies and Procedures
·  Identify and record all necessary checks to ensure the safe operation and use of plant and equipment
·  Allowing of hazards and control measures to be prioritised in organisations where attention and resources are being demanded on multiple things at the same time.

The PWSC MUST include:

(For the first kind – project)

·  Contractor and Subcontractor safety requirements
·  Building access requirements
·  Building utilities and systems requirements
·  Hazardous materials requirements
·  Working at Heights requirements
·  Confined Space Requirements
·  Project and Construction Requirements, Project Plans and Scope

(For the second kind – plant or equipment)

·  A visual inspection checklist for the condition of the plant or equipment
·  A visual inspection checklist for any leaks or damage of the plant or equipment
·  Are safety guards and safety measures in place prior to use
·  To inspect (If a forklift) Gas bottle or batteries secured properly (checking all leads, hose flanges, service and registration dates, and if everything on the plant or equipment is secured properly)
·  To inspect (If a forklift) Checking of fluid levels ie: battery water levels, hydraulic fluids, brake fluid, transmission fluid etc.
·  To inspect (If a forklift) Tyres – (inflation, psi and condition) wheels including wheel nuts
·  To inspect (If a forklift) Condition of tilt rams, side shafts, reach, foot guards, lifting chains (equal length and condition) roller bearing, lift ram and mast condition, apron guard, security of fork locking pins.
·  To inspect service and logbook to ensure plant or equipment is within service intervals

4. High-Risk licences and tickets, White Cards, Working at Heights, Confined Space (Work in a Confined Space)

NOTE: You will need a valid High-Risk Work Licence (HRWL) to engage in any of the following work:

·  Operation of any overhead cranes and hoists
·  Dogging and Rigging work
·  Driving a forklift
·  Erecting or dismantling scaffolding – regardless of height (Scaffold Basic Minimum)
·  Operation of boilers or other pressure equipment
·  Operation of welders MIG, Stick, TIG etc
·  Operation of concrete placing booms
·  Operation of an elevated work platform
·  Operation of a reach stacker
·  Working at heights
·  Working in confined spaces

The above will require the formulation of a site-specific SWMS. If there is scaffolding or elevated working platforms (EWP) work being conducted, it is a requirement to have completed a current Working at Heights qualification in addition to an HRWL.

When using plant or equipment e.g., EWP, forklift, stackers, concrete booms, there MUST be a maintenance log, pre-start logbook to demonstrate evidence that the plant has been maintained and any defects have been recorded and repaired BEFORE each use.

Trade Certificates MUST also be produced when requested by AJGA’S HSEQ Officers.

Please also note:  It is a requirement that any of the HRWL must display evidence of their qualifications. This evidence must be logged and kept on file for a minimum of 7 years. This also includes:

·  Training registers
·  Toolbox talks/discussions
·  Sign on/off forms
·  SWMS
·  Qualifications of any Contractors or Sub-Contractors onsite

5. Summary of Proposed Works (S.O.P)

 An S.O.P. is site dependant. If the project is below $250,000 and the projected life span of works is a week or longer, an S.O.P. may be required. Below is an example of an S.O.P and how it should be completed.

Please note: The Supervisor field will assist the HSEQ Team when directing enquiries about questions that we may need to ask when conducting our site audits and inspections where the Supervisor may not be present onsite.

Example only:

6. Safe Use of Ladders

What are the risks/hazards associated with the use of ladders?

·  Falls from height – resulting in serious injury or death (even a fall from 1 meter can cause a lethal or serious injury)
·  Electrocution by touching overhead electrical wires
·  Items falling from above onto persons below
·  Unauthorised use of ladder
·  Ladder slipping whilst worker on it/using it
·  Incorrect use of ladder or not assembling/erecting ladder correctly

What are the controls for the Safe Use of Ladders?

ALWAYS:

·  Inspect ladder/s prior to use to ensure there are no defects or damage
·  Complete a ladder risk assessment prior to use to determine:

        ·  weather conditions if outside
        ·  the structural integrity of what you are about to climb onto
        ·  what are the hazards around you and are all hazards considered and controlled?

·  Secure either the top or bottom of a ladder and where possible both top and bottom using ladder mounts
·  Use provided gutter bracket where appropriate
·  Set ladder up on a level solid ground
·  LOOK UP for electrical wires and avoid the area
·  Avoid excessive stretching or leaning. (Belt buckle to always remain between stiles)
·  Ensure ladder reaches 1m higher than the level you will get on and off from the ladder
·  Always use the “1 in 4 Rule”. The ladder should be 4 times higher than the distance from the bottom of the
ladder to the vertical surface.

Finally, an extended thanks to @Jarrod Keith for his input on this update. Jarrod is highly skilled and qualified in working at heights, scaffolding erection and dismantling, HAZCHEM response and more. With decades of experience Jarrod and the rest of the HSEQ Team can assist with your safety needs.

If you are unsure of any of the above information in this notification, you require assistance with your onsite documentation, or unsure of what documentation is required of you, please don’t hesitate to contact me or your local HSEQ Officer.

Please be safe.

Kind Regards,
George Kiotis
HSEQ Team Lead

Important Contact Details

For Queensland,
your HSEQ Officers are:

Jarrod Keith
HSEQ Officer
jarrod.keith@ajgaustralia.com.au
0438 042 326

Ricardo Iriarte
HSEQ Officer
ricardo.iriarte@ajgaustralia.com.au

0467 355 901

For New South Wales – Sydney Region,
your HSEQ Officer is:

George Kiotis
HSEQ Officer
george.kiotis@ajgaustralia.com.au
0477 355 901

 

For New South Wales – Northern NSW Region,
your HSEQ Officer is:

Martin Rees
HSEQ Officer
martin.rees@ajgaustralia.com.au

0477 355 901

For New South Wales – Wollongong/SouthCoast Region,
your HSEQ Officer is:

Arthur Jones
HSEQ Officer
arthur.jones@ajgaustralia.com.au

0473 255 890