CONTRACTOR WHS SYSTEM STANDARD HIGH RISK CONSTRUCTION WORK EXTERNAL USE ONLY
Principles in the Optus Contractor WHS management process CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT STAGES PRINCIPLES THIS STANDARD REQUISITION Requisition WHS hazard areas are a key consideration in the selection of the appropriate procurement channel. PROCUREMENT CHANNEL SELECTION SPECIFICATION EVALUATION APPROVAL AND RELEASE Specification Hazard areas and Optus expectations in relation to these are communicated to potential providers in relevant project / task requirements (e.g. tenders, statement of works, purchase orders). Appropriate WHS specifications are included in the tender / statement of work conditions / purchase order (if required) and are reflective of Optus role (e.g. principal contractor). Evaluation The contractor submission suggests they are competent to manage the task and WHS risks of their workplace. ENGAGEMENT Engagement All parties have a consistent understanding of their mutual accountabilities as they relate to WHS risk management. Appropriate WHS specifications and obligations are included in the relevant contracts negotiated and signed by Optus. MONITORING Monitoring Relevant WHS controls are implemented and monitored at the workplace to manage the specific conditions and WHS risks of that workplace. SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE? HANDOVER CLOSE AND REVIEW Handover Customers (internal and external) are made aware of potential risk areas and legislative expectations at handover. Close and review Contractor WHS performance is assessed and considered when using the contractor in future. Project feedback is captured and used to enhance the contractor WHS management process.
IMPORTANT NOTE THIS CONTRACTOR WORKPLACE HEALTH SAFETY (WHS) STANDARD HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO ASSIST OPTUS CONTRACTORS IN THE EXECUTION OF OPTUS CONTRACTED WORKS. THE STANDARD MUST BE ENACTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER APPLICABLE OPTUS CONTRACT CONDITIONS REGARDING WHS AND THE GOVERNING LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. WHILE THIS STANDARD HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN CONSIDERATION OF THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IT IS NOTED THAT WHERE ANY LEGAL REQUIREMENT EXCEEDS THIS STANDARD THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT SHALL TAKE PRECEDENCE. Purpose and scope This Contractor WHS Standard (Standard) High Risk Construction Work aims to establish minimum WHS requirements for Optus Contractors when undertaking high risk construction works. In addition, this Standard supports the Commonwealth WHS Act 2011 (Act) where a duty is imposed (under the Act) on a person to ensure health and safety, it requires the person to eliminate so far as is reasonably practicable, and if it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risks to health and safety, to minimise those risks so far as is reasonably practicable to workers. The Commonwealth WHS Regulations 2011 (Regulations) defines high risk construction work (and as applied to the type of works Optus Contractors typically undertake) as: a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres; work carried out on telecommunication towers; demolition of an element of a structure that is load bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure; or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos; structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse; work carried out in or near a confined space; work carried out in or near a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 metres or a tunnel; work carried out on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping; work carried out on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines; work carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services; work carried out in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere; work carried out on, in or adjacent to a road, railway or other traffic corridor that is in use by traffic other than pedestrians; work carried out in an area at a workplace in which there is any movement of powered mobile plant; work carried out in an area in which there are artificial extremes of temperature; and work carried out in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning. The Act and Regulations, are further supported by the provisions of the Commonwealth Code of Practice (CoP) How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks 2011. This Standard applies to entities contracted to Optus where high risk construction work is undertaken and these activities are a part of their scope of works. Roles and responsibilities Optus Contractors, so far as is reasonably practicable, are generally responsible for: Complying with all contractual obligations for ensuring workplace health and safety. Reviewing Optus risk management processes such as Risk Register(s) and this Standard and factor this information into their safe systems of work.
Establishing accountability and authorities for risk management and ensuring a competent person undertakes the risk assessment and is provided with all the necessary information to enable the works to be carried out in safe manner. Conducting risk management Hazard Identification Risk Assessment & Control (HIRAC) and documenting the outcome(s) as a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) or similar, and in accordance with applicable legislative and industry standards including legal provisions for high risk construction work. Providing communication and consultation to workers and their representatives, as related to high risk construction work. Keeping and maintaining a SWMS until the completion of work or where a notifiable incident occurs, a copy of the SWMS for a period of 2 years. Developing emergency preparedness and response provisions for works, this may include plans and procedures, rescue plans, external notifications and response hardware. Investigating and reporting incidents, accidents, dangerous occurrences and illness within the required contractual reporting period to Optus and where required to the applicable Regulator. In addition to the above, Optus Contractors, so far as is reasonably practicable, are specifically responsible for: Documenting the outcomes of the risk assessment such as a SWMS or similar and in consideration of: The type of high risk construction work, its risk profile, hazards and controls. The planned arrangements for any WHS information, training, instruction or supervision. The manner in which it is expressed, communicated and its accessibility. The Workplace Health Safety Management Plan (if the high risk construction work is carried out in connection with a construction project as defined by the WHS Regulations 2011). The planned arrangements to ensure the works are carried out in accordance with the SWMS. The planned arrangements for monitoring and reviewing of the controls as specified in the SWMS. The planned arrangements for the revision of the SWMS when changes to the workplace are made, new or used plant and equipment is purchased or hired, design changes, new hazards are identified, new information is secured, WHS issues are raised by workers, when using hazardous substances or where required by the regulator. The planned arrangements for emergency preparedness response provisions specifically developed for the high risk work activities being undertaking. Work planning Work planning includes, but is not limited to: Identifying a risk management process in order to manage the hazards and risks associated with high risk construction work. Ensuring the risk management process associated with high risk construction work is carried out by a competent person(s). Identifying the required licences, certification, training and / or competencies for persons undertaking high risk construction work. Identifying relevant Commonwealth, State, Territory and local statutory requirements for high risk construction work.
Identify the contractual relationships between the parties (e.g. client, Principal Contractor, Construction Manager, Constructor, Project Manager, Engineer, Contractor, etc.) to ensure the roles and responsibilities for high risk construction work are clearly communicated and catered for. Identifying the type of works to be undertaken and the appropriate high risk construction work risk controls to be applied. Planning for high risk construction works that have hazards with exposure standards, such as noise and airborne contaminants, and the specific types of risk controls to be engaged. Planning for all potential emergency preparedness and response procedures appropriate for the particular circumstance. Document control Uncontrolled when Printed. Control Source: Optus Document System: Document CWHSS_S_St04_OM38061_V1F_15 th September 2014. Authorised / Owner: Optus WHS Team. Implement work planning In order to establish a safe workplace, the implementation of the above Work Planning, may include, but not be limited to the following: No SAMPLE - WORK PLANNING CHECKLIST YES NO NA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Ensuring any residual design risk emanating from the Design Plan, Safety Report or similar is managed during construction, operation and/or maintenance and in accordance with the hierarchy of controls. Approving, communicating, consulting and implementing the risk assessment once the residual design risk emanating from the Design Plan, Safety Report or similar has been transferred into the workplace risk assessment. Ensuring the Principal Contractor is in receipt of a copy of the risk assessment such as a SWMS for high risk construction work. Conducting workplace inspections to identify high risk construction work hazards and risks and apply the necessary WHS control(s) and in accordance with the hierarchy of controls. Analysing any information and advice concerning high risk construction work hazards and risks and consider this information and advice when framing and documenting workplace risk assessment such as a SWMS. Providing access to information, training and instruction for workers having regards to the nature of the high risk construction work, the type of hazards and risks and the control measures. Securing necessary certificates and competencies required for undertaking high risk construction works including licencing, certificates and competencies requirements. Revising the risk assessment where changes to the workplace affect worker health and safety (e.g. when design is revised, altered or updated, when new or used plant and equipment is purchased or hired, new hazard is identified, when new information is secured, where WHS issues are raised by workers and when using hazardous chemicals and substances). Providing the necessary plant and equipment including personal protective equipment where the workplace risk assessment so determines. Ensuring the provision to cease unsafe work is upheld, where a worker or their health and safety representative, has a reasonable concern that to carry out the works would expose the worker to a serious risk to the worker s health and safety. Ensuring where the work is not in accordance with the risk assessment the work is stopped immediately or as soon as is reasonably practicably, and that the works recommence only
12. 13. when in compliance with the risk assessment. Ensuring the workplace risk assessment is verified and audited at specified intervals, detailing any non-conformance, corrective actions and documented control. Ensuring emergency preparedness and response provisions such as plans, procedures, communications (internal and external) and hardware such as fire extinguishers are in place for the works and they are scheduled for testing at regular intervals.