6.Construction-specific requirements:#
There are a number of specific requirements for workplaces where construction work is being performed, including:
- preparing a work health and safety management plan where the project value is greater than $250,000
- developing safe work method statements (SWMS) for high-risk construction work
- implementing traffic control arrangements.
Below are the results of the items within this section for the 202 construction workplaces assessed by inspectors.
| WHS management plan prepared that covers traffic management issues | SWMS prepared for high-risk construction work involving powered mobile plant | All workers made aware of WHS management plan before commencing work | Traffic control arrangements to prevent workers being hit by moving road traffic | SWMS prepared for high-risk construction work performed on or near a road | Road or footpath closures in accordance with relevant permits and not present risk to other road users |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.888 | 1.929 | 1.929 | 1.987 | 1.940 | 1.938 |
These findings show high levels of compliance with construction-specific requirements. However, these items largely relate to the presence of paperwork or documentation to explain how a workplace is managing risks. Although implementation levels were high, gaps were identified in key areas, including non-compliance with SWMs prepared for high-risk work involving powered mobile plant. Almost 10 per cent of workplaces that had prepared a SWMs were not or only partially carrying out work in accordance with the SWMs.
The dynamic nature of construction workplaces can make reviewing the implementation or effectiveness of control measures challenging. However, it can also provide scope to re-design the site layout to eliminate interactions between pedestrians and vehicles more than in a static or fixed workplace environment (e.g. factory).
The Traffic Management for Construction or Maintenance Work Code of Practice 2008 provides practical guidance to achieving compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.
