bbtdigital_admin, Author at HazardCo AU

Digging into the ground might seem straightforward, but excavation work is actually one of the most dangerous parts of construction. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead and put the right safety measures in place to keep everyone safe on site.

Start with a solid plan

Before you get started, take some time to plan things out. Planning involves identifying the hazards, assessing the risks, and deciding suitable controls — all with input from the team. Every site is different, so take its unique features into account.

Watch out for these common excavation risks:

Securing the area
Keep excavations fenced off with sturdy barriers that won’t give way if someone leans or falls against them. If you’re not actively working in or near the trench, cover it up or backfill it as soon as possible.
Falls from height
If there’s a chance someone could fall from one level to another, it’s considered working at height. Make sure you have effective controls in place to prevent falls.
Ground collapse
This is one of the biggest dangers. Don’t assume the ground will stay put. Use shoring, benching, or battering to prevent it from caving in.
Safe ways in and out
Make sure workers have safe access at all times. Keep the bottom of the excavation clear so nothing blocks a quick exit in an emergency.
Underground and overhead services
Always contact Before You Dig Australia. Know what’s under and above you — hidden services can be a major hazard if you hit them.
Water in the trench
Never let workers operate in a trench that has water pooling in it unless you’ve got the right safety controls in place.
Do you need to notify construction excavation work?
Some excavation work needs to be reported to WorkSafe Victoria before you begin. If that’s the case, you will need to notify at least three days before work starts.

Keeping yourself and your team safe is what matters most. Make sure you’re clear on your responsibilities when it comes to managing excavation risks.

Need a hand? The HazardCo App has helpful resources for site reviews and risk controls. And if you’ve got questions or need support, just reach out to the HazardCo team – we’re here to help.

When you’re able to get back on site after a flood or storm, here are the hazards, risks and control measures you should consider to help reduce the risk of injury and illness to yourself, your workers and others involved in the clean up and repair effort.

Some common hazards following a storm or flood:

Electrical – Water damage, loss of power, damaged electrical installations
Biological hazards and fauna – Contaminated floodwater and displaced fauna
Asbestos – Damaged building materials that contain asbestos
Slips, trips and falls – Uneven surfaces from storm/ floods
Hazardous chemicals – Buried, moved or damaged hazardous chemical containers including corrosives, oils, pesticides
Psychological stress – Remember to check on your team, the emotional impacts of a storm or flood can be overwhelming, particularly if they are dealing with personal damage

Risk Management

Identify the hazards – What are the hazards on your site including any newly introduced hazards due to the storm or flood?
Assess the level of risk – What is the likelihood of exposure to the hazard, and the consequences (what harm could be done)?
Control the risk – Identify and implement suitable control measures and ensure the risk has been reduced to an acceptable level prior to undertaking related work.
Review the control measures – Regularly assess how effective the controls are. It’s important to stop work and reassess if conditions change or if you have introduced any new hazards.

Safety tips when undertaking the cleanup and repair work

Work out the order of the work to be done so that new risks are not introduced, e.g. if you move things in the wrong order is there a possibility of creating instability.
Ensure surfaces are stable and access to areas with unstable floors are safe.
Have a licensed electrical contractor check any electrical appliances or equipment you suspect has been submerged or damaged.
Check in and under objects before attempting to move them as snakes, spiders and other undomesticated animals may be taking refuge from flood waters.
Consider workers performing cleanup in teams/ pairs where possible.
Wash your hands well before eating and drinking, after contact with mud, flood water and contaminated items and equipment.
Make sure that workers have the correct personal protective equipment to prevent injuries such as cuts and scratches or infections from contaminated flood water.
Check that your workers and contractors are not fatigued or potentially unfit to work, i.e due to mental health stressors.
Agree on what situations workers should remove themselves from, where the risk cannot be reduced to an acceptable level. Some work may have to be delayed until water subsides and other factors.
Ensure emergency procedures are discussed for the site with all workers.

Dust is a common hazard in the construction industry, especially during demolition or refurbishment. When buildings are demolished they can release materials that create hazardous dust (airborne contaminants) which can be hazardous to workers’ health. Understanding the risks will help you to identify how best to manage the risks.

Why is dust dangerous?

Exposure to hazardous dust can lead to serious health conditions, including:

Silicosis – A lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica dust, common in concrete, brick, and stone materials.
Lung Cancer – Prolonged exposure to certain airborne contaminants increases the risk.
Asthma & COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) – Inhaling dust particles can trigger or worsen respiratory conditions.
Skin & Eye Irritations – Dust exposure can cause infections and long-term discomfort.

Health and exposure monitoring
As a business, you have a duty to monitor your workers’ health when they’re exposed to certain substances and other hazardous materials. Regular health monitoring helps identify early signs of illness and ensures that the dust control measures in place are working effectively.

Health monitoring process should include:

collection of workers’ demographic, medical and occupational histories
records of workers’ exposure
respiratory questionnaire and function tests
in some cases, chest x-ray or other radiological procedure

It is important that you get your worker’s consent to monitor their health and engage them in this process.

Health monitoring should be carried out by a trained and competent person. They will also give recommendations based on the health monitoring results.

How to control dust exposure on-site
Controls to minimise the exposure to dust in the workplace could include:

on-tool dust extraction systems – attach vacuum extraction directly to power tools
water suppression – dampen materials to prevent dust from becoming airborne
personal protective equipment (PPE) – ensure workers wear correctly fitted masks and protective gear

Making sure your workers have the right tools and information to complete the job safely includes training and understanding the risks involved, what to do if anything should go wrong, as well as the correct use, storage, and maintenance of PPE.

Other controls to consider are:

limiting worker exposure – keep unnecessary personnel away from dusty areas
task rotation – reduce the time any one worker spends in high-dust zones
Dust containment – using sheeting or temporary screens to enclose the work to stop dust from escaping

Complete a SWMS for your demolition work through the HazardCo APP. This helps assess the risks and plan safe work processes. Involve your team so everyone can contribute and understand the plan.

Our team of health and safety experts are just a call away if you have any questions or would like to discuss further.

The holiday season is over and now it’s time to get back into the swing of things. Coming back to work and reopening your site is just as important as shutting it down. The New Year is the perfect opportunity to refocus and set the tone for the year ahead. Coming back to work after a couple of weeks off can give some people a serious case of Mondayitis, so consider taking the following steps on the first day back:

Hold a kick-off Toolbox meeting to re-brief the team

Rather than diving straight into work, start with a kick-off toolbox talk. This is an essential step to rebrief your team on the SSSP (Site-Specific Safety Plan), emergency procedures, and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS). Use this time to check that all workers are fit for work and mentally prepared after the break.

Complete a Site Review to identify any new hazards

Perform a site review to identify any new hazards or potential risks that may have emerged during the downtime. Check that fences are still secure and containers are locked.

Inspect Structures, Scaffolding, and Excavations

After a break, it’s crucial to ensure all structures and scaffolds are intact. Inspect scaffolds, check excavations, and assess other infrastructure that may have been affected by weather conditions during your time off. Ensure everything is in working order before resuming normal operations.

Check Tools, Equipment, and Mobile Plant

Before use, inspect all tools and equipment to confirm they are in good condition. It’s also vital to pre-start mobile plant to ensure it’s functioning correctly.

Start Slow: Prioritize a Safe and Smooth Transition

Consider a soft start to your operations. Allow your team the time to properly check their work areas, inspect equipment, and remind everyone that safety is the number one priority. This includes keeping in mind workers don’t overheat after spending the last couple of weeks in air conditioning, relaxing, and indulging. They may not be acclimatised to working in the heat.

Manage the Risks of Working in Hot Conditions

As the weather heats up, so can risk on-site. Make sure that workers are provided with adequate protection from working in the heat so that they can do their work safely and comfortably. Here are some steps to help mitigate these risks:

- - Provide Adequate Shade and Shelter: Set up shade tents or additional undercover areas if working outdoors. Ensure that windows are open, or fans are in use in indoor workspaces.
  - Ensure Hydration and Protection from the Sun: Workers should have constant access to drinking water, sunscreen, and wear appropriate PPE like lightweight clothing, sunglasses, and sun-protective hats.
  - Monitor Heat-Related Illness: Not everyone reacts to heat the same way. Be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness such as dizziness, nausea, pale skin, rapid breathing, heat cramps, and dehydration. If a worker shows signs of heat illness, provide first aid and seek medical attention if necessary.
Know When to Stop Work in Extreme Heat

If temperatures are dangerously high, it’s sometimes best to stop work until conditions improve. Consider shifting physical tasks to machinery for tasks such as lifting or digging, reducing the exposure to extreme heat.

Support and Look Out for One Another

Safety is a shared responsibility. Encourage your team to keep an eye on each other and to report any symptoms of heat stress. Prevention is key, but swift action can prevent more severe conditions from developing. For the early stages of heat-related illness, first aid can often be effective, but you should always seek medical assistance if in doubt, or if the person’s symptoms are severe.

Symptoms to look out for are:

- - Dizziness and feeling weak
  - Vomiting and nausea
  - Pale, cool and clammy skin
  - Rapid breathing and shortness of breath
  - Heat cramps resulting from heavy sweating without replacing salt and electrolytes
  - Dehydration from increased sweating and workers not drinking enough water

Be prepared this summer and make sure to keep the health, safety, and well-being of workers front of mind. Refer to the below resources for more information:

If you have any questions you can contact our Advisory Team on 1800 954 702.

The holiday season is almost upon us, and we’re all eager to have a bit of a rest, recharge, and spend quality time with our families. As we wind up 2024, it is a demanding time for construction as we try to complete jobs before the holiday shutdown. This can make it tempting to take shortcuts, however, it can also lead to an increase in incidents, with the last two months of the year seeing a spike in workplace incidents.

Common factors can include time pressure, working in the heat, and fatigue. It’s important to keep the health, safety, and well-being of workers front of mind.

It’s necessary to start preparing for the Christmas shutdown so that you don’t have any interruptions during your break or come to a nasty surprise on your first day back. This is particularly important with residential sites which are mostly in populated areas.

Unsecured sites could be hazardous to members of the public, especially children, particularly with sites near parks, schools, homes or recreational areas. Children are unaware of the dangers of a construction site so keeping them out is key.

A safe and secure site is more than just locking the gates. Ask yourself the following questions:

Is the worksite fenced off from the public and the boundary secure?
Make sure your site is securely fenced and all entrances are locked. Ensure your fencing is a sufficient height and that the gap at the bottom isn’t too big that people including children could squeeze through underneath.
Is clear signage present to warn people of danger?
Make sure your Hazard Board is up to date listing the current hazards and your contact details are clearly visible in case something does pop up you can be contacted quickly. If you need to order a project for your job this can be done through the HazardCo HUB.
Have steps been taken to prevent any unauthorised access, e.g. are all ladders removed or their rungs boarded so they can’t be used?
Remove any temptation to access hazardous areas. Where practical, remove all ladders from the site, including scaffolding and excavation ladders, or block access to these accessways.
Are excavations and openings securely covered, fenced off, or backfilled?
Cover and fence off any excavations to prevent potential falls. Where practical backfilling excavations are recommended.
Is all plant immobilised to prevent unauthorised use?
If you are unable to remove your vehicles or plant from the site, make sure they are left in a secure area, preferably out of sight and the keys removed.
Are materials safely stacked and secured?
Ensure building materials are safely stacked and stored so they can’t topple or be knocked over.
Are all flammable or dangerous substances locked away in secure storage places?
Lock up your hazardous substances in secure storage appropriate for the type of substances being stored. Where possible remove hazardous substances from the site.
Are temporary structures stable and able to withstand bad weather conditions?
Check your temporary structures such as scaffolding and barriers to ensure they are secure and stable. Taking into consideration the changing weather.
Has the mains power been switched off?
Make sure the builder’s temporary or main power supply and switchboard are switched off and locked out.
Do unwanted construction materials and waste need to be removed from the site?
A quick clean-up can make a big difference. Make sure you remove all waste and empty skip bins on site.

Download our Site Security Checklist for a comprehensive list.

Some other things to consider

Doing a Site Review on the HazardCo App on the last day before you lock up will ensure you haven’t missed anything. Completing one when you return back to site gives you the opportunity to pick any additional hazards that may have occurred while away.
Although not recommended, if you do have lone workers on-site over the holiday season, ensure you have a lone worker policy in place. Key points are setting up regular check-ins, first aid kit on hand, a trained first aider, and to not carry out any high-risk work. See our lone worker article for more details.
In higher risk areas you may want to consider organising security to do regular patrols.

Taking the time to prepare your site for the holiday shutdown can help to make sure you get to spend uninterrupted time with your family and friends.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your Health and Safety please give our Advisory Team a call on 1800 954 702 or email info@hazardco.com.

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable break over the holiday season!

When you have an incident on-site, whether it’s a near miss, an injury, or a work-related illness, it’s important to document an incident report.

Incident reports don’t need to be time-consuming, lengthy or use fancy health and safety terms, you just need to describe what happened in your own words so you have a record of the incident. You can use the incident report to help explain what happened to others, such as your direct team on-site, contractors, other Employers, or the Principal Contractor.

What is an incident report?

An incident report is the process of recording incidents on-site, such as near misses, injuries, illnesses and plant/property damage. It involves documenting all the facts (known so far) related to the incident.

Check out this blog on managing and reporting incidents at work to learn more about what is considered an incident and why it’s both important and helpful to report incidents.

How to complete an incident report

Example incident report: Hit body on object

Hitting your body on an object is a very common example of an incident. For this incident report example, we will assume someone on-site has hit their body on a door frame and injured their shoulder.

Site Location
- 32 Dropsaw Lane, Cottesloe 6011

Date of Incident
- 2nd November 2024

People involved
- Joe Hazard (injured)
- Sam Small (witness)
- Larry Large (witness)

Type of Incident
- Damage (equipment or property was damaged)
- Security/Theft (site accessed unexpectedly or something was stolen)
- Environment (Pollution or hazardous substance spill)
- Near Miss (Something occurred but there was no harm caused)
- Injury (Someone was physically hurt) ✅
- Illness (Work-related illness)
- Other (Something else happened)
- Other (Something else happened)

Cause of Incident
- This is where you select from the the list of causes what the main reason for it occurring was – in this case, it’s person vs object.

Treatment received
- First aid (performed on worksite)
- Medical Centre (Minor injury or illness) ✅
- Hospital (Major injury or illness)
- Unsure (I’m not sure what treatment was given)
- None (No treatment was required)

Type of injury
- Select the category that best suits or select “other” to select your own, if you don’t know what type of injury happened you can also select “unknown”.

Additional Information

Describe what happened – List the facts that are known so far about the incident such as :
- What job or activity was being performed at the time.
- What plant, equipment or tools were being used
- What went wrong
- What was the injury or damage (or the potential)
- What happened immediately after the incident

- Joe Hazard was carrying plywood through a doorway on-site when he hit his shoulder on the door frame. Joe felt immediate pain in his left shoulder and struggled to lift his arm above shoulder height. Joe informed Sam Small (Supervisor) immediately and agreed to go to the local medical centre for further assessment.

Pictures speak a thousand words so don’t forget that you can upload scene photos or relevant information in picture form at this step in the app, and if there’s something that you don’t want forgotten you can also create a task.

This is an example of a simple incident report, find out more about what good incident reporting looks like.

If you’re a HazardCo member, hit the Report an Incident button in the HazardCo App and follow the guided prompts to record the incident. Your membership includes 24/7 incident support, so if you need some extra help filling in the report, would like advice on if the incident is notifiable to the Regulator, or would just like to chat with an expert about how to communicate the incident to your team, we are here to help!

Remember, when you have an incident on-site, writing an incident report is just one action you need to take. Learn more about what to do when you have an incident on site.

Electricity is essential on construction sites, but if the risks are not managed properly, it can pose serious dangers to people and property. Proper controls must be in place wherever electricity is used to keep everyone safe.

Because we use electricity differently across a site there are different ways to help manage the risks.

Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

An RCD is an electrical safety device designed to immediately switch off the supply of electricity when electricity ‘leaking’ to earth is detected at harmful levels. RCDs offer high levels of personal protection from electric shock.

There are three types of RCD:

Fixed at the switchboard

A switchboard RCD is the best option in most situations. It protects all the electrical wiring and appliances supplied from that circuit.
An electrician must install a switchboard RCD.

Built into the powerpoint

A socket-outlet RCD is built into a standard powerpoint to provide protection to equipment plugged into that powerpoint and, if required, downstream protection of other powerpoints.
An electrician must install a socket-outlet RCD.

Portable

A portable RCD can be moved from powerpoint to powerpoint as needed. There are a few different types of portable RCD:
Some plug directly into a powerpoint. An appliance or extension lead then plugs into the portable RCD.
Some are built into extension leads or individual appliance leads.
Some are built into Portable socket-outlet assemblies (PSOAs).
No electrician is needed – you can buy a portable RCD at a hardware shop or from an electrical equipment supplier, just make sure it is fit for purpose.

Testing

Keep you and your team safe while working around electricity by checking your RCD regularly. Across Australia, the testing frequency is based off the standard, AS/NZS 3012:2019 which sets the specific requirements for construction sites and states:

Portable RCDs are to be push button tested daily before every use and an operating time test is to be performed by a competent person every 3 months.
Fixed RCDs are to be push button tested 1 month and an operating time test is to be performed by a competent person every 12 months.

If an RCD is tested and found to be faulty it must be taken out of service immediately and replaced as soon as possible.

Leads and Cords

Leads and cords are easily damaged, particularly those connected to equipment that is often moved. To protect them:

Use cable protectors, covers, non-conductive hooks, and ramps.
Protect leads from sharp objects, footwear, doors, vehicles, liquids, grease, and heat.
Arrange leads to prevent tripping hazards. Avoid running leads across aisles or passages.
Elevate leads to keep them off the ground and ensure they are accessible without needing a ladder.
Use insulated supports to relieve strain on plugs.
Inspect leads for damage before use and have them tested and tagged regularly by a qualified person.

Testing and Tagging of leads and cords

Inspection, testing and tagging of electrical leads and cords on construction sites are required to be completed every 3 months* by a competent person.

Any lead or cord that is damaged or that fails testing is to be immediately taken out of use and removed offsite. If you cannot promptly remove it offsite, consider other means like attaching a durable out of service tag so as to warn workers not to use that piece of equipment.

Monitor and Review

When you complete your regular Site Reviews using the HazardCo App, make sure that you are checking RCD’s and all other electrical equipment are in good working condition and are regularly inspected and tested.

Further Information

If you have any questions in regards to this topic or need more support , reach out to HazardCo and speak to one of our expert Health and Safety Advisors. You can contact us on 1800 954 702.

*For Hire equipment, inspection is required prior to each hire and testing is carried out at least monthly. If hire equipment remains on the construction site then the frequency listed applies.

Health and safety is a core part of any business but incidents and injuries on the job can still happen. According to SafeWork Australia, in the construction industry alone there were 15,877 serious work-related injury claims between 2020 and 2021, and in the same period, there were 316 fatalities.

Construction and trades make up a fair portion of incidents and injuries at work. When you think about the cost of the time off, it adds up to a pretty staggered sum. As of 2020 the average compensation claim looks like:

$24,628 in compensation paid
10 weeks of lost time per person

With numbers like this, we need to help you find a way to improve the health and safety culture so you can make sure it’s safe and profitable as well.

The signs of poor health and safety
If you’re concerned that your health and safety policies and procedures aren’t being followed or maybe not quite up to scratch, there are a number of things you can keep your eyes peeled for:

Poor Incident Reporting
Blame Culture
Poor Communication

So, how do you get your crew on board?
When it comes down to it, creating a culture of site safety isn’t as easy as putting new procedures in place and calling it a job well done – it’s up to you to involve and motivate your crew to be proactive and take safety into their own hands. You need to make sure that your crew are on board and are taking the right steps to create a safety culture.

Some steps you can take include:

Communication
It seems like an obvious one but poor communication can really hinder your efforts to create a safety culture. Having regular honest and open communication with your crew about why you’re talking about all things safety is the best way to help them understand the importance.

The more transparent and clear you are, the more likely they will be to really take the new initiatives seriously. Make sure that your crew has easy access to your current health and safety guidelines so they can stay in the know about any changes.

Support your staff
Site safety isn’t just about incidents on your site, it’s also about being a supportive employer who ensures their people are feeling safe and secure when they come to work every day. Make sure that the physical health, mental health and even emotional health of your people is a factor for how you manage them. Those working in construction and trades like other sections of society are at risk of depression, stress, or anxiety as well.

If you are taking steps to improve your site safety culture, make sure you factor in both physical and mental health awareness in all that you do for your staff. By providing resources and establishing an environment where your crew feels respected and safe to open up and express themselves you’ll be able to create a support system where you can look after each other’s wellbeing and mental health.

Training
Ensuring that your crew are trained up on all the correct licenses, procedures and health and safety practices is a sure fire way to make sure that they are fully knowledgeable on correct procedures. With the right training in place, you can have confidence that they know how to safely and correctly perform their jobs.

Be a leader
We’ve all experienced bad leadership before, and that if they don’t care about something, it’s highly unlikely you will either. So, if your crew sees that you don’t take health and safety seriously, you’re out of luck getting them to foster a culture of site safety.

You need to walk the walk before you talk the talk. Demonstrate to your crew the importance of following health and safety standards by doing them yourself. They’re a whole lot more likely to follow your example than just take your word for it.

Reporting
You need to set the tone with your crew that reporting incidents isn’t something they need to feel anxious or uncomfortable about doing. Make it clear that they won’t get in any trouble for making a report but instead see it as a way of finding out what caused the accident or injury and what can be done to make sure it won’t happen again. By making proper reporting a core element of your crew’s job responsibilities it can become second nature to them.

Make it a team effort
Site safety impacts everyone, so it makes sense that your crew should have a hand in shaping their site’s culture. The more input they have, the more likely they are to follow precautions.

By having regular health and safety chats with your crew, you can give them the opportunity to voice their own safety concerns and opinions. By having open conversations and allowing input from your crew you’re giving them the ability to implement safety measures that affect their own jobs, ultimately making them more likely to follow processes and encourage others to do the same.

If you have any questions please reach out to the HazardCo team today

HazardCo understands that on-site first aid is about more than just sending someone on a course every few years. As an employer or principal contractor on-site, you have a legal and moral obligation to make sure your team has access to first aid equipment and facilities, as well as access to trained first aiders.

To determine the necessary level for your workplace, assess the site by considering:

The type of work being done
Identified hazards
Site size and location
Number of people on-site and any vulnerable workers
Conduct a first aid risk assessment to identify facilities, equipment, and training..

Don’t forget to involve your workers in the process and if you are working with multiple trades, or are the principal contractor, you should share information and work together cooperatively.

First Aid Kits

Having a first aid kit on a construction site is essential to quickly address injuries and medical emergencies. Great kits can be sourced from many places – a basic kit should include equipment t to tend to:

cuts, scratches, punctures, grazes, and splinters
soft tissue sprains and strains
minor burns
broken bones
eye injuries
shock

Basic first aid kits are not always enough given the nature of construction work and increased risk of eye injury, cuts, falls etc, so you’ll need to consider what other equipment to add e.g. eye pads, eyewash, additional dressings and bandages.

Include your team and see if they think your first aid kit is sufficient for the site hazards and team size… and make sure they know who the trained first aider is and where the first aid kit is kept! It helps if your first aid kit is clearly labeled and is made from a material that can protect the contents from dust, moisture and contamination.

Lastly, assign someone to be in charge of replenishing the kit. Make sure this happens regularly and keep a list of what’s supposed to be in the kit to make topping it up easier. At the same time, check training is up to date for your first aiders, and if your team size has changed, whether you still have enough team members trained in first aid.

Keeping first aid up to date is the right thing to do by your team, so make sure you’ve got things covered and that you’re all prepared if any sort of injury takes place.

If you have any questions please contact the HazardCo team today.

Did you know that if you’re carrying out renovation work the same risks apply as a new build? Whether you’re carrying out extensions, renovating, flood remedial work, large landscaping jobs or you’re engaging contractors for the work, HazardCo have you covered.

You will firstly need to think about how you will manage health and safety on-site and how you will communicate this with other people involved in the build, such as the homeowner, or other contractors on-site. This will ensure that everyone is on top of the site hazards and practicing good health and safety during your build.

HazardCo Projects

A HazardCo Project is ordered for each significant job, such as a new house build or large renovation. They contain site-specific resources for that job, including:

A site specific safety plan (SSSP)
A site specific Hazard Board
Site specific QR code for inductions on first visit and scan in/out there after
Resources to help you manage your on-site health and safety
Project overview in the ‘HazardCo HUB’ for real time on site activity
Ability to upload docs to be visible on the HazardCo app when workers scan into site.

How can you determine whether you need to order a HazardCo Project?

Have a read of the following 5 areas, if you meet these requirements a Project could be needed.

Are you the principal contractor? – The principal contractor is the one that creates a Site Specific Safety Plan (SSSP) and this should be consulted and shared with all workers, including contractors involved in the work. This will ensure workers are aware of the risks and hazards that are involved in the job at hand. Throughout the job, there should be ongoing communication between all parties, and the risks reviewed regularly on-site. For more information around responsibilities check out our blog.
The cost of the project – Depending on the State/Territory you operate in, if your construction project is over a certain financial threshold, then a SSSP is actually a legal requirement. With the exception of Western Australia, where a SSSP is legally required where 5 or more persons are likely to be working at the same time on the project.
Will you be engaging contractors? – If contractors are going to be engaged in the work, then a Project will likely be needed, but this also depends on the type of work and length of the job. So if you’re unsure, just give us a call and we will be happy to assist.
Will you be making any structural changes? – Ordering a project and setting up a SSSP will help identify the controls that will be put in place to manage risks. Generally this type of work can take time, and therefore we recommend ordering a Project and using the HazardCo App to assist your health and safety needs on-site.
How old is the building? – Any property built before the year 2003, could contain asbestos. Creating a SSSP helps identify the controls that will be put in place to manage this risk. We also recommend that all trades complete an asbestos awareness course.

Even if none or only some of the above 5 areas apply, the HazardCo app and hub can still be used effectively outside of ordering a project. So keep reading.

Using HazardCo to manage health and safety

We recommend that you use the HazardCo App and Hub to manage your on-site health and safety. Here are our tips to get the most out of the HazardCo system:

Workers should complete a Risk Assessment on the HazardCo App prior to starting work to make sure their work area is safe and the risks are being managed.
Monitor works occurring on-site using the Site Review feature on the HazardCo App and identify any areas for improvement.
Due to the nature of renovation work it is important that you consider noise and dust (examples; asbestos, silica and wood) and how you control these risks. For high risk construction work, use the SWMS feature in the HazardCo App. Ensure everyone involved is consulted during the preparation of the SWMS and have read, understood, and will follow the directions provided. You can find out more information on completing SWMS by clicking here.
Share and capture what’s happening on-site, and upcoming works with workers through the Toolbox Meeting feature on the HazardCo App. This demonstrates good consultation and communication with your team.
Record incidents on-site using the HazardCo App. Any incident, illness or near-miss can be recorded. Check out the HazardCo Hub for your Incident Register which gets automatically updated when you log incidents using the HazardCo app.
Use the task function to report hazards and track health and safety actions.
If you have people living on-site during the renovation work, you should be setting your health and safety expectations from the start. There is an easily editable Client Health & Safety Requirements letter in the Hub you can tailor to your job. This outlines your site requirements on keeping the homeowners safe during and outside of working hours.
As part of your membership, you have 24/7 incident support and general support during business hours via 1800 954 702.

Lastly, sometimes renovation projects can be unique and you may still feel unsure about whether you should order a project or how the HazardCo system can help you to manage Health and Safety effectively. So give us a call and we can chat about your upcoming works and how HazardCo may work best for you. So don’t be shy – get in touch with us and we’ll help you make your site a safer one.