AU Archives - Page 2 of 14

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.

To put it simply, health and safety regulators (WorkSafe / SafeWork) work with you and your workers to keep you safe and healthy. Their main goal is to ensure that across Australia, businesses are safe and healthy environments. It’s important to know that not all visits are pre-arranged and inspectors are allowed to show up at any reasonable time, regardless of whether or not you’re there. So, what should you expect when they come a-knocking?

What does a site visit look like?

Typically a visit from WorkSafe/SafeWork follows the below process:

Step 1: Conversation

A friendly chat isn’t that scary, right? When the WorkSafe/SafeWork inspector first arrives, they’ll have a conversation. This discussion is a two-way street where they’ll be looking to learn about your business, what risks you’ve identified, the actions you’re completing to minimise them and answer any questions you may have. Ensure you use this opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification if anything doesn’t make sense.

Step 2: Observation

Following the chat, the inspector will usually take a walk around your worksite to have a look around. Sometimes its a general walk around, other times it may be focusing on a particular area or activity.

If the inspector sees anything concerning during the walkabout, they will discuss this with you further.

Step 3: Processes and Documentation

At this stage, the inspector might ask to see what kind of processes and safe practices you have. This could include anything from your risk assessments, worker’s licenses or training certificates, machine maintenance logs, to incident reports. The focus will be on whether your processes and records demonstrate good health and safety practices for your worksite, workers and business.

So what are inspectors allowed to do during the visit?

Inspectors have the right to:

ask you, your employees or other people questions
take photographs, recordings and measurements
ask to see your documents, make copies or take the documents
take items away with them for examination, testing or for use as evidence

What happens if an issue is found?

If the inspector does find an issue, you and the inspector will discuss what needs to be done to fix it. The three main outcomes issued by the inspector are an improvement notice, prohibition notice, or an infringement notice.

Improvement notices – The most common type of notice which directs a person to address an identified health and safety risk in a specified time. The inspector will explain what was identified, how things need to change, and the timeframe in which it needs to be completed.
Prohibition notices – Directs the business to stop doing a particular thing that involves a serious risk to health or safety. For example, stopping a specific activity or instructing you to stop using a dangerous piece of machinery. The notice will tell you what needs to be fixed.
An infringement notice – This notice, or fine, is a penalty for breaking the law. Depending on your state or territory it can include an on-the-spot fine for breaching certain health and safety laws and may lead to prosecution.

Using HazardCo can cut the time you spend on health and safety admin in half and can guide you through what you need to do to keep your workers and your business safe.

Of course, if there are any questions or concerns, just call us at HazardCo for help on 1800 954 702.

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.

Anything with wheels and an engine should be at the forefront of your mind on site.

From delivery trucks to excavators, if it moves, and it’s got some weight… then that means power! it’s going to cause some damage if it isn’t controlled. So always keep safety in mind!

Keep pedestrians and vehicles apart
Separate the two wherever you can with careful planning at the design and set up stages.

Minimise vehicle movements
Provide car and van parking away from the work area if possible. Also control entry points, and plan storage areas, so that vehicles don’t need to cross the site where people are.

Turning and reversing vehicles
A spotter wearing high-vis clothing should guide the driver who can’t see clearly behind their vehicle. Mirrors, reversing, warning alarms, sensors and cameras can also make all the difference.

People on-site
When untrained workers drive vehicles without authority, you’re in trouble. Always manage the training and access of drivers to your vehicles, including those visiting.

Visibility
The more the better, just make sure it stands out in the right way. From on-site lighting to aids for drivers (mirrors, CCTV cameras and reversing alarms) to hi-vis clothing for those on the ground. Find out more about the use of hi-vis clothing on-site in our blog here.

Accidents are preventable when risk is managed. How do you manage risk? You get a plan – a good one.

Traffic management plans

A traffic management plan documents and helps explain how risks will be managed. This might include details of:

Designated travel paths for vehicles including entry and exit points
Pedestrian and traffic routes
Designated delivery and loading/unloading areas
Travel paths on routes remote from the workplace, including places to turn around, dump material, access ramps and side roads
The responsibilities of people expected to interact with traffic onsite

Every site is different, but your plan should be monitored and reviewed regularly. It should also be adapted when there are changes to your work situation.

If you have any questions get in touch with the HazardCo team today

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

The HazardCo App has a new Plant/Machinery Pre-Start tool! It’s a quick and easy way to do pre-start checks on various plant and machinery such as scissor lists, boom lifts and excavators. Just whip out your app, follow the guided prompts and you’ll know all your reports are saved for safe keeping.

This is a great new tool for those of you currently filling in the log book that stays with the machine, causing lots of painful admin work to gather and compile the information for your own records.

Why conduct pre-start checks?
Pre-start checks are a simple way to check your plant and machinery is up to scratch before it’s used. Whether it’s hired or owned equipment, a quick check will help you to find any potential issues that could impact on the safety of your team or the performance of the machinery. By referring to the manufacturer’s instructions and best practices, workers can make sure the machinery they have is in a safe condition to be used, and if not, the App gives you an easy way to communicate the issues happening on the ground to the right people. When done well pre-start checks go a long way to preventing incidents and equipment failures.

When to use the Plant/MachineryPre-Start tool
The Plant/Machinery Pre-Start tool should be used before the operation of any plant or machinery. You can find it in the main menu of the HazardCo App. Once a pre-start check is completed, the report is automatically saved to the Reports section in the Hub and the App for easy access in the future.

Bennefits for workers: The Plant/Machinery Pre-Start tool provides an easy way to follow pre-start procedures. It helps you to communicate any issues that need to go up the chain and make sure information isn’t lost or misunderstood.

Benefits for workers: This tool is a quicker and easier way to maintain evidence of your crews safe work practises on site. Anyone on site can use the app to complete a Plant/Machinerypre-start, you’ll be able to see it’s been done, and you won’t need to find and scan physical log books anymore!

We’re going to run you through Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), which is a type of personal protective equipment (PPE) which protects people from inhaling substances that are hazardous to their health. These hazardous substances include airborne contaminants such as asbestos, hazardous chemicals and dust, fumes (such as welding fumes), and infectious substances, but you should keep in mind that RPE should also be worn to protect the wearer from low levels of oxygen such as working in confined spaces.

But, before you even get started with RPE, make sure you have other practical control measures in place such as local exhaust ventilation to minimise or eliminate contaminants in the air. Also, keep an eye on your team’s health and workplace conditions to ensure that they aren’t injured or made sick by their work.

We’ve gone ahead and put together a quick guide of factors to consider when providing your workers with RPE.

Types of RPE
Respirators that use filters remove contaminants from the air which the wearer will be breathing. Disposable respirators (often called dust masks) are good for short-term or one-off use and protect the wearer from harmful particles such as dust, fumes, fibres, and biological hazards such as bacteria or viruses.

Powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs) consist of headgear and fan assembly that take contaminated air, filters and removes a sufficient portion of these hazards, and then delivers the clean air to the user. These are also known as positive pressure masks, blower units, or blowers.

Supplied air respirators provide a supply of clean air to the wearer from a source such as an air compressor or cylinder. It’s important to note that the air supply needs to be checked regularly to make sure that it is safe to use.

Using RPE
It’s important for your workers to visually check their RPE for signs of damage before each use so that they can let you know if there are any issues, including whether it needs to be cleaned or decontaminated.

Make sure your team stays safe by keeping their RPE on while working in the hazardous area. Removing it for even a short period of time could be a risk to their health.

If your workers are using RPE that requires a tight fit, make sure that they are checking it properly before entering the hazardous area. There are two fit checks which they need to do:

Keep in mind that if your worker’s safety glasses fog up while they are wearing a half-face respirator, this is a sign that there is a leak at the top of the respirator.

Life Shavers: shaving your beard could save your life
When your workers are wearing respiratory protective equipment at work, they should be clean shaven to ensure it is forming a seal and protecting them from breathing in hazardous materials. Even a small amount of stubble can prevent RPE from sealing correctly which means your workers will still be inhaling harmful materials which may cause health concerns. A clean shave goes hand in hand with the correct RPE for the job.

It’s your responsibility to monitor your workers’ health. Make sure that you are completing regular Site Reviews on the HazardCo App, as this will help you to identify potential hazards and put effective plans in place.