The holiday season is over and 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:

• Instead of rushing and getting stuck into it, hold a kick-off toolbox to re-brief the crew on the SSSP, emergency arrangements, SWMS, and check everyone is fit for work.
• Complete a Site Review to identify any new hazards.
  • Inspect the site to ensure everything was how you left it – fences are still in place, and containers are locked.
• Reinstate any areas that need attention – inspect and retag scaffolds, check structures and excavations that may have been affected by inclement weather.
• Thoroughly inspect all tools and equipment and prestart mobile plant before use.

Having a soft start can ensure that everyone has enough time to check their work areas and equipment, and remind everyone that safety is the number one priority. This also 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 acclimatized to working in the heat.

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.

If it’s too hot, consider stopping the task until the hot conditions have passed. You may also think about swapping physical work for plant or machinery, for tasks such as lifting or digging.

Make sure there’s good airflow going through the workspace by opening up windows or using fans. If the work is outdoors, consider setting up shade tents or additional undercover areas. 

Ensure your workers have access to drinking water and sunscreen, as we all know how harsh the Aussie sun can get. Wearing the right clothing and PPE will also make working in the heat more comfortable such as wearing loose-fitting, light-weight clothing, sunglasses, and sun-protective hats.

Not everyone reacts to heat the same way so you should keep an eye out on each other and if a worker experiences heat-related illness, you must act quickly. 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 and remember to keep the health, safety, and well-being of workers first. Here are some helpful resources and if you have any questions you can contact the Advisory Team on 1800 954 702.

Winter weather has the potential to hit hard, with strong winds, low temperatures, and of course, lots of rain. All of these factors can cause hazards for you and your workers. From trips and slips, to numb fingers and damaged gear and equipment, cold temperatures call for specific measures to ensure that your workplace is safe during the cold and wet winter months. 

Work doesn’t stop when winter weather rolls in, so it’s important to know what to do to keep your workers safe and warm. 

Winter checks and inspections
When the winter weather starts rolling through it’s important for you to inspect your workplace. If you are somewhere that experiences heavy rain, make sure that you identify and address, where possible, all wet and muddy surfaces, platforms and walkways that are used. If strong winds are forecast, check that all materials have been stacked and secured to prevent anything from falling or blowing away. It’s crucial to stress the importance of fall protection when wet and windy conditions are present. To ensure your site is safe, complete a Site Review using your HazardCo App.

Winter driving accidents
Vehicle accidents don’t just happen on the roads, they can also happen within the work site. Highlight to your team that winter driving rules for the road also apply to your workplace and it’s important that they take care while operating work vehicles and equipment. To ensure your vehicles are safe for the road, complete a Vehicle checklist using your HazardCo App. 

Watch the weather
The last thing you need is for the weather to catch you by surprise. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, so your workers can prioritise the work that will be affected should the weather take a turn for the worse, and that they have the right gear to be able to do the job safely.

The right PPE makes a difference
Be vigilant when ensuring that workers are wearing proper PPE and suitable clothing when winter weather conditions are present. 

• Safety helmets and hard hats should be worn where applicable, to protect workers in the case of a fall, as well as from falling objects. Using liners under headgear is a great way to stay warm and keep body heat from escaping. Use chin straps to avoid safety headgear falling off in windy conditions.
• Safety glasses and goggles can be treated with anti-fog spray to prevent vision from becoming obstructed. 
• Gloves need to be carefully selected to ensure that workers will still have a good range of movement when working with tools and equipment. 
• Waterproof boots with non-slip soles should be worn along with two layers of socks to keep moisture away from the skin.  

Follow these tips to optimise your crew’s safety so you can enjoy a productive winter while keeping your team safe.

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.