Safety
Changes to the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation
Construction and Blue Cards
Workers who perform construction work are currently required to hold evidence that they have completed a general safety induction course (30215QLD).
From 1 January 2006, people performing repair work on fixed plant and ships or submarines are exempt from the requirement to have general induction evidence for that type of work. People undertaking additional construction activities (such as fit outs, renovations, repairs or refurbishments, asbestos removal and demolition) have 12 months to obtain a General Safety Induction (Construction Industry) card.
2.4 metre height limit reduced to 2 metres
On 1 January 2006, the height at which safety controls must be implemented for construction work (other than housing construction work) changed from 2.4 metres to 2 metres. The need for safety controls to be implemented at this height has also been extended to work that was not previously considered construction work. This means that construction work ( other than housing construction) involving the erection and repair of structures, including buildings and other fixed plant, will need to implement safety measures where there is a risk of a fall of 2 metres or more.
Falling Objects
Laws to keep members of the public safe from falling objects have been extended to cover people both near and within construction site boundaries. The Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 now requires principal contractors, employers and self employed people to close an adjoining area or erect a suitable gantry if loads are being lifted over any person in an adjoining area. This change came into affect 1 January 2006.
Safety Switch (RCD) requirements for leased domestic premises
From 1 March 2006, owners of leased domestic residences must have a safety switch installed for the power circuit of the residence within 6 months of a residential tenancy agreement being entered into, or by 29 February 2008 (whichever is the sooner).
Construction Housekeeping
Last year Workplace Health and Safety Queensland completed housekeeping audits in the construction industry. Around 574 building and construction sites were randomly assessed throughout Queensland in the civil, commercial and residential sectors. Inspectors identified 244 issues over two stages of the state wide campaign. Main issues that were identified were:
- # Access to the construction site
- # inadequate safety signs
- # electrical safety
- # inadequate measures to prevent falls from height
- # storage of materials and plant
The Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 s174 lists safe housekeeping practices, some of which are ensuring there is:
- Appropriate safe and clear entry to and exit from the workplace
- Safe system for collecting, storing and disposing of excess waste material
- Enough area in which to safely store materials or plant for the construction work.
