WorkSafe Tasmania

WorkSafe Tasmania

Safe and well every day

Construction

This industry includes:

  • the construction or demolition of buildings and other structures
  • additions, alterations or reconstruction of buildings and other structures
  • installation work
  • maintenance and repairs of buildings and other structures.

Construction is one of the industries identified as a national priority for prevention activities in the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy.

Common hazards and injuries

Workers in this industry are likely to be injured at work due to:

  • body stressing
  • falls, slips and trips
  • being hit by moving objects.

Common hazards that workers in this industry are exposed to include:

  • working at heights
  • vehicles
  • electricity
  • working near overhead power lines
  • lifting heavy objects
  • alcohol and drugs
  • hot and cold weather conditions.

Legal responsibilities: Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU)

On a large construction job, there can be many PCBUs:

  • the main or principal contractor on the site (also called the ‘principal’) has overall responsibility for ensuring (as far as is reasonably practicable) a safe worksite and making sure there are proper facilities for workers
  • individual sub-contractors working on the site are responsible for the workers under their control or direction, and must consult with the principal to manage safety.
  • PCBUs supplying and delivering goods to the site must comply with any safety directions made by the principal.

Legal responsibilities: Workers

Workers must:

  • follow site safety rules and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
  • not put their workmates at risk
  • report any incidents or hazards to their supervisor
  • wear and look after any personal protective equipment connected with their work.

Consult and co-ordinate

With the potential for there to be many PCBUS on busy construction site, the principal must make sure there’s a process for co-ordinating and sharing information with sub-contractors and their workers.

Toolbox meetings are a useful way to get everyone on site to understand and contribute to the management of risk.

Onsite documents and information

You must have these documents available onsite:

  • Safe Work Method Statements for the high risk components of the project
  • your WHS Management Plan (for construction projects over $250,000)
  • Safety Data Sheets for any hazardous chemicals used
  • signage on the front fence with your after-hours contacts and personal protective equipment required to be worn.

It makes good sense to have documented:

  • site safety rules
  • emergency procedures and contacts
  • a register of worker’s white card/licence details
  • your hazard or incident reporting process.

You can find templates for these in our Safety in Construction Kit.

Licensing

You or your workers may need these licences to work in the construction industry:

  • white card
  • high risk work
  • asbestos removal
  • licensing for trades (electrical/plumbing/gasfitting/building).

WorkSafe Tasmania resources

Alcohol and drugs

Construction work code of practice

Contractor management

Electrical wiring on construction and demolition sites

Managing the the risk of falls in housing construction code of practice

Hazardous manual tasks

Hot and cold work environments

Industry snapshot

Lighting on construction sites

Power lines

RCDs on construction sites

Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)

Safety In Construction Kit

Security fencing: Making construction sites secure against unauthorised access

Slips, trips and falls

Switchboards on construction sites

Using timber for temporary perimeter guardrails (PDF, 665.1 KB)

Licensing resources

Asbestos removal licensing

High risk licensing

Licensing and registration for trades (electrical/plumbing/gasfitting/building): Consumer, Building and Occupational Services

White cards

Other resources

Construction: Safe Work Australia

Construction: WorkSafe Victoria

Dial Before You Dig

Know your duties resources hub for Construction industry: Safe Work Australia

Old town gas: Consumer, Building and Occupational Services

Lifting clutch failure safety alert: Queensland Workplace Health and Safety

Callaghan 37 metre concrete placing booms safety alert: Queensland Workplace Health and Safety

Last updated: 24 August 2023
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