You may recall in December 2018 an apprentice carpenter fell over three metres onto a concrete surface from the first floor of a residential building.

SafeWork SA investigations identified that had a safe work method statement and pre-start checks been undertaken in relation to controlling the risks of working at live edges, that the incident with the apprentice could have easily been avoided.

The company failed to identify the risk of falls and no fall protection had been installed prior to the work task being undertaken.

The company was charged with failing to:

• Provide and maintain a safe working environment
• Ensure a safe system of work for the task undertaken
• Perform an adequate risk assessment and identify the hazard of working near an unguarded void
• Ensure appropriate control measures were in place to eliminate or reduce the risk of fall.

The company pleading guilty, and received a 40% discount, but the total fine cost this company $90,000. In addition to this, the Director / Supervisor was fined $21,000 plus costs.

Safety Alert – Workers injured in separate trench collapses

According to SafeWork SA data, 40 files have been opened since 1 July 2021 associated with incidents involving excavation work.

Two separate incidents have occurred recently resulting in workers being trapped when trenches have collapsed.
Of the 40 files:

• 13 relate to exposure to open trenches
• 4 relate to inadequate shoring of trenches
• 3 relate to the collapse of trenches.

SafeWork SA has developed new guidance information on preventing trench collapse to help manage the risks of ground collapse, associated with excavation work.

Stay Safe,

The Team from PEER

An apprenticeship is an exciting time for a fledgling tradesperson who is embarking on a career in the trades. Being new to the industry means that introduction to safety requirements is a shared responsibility between the Group Training Organisation (GTO), such as PEER, and the host employer. A PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) is someone who has the responsibility for the health, safety, and wellbeing of the employees of the business. This is usually someone such as the director or CEO of a large company down to the owner of a sole trading business. With that position, there are very specific requirements under the Work Health Safety Legislation to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all workers in that organisation. Workers include everyone from employees to volunteers and includes apprentices, trainees, and persons on work experience.

Requirements include:

• providing the worker/s with a site specific safety induction outlining WHS duties, policies, procedures and practices in the workplace including consultation methods
• where WHS advice or workplace assessments are required, ensuring the persons engaged to conduct those assessments are suitably qualified
• treating GTO apprentices and trainees as you would employees and other workers with respect to health and safety and the provision of a safe working environment and PPE
• providing adequate supervision of GTO apprentices and trainees at all times to ensure that work is being performed safely
• consulting with the GTO and workers regarding any changes which may affect WHS.
• encouraging GTO apprentices and trainees to participate in the identification of hazards and risks specific to their work
• supporting and encouraging GTO apprentices and trainees to participate in workplace safety consultative arrangements
• working with the GTO to facilitate appropriate WHS arrangements. For example, allow the GTO access to workers, the workplace and relevant documents for the purpose of workplace safety assessments and to fulfil their WHS duties as a PCBU of the GTO
• facilitating any assessments conducted by the GTO, for example, WHS management assessments or work site assessments
• providing any further training, instruction or information prior to transferring a GTO apprentice or trainee to new tasks, in a way that is suitable, adequate and readily understandable to the worker, and
• in the event of an incident, notify the GTO as soon as practicable and working with them to implement agreed arrangements.

We are striving to make worksites safe for everyone. If you have any queries or need assistance in ensuring you are meeting your obligations under legislation, please don’t hesitate to contact our WHS Advisor on (08) 8348 1243 or email us at safety@peer.com.au.

This is important when communicating information contained within a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) as it contains vital safety information. This should never be treated as a “tick and flick” exercise and needs to be taken with all seriousness.

Steps to ensure proper and effective communication of SWMS need to include the following:

1. Ensure the SWMS being communicated is correct for the current work environment. Whilst most companies have generic SWMS created for specific jobs, each one needs to be reviewed and updated for the current environment addressing what is necessary to ensure the job is conducted safely.
2. Consultation is very important in communicating an effect SWMS. Consultation is also a requirement under Section 47 of the Work Health Safety Act SA (2012), which specifies consultation must occur with workers affected by the procedures and decisions made regarding their health and safety.
3. All employees, contractors and apprentices must be given the opportunity to read and provide feedback if they are asked to sign off on any work relating to a SWMS. Just
   because they have signed off on a generic one at induction does not cover off any SWMS written for a specific job, as each one is unique. They must be given the
   opportunity to read each SWMS individually prior to signing them.
4. When someone signs off on a SWMS, they are signing a legal document stating they understand what the job entails and the controls in place. They must understand what they are doing in relation to the work undertaken. When starting a new job (and at
   toolbox meetings) it’s good practise to follow up with workers to ensure everyone understands any high risk activities in the SWMS and any relevant controls in place.

We are striving to make worksites safe for everyone. If you have any queries regarding the requirements for SWMS, communication and consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact our WHS Advisor on (08) 8348 1200 or safety@peer.com.au.