Top 8 safety documents for contractors in construction

Contractors in construction are required to have safety documents that comply with the Work Health & Safety (WHS) Regulations, as of 1 January 2014.

These documents are sometimes referred to as a “Safety-Pack”, and must readily accessible while working on site, along with your First Aid Kit.

If a subcontractor don’t have the correct safety documents, then both the Builder and the subcontractor, may be liable for on-the-spot fines and/or far more severe penalties if there is a serious incident on the work site.

The safety documentation required, is generally depend on the size of your business.
Here are our recommendations:

 

[mt_lineheader size=”3″ align=”left”] Sole Trader (with no apprentices or employees) [/mt_lineheader]

1. White Card. You must have a white card to work on a construction site.
2. Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), required for any high risk construction work performed.
   Learn more here.
3. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for any hazardous chemical bought on site. Learn more here.
4. Hazardous chemicals register for chemicals bought on site or stored in your workshop or vehicle.
5. Emergency procedure – including a list of numbers to call when there is an emergency.
6. Incidents reporting procedure – a procedure for reporting serious incidents at work, along with an incident Report Form that the State authority requires to be filled in.
7. Hazard report form to record hazards identified on site. This can be part of your SWMS or JSA.
8. Tag & Test Register for Electrical equipment – the tags on the leads of electrical equipment are sufficient.

 

[mt_lineheader size=”3″ align=”left”] Micro Business (up to 3 personnel, employees and apprentices) [/mt_lineheader]

1. All of the above.
2. Evidence of Inductions and Training for all personnel.

 

[mt_lineheader size=”3″ align=”left”] Small Business with 4 or more personnel [/mt_lineheader]

We recommend that a business with 4 or more personnel should have their Safety documents prepared and customised to suit their specific business activities, by a qualified safety consultant.

If you need assistance to prepare your Safety Documents then contact your OH&S Advisor,or contact: Mark Clarke at Choose Safety mark@choosesafety.com.au 

 

You can also purchase Safety Packs and SWMS online at the SiteBook Safety Shop.