Construction work is work carried out or related to construction, alteration, conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation, repair, maintenance, and refurbishment, demolition, decommissioning or dismantling of a structure; as stated by work place health and safety legislation in Australia.
The top ten risks and hazards from working on construction sites are:
- Working at height.
- Moving objects.
- Slips, trips, and falls.
- Noise.
- Hand arm vibration syndrome.
- Material and manual handling.
- Collapsing trenches.
- Asbestos.
- Electricity.
- Airborne fibres and materials.
Safe Work Australia findings from the National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance (NHEWS) survey show that it is not uncommon for workers to receive multiple exposures.
The report examined exposure to noise, vibration, biological materials, bio-mechanical demands, wet work, skin contact with chemicals, airborne hazards and sun exposure. The results showed that:
- 62% of workers reported exposure to multiple types of occupational hygiene hazards
- 20% reported exposure to at least five hazards
- 25–34 years old had the highest odds of exposure to most multiple exposures
- 25% reported that they had incomplete or no access to control measures for the multiple hazards that they reported being exposed to
- High job demands (stress), exposure to airborne hazards and chemicals were the most reported hazards
The Construction work Code of Practice states, a PCBU must consult, with workers who carry out work for the business or undertaking and who are directly affected by a health and safety matter. This duty to consult is based on a worker input and participation improves decision-making about health and safety matters and assists in reducing work-related injuries and disease.
If high risk construction work is undertaken a safe work method statement (SWMS) is needed as outlined in the WHS legislation. A SWMS is a written document that identifies the high-risk construction work activities to be carried out at a workplace, the hazards and risks to health and safety arising from these activities, the measures to be implemented to control the risks and how the control measures are to be implemented, monitored and reviewed. The main purpose is to help persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), supervisors and workers to identify and monitor the control measures established at the workplace to ensure high risk construction work is completed safely. For other construction activities a SWMS is not required. However, as a PCBU you must manage risks to health and safety by eliminating or minimising risks so far as is reasonably practicable, and if it is not reasonably practicable, to minimise those risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
Need help in monitoring hygiene contaminant exposures at your construction site, Occupational Matters can assess contaminant levels for dust, silica, chemicals, noise & chemicals onsite without disrupting your workflow. Talk to our Occupational Hygienist who specialises in managing these hygiene exposures. Contact us by calling or email. Website is www.occmatters.com.au for more information.