CBI Constructors Firm’s Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

This task deals with the issues of occupational health and safety management systems of CBI Constructors Pty Limited, located in West Perth, Australia. This company is one of the leading engineering, procurement and construction companies and is on the list of the top fifty construction companies of Australia.

Federal and Legislative Requirements

The legislative requirements include:

• There should be the display of safety policies and instructions devised for the protection of the workers from the dangers that may arise from a working environment and for minimizing or avoiding potential accidents in the construction sites
• The organization should plan for the safety inspections based on the recommendations of an Occupational Health and Safety (OH & S) Committee to be formed by the organization
• There should be periodic inspections of the workplace, including construction sites organized through the OH & S Committee to identify the hazards and risks which requires corrective action from the management
• It is mandatory that where specific inspection requirements have been identified, the staff have been adequately informed about the requirements by the OH & S Committee, and the necessary competencies have been developed to meet the requirements
• The OH & S should identify several inspections, testing and monitoring requirements and document all activities associated with the procedures for such inspection, testing and monitoring
• The organization should arrange for workplace inspections to be recorded through minutes of the OH & S Committee and communicated to staff through relevant notice board announcements
• A register of plant and machinery and all activities carried out in the construction sites, which would identify all the requirements for inspection, testing, and monitoring, has to be established. It is essential that procedures and competencies for specific construction site inspections are developed from this register
• The workers should be provided thorough safety training by the organization
• The system should provide for periodic preventive maintenance of all the construction equipment

Risks for Company’s Operations in Accordance with AS 4801

The following are some of the risks that the construction company may be exposed to during its operations.

1. There is the potential risk of the employees sustaining fatal or major injuries by falling from high rise constructions in progress
2. There is the potential danger of employees sustaining fatal or major injuries by falling from support structures
3. There is the potential danger to the person of the workers by objects falling from heights in the construction sites
4. There is the potential danger of injuries caused by lacerations by sharp objects used by the workers
5. There are chances of electrical accidents and shocks resulting in major or minor injuries to the workers
6. There is the potential danger to the person of the workers by the use of faulty and defective machinery and equipment
7. Due to lack of training on safety aspects, the workers may use the equipment improperly, resulting in safety risks for them
8. Due to lack of safety devices at the construction sites, the employees may be exposed to health hazards and subjected to injuries
9. The use of substandard materials and equipment at the construction sites may pose safety risks to the workers at the construction sites
10. Inadequate knowledge and skill of the workers may also give rise to occasions for accidents resulting in injuries

Risk Assessment Chart

Actions for Protection Against Risks

1. Fall from High Rise Constructions

• Use safety procedures
• Provide training to workers

2. Fall from Support Structures

• Use safety procedures
• Train the workers to work through support structures

3. Falling Objects

• Use standard procedures for carrying objects
• Train the workers to avoid injuries from falling objects

4. Lacerations from sharp objects

• Use protective gears
• Employ skilled workers

5. Electrical accidents and shocks

• Maintain all electrical equipment regularly
• Check the electrical equipment before use

6. Use of faulty and defective machinery and equipment

• Establish standard procedures for preventive maintenance
• Check the machines and equipment before use

7. Lack of training on safety aspects

• Establish training policies for safety procedures
• Check on the training provided to workers

8. Lack of safety devices

• Establish procedures for ensuring availability of safe devices
• Periodically check on the availability of safety devices and report

9. Use of substandard materials and equipment

• Establish standard procedures for the purchase of quality materials
• Periodically check on the quality of materials and report

10. Inadequate knowledge and skills

• Establish policies on training the workers for acquiring special skills
• Check and report on the workers operating in the construction sites