| One of the most important documents that you | | | | • The address of the construction worksite |
| must have before commencing work on a site is | | | | • The main contractor's full name, address |
| a Construction Safety Plan. In Australia, there is | | | | and Australian Business Number (ABN) |
| OHS legislation at both the Commonwealth and | | | | • The date you expect to start and the |
| State level to ensure that all construction | | | | duration of the project |
| contractors and companies assure the workplace | | | | • A description of the type of work to be |
| health and safety of all those involved on a | | | | done |
| project. However, many of those who need a | | | | • The site safety rules |
| plan are not sure how to come up with one. This | | | | • Description of risks to be managed by the |
| article hopes to address this problem. | | | | contractor/company |
| Incompliance Penalties | | | | • What control measures will put in place to |
| The consequences of not complying with | | | | manage these risks |
| Australian Occupational Health & Safety | | | | • How you plan to implement these control |
| legislation are simply not worth it. At the very | | | | measures |
| least, you can be slapped with a financial penalty | | | | • How these control measures will be |
| which will affect you more if you are a small or | | | | reviewed and controlled |
| medium-sized contractor. At the very worst, you | | | | • Emergency procedures to be undertaken |
| can potentially be prosecuted and spend time in | | | | • How you plan to guarantee the safety of |
| jail. There are few people who would want face | | | | the public |
| that prospect. | | | | If you want to be sure as to whether you are |
| What a Safety Plan Contains | | | | complying with current Australian OHS legislation, it |
| I must point out that the content of a | | | | would be wise to look at the official government |
| Construction Safety Plan can vary slightly from | | | | website and become acquainted with these. |
| state to state. The following structure is simply a | | | | The bottom line is that you need to come up |
| guideline as to how to write up a professionally | | | | with a Construction Safety Plan if you want to |
| written and structured safety plan. | | | | legally commence a construction project in any |
| Below are the components that should be | | | | part of Australia. |
| included: | | | | |