Construction work - An overview
Construction work is any work on or in the vicinity of a construction site carried out in connection with the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation, repair, maintenance, decommissioning, and demolition or dismantling of any structure.
The regulations covering construction work are contained in Part 12 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994.
Hazards associated with construction work
Construction sites have particular hazards that create risks not only for the construction worker, but also for members of the public. Some examples of the hazards identified are:
- changes to surface levels
- excavations creating holes and trenches
- falling material and debris
- use of plant and equipment
- dust vapours or other hazardous vapours
- use of hazardous substances
- excessive and prolonged noise levels
- constant vibration
- use of temporary electrical arrangements
- falls from heights
Risks associated with construction work
Most construction work is considered high risk work where a worker is more likely to suffer a fatal or serious injury than in any other industry except mining. In 2002-03, the construction industry employed approximately 5% of the Australian workforce and accounted for 9% of the accepted workers’ compensation claims involving one or more weeks off work that were lodged in that year.
On average, 49 building and construction workers have been killed at work each year in Australia since 1997–98. People working in the construction industry are more than twice as likely to be killed at work as the average worker in all Australian industries.
Employer’s Duties
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (the Act) employers are required to provide and maintain, as far as is practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.
To ensure that risks are managed in accordance with the duties under the Act employers should systematically manage the risks to health and safety which arise from all types of construction work.
Employers can systematically manage risks by undertaking the following four step risk management process:
1. identify the hazards2. assess the risk associated with the hazards
3. control the risks
4. review the process
When undertaking risk management, employers must follow the relevant Commonwealth regulations and give consideration to the codes of practice. The regulation is specific about management of a construction site and places further obligations on the employer in relation to high-risk activity as defined.
Relevant Commonwealth Regulation
Part 12 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 set out mandatory requirements for construction work primarily by placing duties on the employer in control of the workplace.
The duties extend to the particular risks associated with construction such as locating existing services, traffic control, adequate lighting, access and egress for workers and the public, establishment of emergency procedures, maintenance of the site, managing the exposure of workers to the elements and the provision of amenities.
Employers in control of a construction project must ensure that occupational management plans are developed and current for the duration of the construction work.
A safe work method statement (SWMS) is required for all high-risk construction work. The employer in control of a construction project must ensure that a SWMS is obtained prior to the commencement of any construction work and that the safe work method statement is followed.
The employer in control of a construction project must provide general and site specific induction training related to construction work on the construction site.
Other parts of the Safety Standard Regulations may also apply to construction work such as:
- Part 2 Competency Requirements and Certification Standards
- Part 3 Occupational Noise
- Part 4 Plant
- Part 5 Manual Handling
- Part 6 Hazardous Substances
- Part 7 Confined Spaces
- Part 8 Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods
- Part 10 Electricity
- Part 13 Falls from 2 metres
Relevant Commonwealth Codes of Practice
Codes of practice are a source of expert practical guidance on safe work practices for specific circumstances. Codes provide guidance to employers, managers and others on mimimum standards of health and safety that must be achieved at the workplace.
In particular, the Occupational Health and Safety Code of Practice 2008:
- Part 1 - Risk Management
- Part 2 - First Aid
- Part 3 - Noise
- Part 4 - Manual Tasks (under development)
- Part 5 - Vibration
- Part 7 - Confined Spaces
- Part 10 - Asbestos in Situ (under development)
- Part 11 - Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods
- Part 12 - Hazardous Substances
- Part 13 - Synthetic Mineral Fibres
- Part 14 - Vinyl Chloride
- Part 15 - Carcinogenic Substances
- Part 16 - Timber Preservatives
- Part 17 - Inorganic Lead
- Part 19 - Ultraviolet Radiation in Sunlight
- Part 21 - Spray Painting
- Part 22 - Abrasive Blasting
- Part 23 - Construction Induction Training (under development)
- Part 24 - Falls in Construction (under development)
More information
Additional fact sheets in this series on construction work:- Demolition
- Excavation
- Induction training in construction
- Tilt up wall panels and precast concrete
Government authorities
Safe Work Australia:
- contact by phone: 02 6121-5317 or
- visit www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
Contact Comcare
For further information, contact Comcare's Hotline:
- by phone on 1300 366 979
- by email at ohs.help@comcare.gov.au
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