Safety Comes First

When working on complex building projects, safety is of paramount importance. Construction sites are classed as hazardous places of work, and there is a significant risk for human injury. At Advanced Group, we take safety seriously and we never cut corners. Our employees turn up on site ready to work, fully equipped with appropriate PPE gear and the knowledge needed to minimise safety risks whilst working on site. We also invest in our employee’s success by providing regular training sessions and pathways to improve their qualifications. When you work with Advanced Group, you can rest easy in the knowledge that you are in safe hands.

Reports have shown time and time again serious workplace compensation claims can result in significant amounts of lost time (between 4-6 weeks on average) and compensation payouts (average between $5,200-$6,800). Between 2015 and 2016 there were 104,770 serious workers compensation claims in Australia, and the labour, manufacturing and construction industries are a major contributor to these statistics.

In this blog post, we’ll be providing some helpful tips to minimise safety risks on site for both clients and candidates. Always remember – Safety Comes First!

 

Clients – Minimising Safety Risks

Managing Safety on Sites

At Advanced Group, safety is our top priority. Our workers are fully briefed on safety requirements before they even visit your site. We have a dedicated team consisting of a workplace health and safety manager as well as labour managers, who will keep in contact with you to ensure that safety standards are upheld throughout the duration of your project.

If you will be working across multiple sites, we will also undertake a worksite risk assessment to highlight any potential risks and suggest ways to mitigate them. All initial inspections will also be followed up with regular site visits to make sure safety protocols are being followed.

Rigorous Safety Training

As a site manager, you need to be confident that the workers on your site understand the latest WHS requirements and best practice. We conduct thorough training, placing our workers in a variety of courses where they will receive a certificate of completion/competency. These courses include:

• Rail Industry Worker Card
• Working Safely at Heights
• First Aid
• Confined Spaces

Every worker sent to your site by us will arrive with the necessary skills and certificates, and they will be fully equipped with the correct safety gear.

AS/NZS 4801:2001 Compliant

Advanced Group’s comprehensive workplace health and safety system is assessed by a third party against the rigorous standards of AS/NZS 4801:2001 to ensure compliance. Our HSEQ oversees internal auditing of the system, in addition to arranging bi-annual audits which are conducted by an independent third party. We are committed to improving health and safety outcomes and reducing the risk of accidents for our clients. We want our clients to remain focussed on their work, whilst we make sure that our safety standards set the benchmark for the industry.

Other ways Advanced Group ensure safety

We also ensure safety in the following ways:

• Interviews – our selection process is safety focussed, and we conduct reference checks and face-to-face interviews.
• Pre-assignment medical screenings
• Safety attitude surveys
• On-site and off-site safety induction training
• Signed workforce code of conduct agreement
• Provide our workers with a safety booklet and personal safety card
• Innovative safety reporting system which can be used via text message, email and online
• Robust incident management, reporting and investigation
• Regular safety checks/audits/assessments
• Injury management/return to work program
• Detailed registers of potential hazards and control measures

We stand by our 5 core values: Quality, Safety, Partnership, Integrity and Credibility. For experienced, safety focussed workers – look no further than Advanced Group.

 

Candidates – Keeping Yourself Safe on Site

When working on construction sites, there are a number of hazards that you need to be aware of. Slips, trips and falls are by far the most common hazard, but you should also be mindful of:

1. Asbestos Containing Materials – Present a risk for serious health consequences.
2. Confined Spaces
3. Electrical Equipment and Installations
4. Excavations and Trenches
5. Falling Objects
6. Working at Heights – Wear appropriate safety equipment/harnesses etc.
7. Hazardous Substances
8. Inground Services
9. Plant and Vehicles – Keep your eyes and ears out for approaching vehicles.
10. Ultraviolet Radiation
11. Drugs and Alcohol – NEVER work under the influence of these substances.

 

Tips to Staying Safe

• Always ensure that you are wearing the correct PPE, check with a site manager if you have any doubts or concerns.
• Never work whilst fatigued. Always ensure that you are adequately rested and have the stamina to participate effectively.
• Always remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings
• Keep work sites tidy. Make sure there are no wires, cables, hoses or other materials strewn around the worksite which could trip you up.
• Check the quality of your tools – do not use damaged equipment.
• If you notice a chemical spill, assess the situation and determine whether it is a low or high-hazard spill, then report it immediately to the site manager.
• Look out for others, your safety is just as important as everyone else’s.
• Comply with all instructions given to you by your colleagues/managers. Procedures and policies exist for a reason.
• Report all hazards and accidents immediately
• When working around/near a plant, you need to ensure that your intentions are clear to the operator. Having a clear understanding of what each of you are going to do is key to a safe working environment.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and always wear sunscreen.

 

Summary

Safety is not something to be taken lightly. Compromising on safety could cost your business a lot of time and money, not to mention the health and wellbeing of your valuable workers. When you source workers from the talented pool at Advanced Group, you can rest easy in the knowledge that we have a comprehensive safety plan in place, and our workers arrive on site fully briefed and up to date. Get your project off on the right foot, contact us on 02 8086 3444 or submit an online enquiry today.