Posted: May 19th, 2015

Australian Work Health & Safety in the Construction Industry

Major Project in Construction – Project Report

Robie Ibrahim – 1752 6089

Question Specific – “Has the enforcement of constantly innovated WH&S responsibilities and methods of learning improved workplace safety within the construction industry”

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Table of Contents

1. Objective…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
2. Specific Objectives……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
3. Introduction/Background………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
4. Reformation of WH&S within the Construction Industry…………………………………………. 3

4.1 Innovation and Legislation…………………………………………………………………………………. 3

4.2 WH&S measures……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

5. Data Collection……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4

5.1 Findings…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4

6. Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
7. Reference list……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Objective

The main purpose of this investigation is to question professionals in WH&S to determine – “Has the enforcement of constantly innovated WH&S responsibilities and methods of learning improved workplace safety within the construction industry”

2.      Specific Objectives

The purpose of this study is to deem whether the innovated and reformed measures of WH&S responsibilities and training have helped improve the safety construction industry as a whole. The different forms of measures which are enforced and required to be conducted throughout the industry range for practices established through precedence, introduction of new safety ideologies and abiding to the innovated and reformed legislation.

The first hand reviewing of the onsite workers within the workforce will show factual opinions whether these rules of WH&S evidently work within real life situations and day to day activities on site. This data will be tabulated and an in-depth analysis of the proposed research question will be answered.

3.      Introduction/Background

WH&S has constantly been innovated throughout legislation and reforming the measures of protection within the construction industry and workforce. WH&S was initially introduced to Australia in the 1950’s through common law where it became an official piece of legislation within the 1970s after the severity of workplace relation cases which were constantly occurring throughout the industry itself. Since then, it has constantly been amended. This is due to the frequent innovation of the construction industry through different approaches to formwork, structural systems and site accessibility as they all possessed new potential risks and threats.

The biggest legislative review of the act took place in 2011 which was the WH&S act 2011 (Commonwealth). Since the reformation of this act, all states within Australia now must abide by the principles established through the measures of work place safety training and licenses as precedence of previously occurred cases are used to constantly innovate the code and promote the highest level of safety in the workplace.

The main objective being questioned through this report is whether the reformation of WH&S and implementation of learning methods has improved safety of the construction industry as a whole. Specific objectives and ideologies of the reformations will be analysed with the use of reviewing data first hand from onsite construction personnel in relation to the recent advancements of these training methods and obligations to WH&S

 

 

4.      Reformation of WH&S within the Construction Industry

WH&S within the construction industry today is seen as almost the most significant part of the project. It is almost seen to be more important the productivity of the project where many different mechanisms need to be used and implanted to help protect the workforce on the job. However, due to the constant change in the industry with newly established methods of construction, WH&S must be constantly reformed to suit and cover these new processes. There are governing bodies that look after WH&S such as work cover and unions which enforce WH&S training programs and learning methods to help achieve the highest levels of safety and minimise the risk of any injuries on site.

4.1 Innovation and Legislation

The most significant mechanism which is enforceable to WH&S through governing bodies and onsite safety is the Legislative acts that aim to protect all peoples on site. Constant reformation of the legislative WH&S Act 2011 (Commonwealth) which is collated of common law cases which describe precedence to help reform the construction industry as it is constantly reformed from its establishment over 65 years ago.

4.2 WH&S measures

Significant WH&S Measures have been introduced such as site safety committees and tool box talks to help protect and assist construction workers on site to measure the safety of their workplace. The implementation of a Site Safety Committee have their own independent measures which are decided themselves, site dependant, such as site safety walks which identifies risks and hazards throughout the construction site. This allows the individual to express lateral thinking where the person can value the observed risk and look at it in different views to see the best way in approaching the hazard. This measure allows for the committee as a whole to look at the spotted risk with different approaches to help prevent the situation for arising again.

The mechanism of a site tool box talk allows employers and employees to express the views, hazards, issues and progress of the project which inturns allows all personnel onsite to be aware of the daily/weekly processes of the particular site. In turn this will help promote a safer and risk free environment as people are not ignorant to the tasks being conducted

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.         Data Collection

5.1 Findings

A first hand review of the onsite workers within the workforce will show factual opinions whether these rules of WH&S evidently work within real life situations and day to day activities on site.

Data has been collected from all different people on site ranging from different age groups, nationality, level of English, gender, position and level of knowledge.

The survey was conducted by 25 construction personnel which had diverse results throughout the different age groups ranging from 18-30 being less likely to agree with the proposed subject topic as they believe it slows productivity down of the project whereas age group 30-50 were firm believers of the question theory

The date will be shown in the final report with an in-depth analysis of the survey conducted as they have yet to be tabulated

6.         Executive Summary

The main purpose of this detailed report is the question members of the construction industry to see – “Has the enforcement of constantly innovated WH&S responsibilities and methods of learning improved workplace safety within the construction industry”

The only way to clearly understand and confirm the theory is to conduct first hand investigations of employees and employers within the industry. The use of critiques such as Jean Piaget will help the argument in an attempt to form a conclusive answer on the theory.

7.         Reference list