SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION – LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
Published Tuesday, 18 September, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has released a handy pocket guide to assist employers and workers in the building and construction industry to consult more effectively with each other.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the guide Establishing and maintaining effective safety consultation in construction provides practical advice on how employers can meet their obligation under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 to consult workers on safety matters.
“Encouraging signs are emerging that safety is improving in this high-risk industry with a
38 per cent reduction in work-related fatalities over the last three years, but more still needs to be done and genuine consultation will help to further improve the industry’s safety record,” he said.
“Consultation is an essential tool for employers to understand workplace hazards and employee participation and information sharing can improve decision making.
“It is already widely practiced in many workplaces through regular team meetings, health and safety representatives and committees, but the next step is to make consultation part of every workplace’s culture – from the boardroom to management, the general workforce and within each work group.”
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland consulted with industry professionals in developing the guide which explains the duty to consult, outlines the value and benefits of consultation, and provides practical tips on how employers can consult effectively with employees and how employees can contribute to the process.
“It may be a handy pocket size, but the guide is big on practical ways to apply consultative arrangements in the workplace so that everyone wins,” he said.
“The guide will assist workplaces to develop a charter for a workplace safety committee for which employers, principal contractors, committee members and workers all take equal responsibility.
“Their roles in the building and construction industry are crucial to ensuring and improving health and safety on work sites.”
For a copy of the pocket guide visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 915.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion on 3237 1125
18 September 2007
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the guide Establishing and maintaining effective safety consultation in construction provides practical advice on how employers can meet their obligation under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 to consult workers on safety matters.
“Encouraging signs are emerging that safety is improving in this high-risk industry with a
38 per cent reduction in work-related fatalities over the last three years, but more still needs to be done and genuine consultation will help to further improve the industry’s safety record,” he said.
“Consultation is an essential tool for employers to understand workplace hazards and employee participation and information sharing can improve decision making.
“It is already widely practiced in many workplaces through regular team meetings, health and safety representatives and committees, but the next step is to make consultation part of every workplace’s culture – from the boardroom to management, the general workforce and within each work group.”
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland consulted with industry professionals in developing the guide which explains the duty to consult, outlines the value and benefits of consultation, and provides practical tips on how employers can consult effectively with employees and how employees can contribute to the process.
“It may be a handy pocket size, but the guide is big on practical ways to apply consultative arrangements in the workplace so that everyone wins,” he said.
“The guide will assist workplaces to develop a charter for a workplace safety committee for which employers, principal contractors, committee members and workers all take equal responsibility.
“Their roles in the building and construction industry are crucial to ensuring and improving health and safety on work sites.”
For a copy of the pocket guide visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 915.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion on 3237 1125
18 September 2007