Building and construction

There are specific legal responsibilities for health and safety when you participate in construction work, or engage contractors for construction work:

• with cost exceeding $250,000, and
• demolition work, asbestos removal work or high risk construction work.
• other construction work

These special requirements include the requirement for the appointment of a principal contractor.

UTS staff, contractors, sub-contractors and their staff who will be undertaking construction and building maintenance work must complete appropriate building and construction safety induction training.

Requirements for construction work greater than $250K

• UTS Project Managers must appoint a Principal Contractor as per Clause 210 of the OHS Regulation 2001 (opens an external site).
• The Principal Contractor must:
  • Prepare a thorough OHS management plan as per Clause 226 of the OHS Regulation 2001 (opens an external site).
    WorkCover NSW's SubbyPack (opens an external site) may be helpful in preparing this plan.
  • Ensure that each sub-contractors document a Safe Work Method Statement for work to be undertaken, as per Clause 227 of the OHS Regulation 2001 (opens an external site).
    Where there are no subcontractors, the Principal Contractor must assess risks and prepare their own Safe Work Method Statements.
• Sub-contractors must provide their Safe Work Method Statements to the Principal Contractor.

Requirements for high risk construction work, demolition or asbestos removal work

High risk construction work
is defined in Clause 209 of the OHS Regulation 2001 (opens an external site), means any of the following:

• construction work;
  • involving structural alterations that require temporary support
  • at a height above 3 metres
  • involving excavation to a depth greater than 1.5 metres
  • in tunnels
  • involving the use of explosives
  • near traffic or mobile plant
  • in or around gas or electrical installations
  • over or adjacent to water where there is a risk of drowning.
• demolition work for which a licence is not required under Chapter 10 of the OHS Regulation 2001 (opens an external site) to carry on the business of that work
• UTS Project Manager must appoint a Principal Contractor as per Clause 210 of the OHS Regulation 2001 (opens an external site).
• Sub-contractors must:
  • produce written Safe Work Method Statements based on assessment of risks associated with work to be conducted, as per Clause 227 of the OHS Regulation 2001 (opens an external site). Most sub-contractors should have their own documentation, however the following may be useful;
    • WorkCover NSW's SubbyPack (opens an external site),
    • UTS pro-forma documents:
      • Construction risk management plan template (doc, 89 kB), and
      • Safe work method statement pro-forma - Construction (doc, 47 kB).
  • Conduct and document any specific risk assessments for hazardous substances, confined spaces, noise, working on or near live electrical installations (in emergency) and test, inspect and tag portable electrical equipment.
  • Note any risk control measures identified by the risk assessments and ensure that actions are implemented before start of work.
• Principal Contractor must obtain Safe Work Method Statements from sub-contractors before the sub-contractor commences work.

Other construction work

Where construction work to be undertaken does not fall into either of the above groups, there may still be a requirement for a risk management plan for that work if it includes any of the following construction hazards.

i. Will you or any subcontractors be using...

• plant / equipment
• explosive-powered tools ²
• electrical equipment ⁴
• formwork ²
• pressure vessels/boilers ²
• scaffolding ²
• compressed gases
• ladders
• hazardous substances ¹
• lifts / hoists / cranes / dogging / rigging / load shifting machinery ²

ii. Does the project / task involve...

• using tools / equipment with moving part(s)
• working around gas or electrical installations ^{1, 3}
• using tools / equipment that vibrate
• working near traffic or mobile plant ³
• working with x-rays, lasers ²
• working outdoors
• electrical wiring ²
• working at a height (>3m) ³
• asbestos removal ^{2, 3}
• working in isolation
• welding
• working in a confined space ¹
• hazardous waste
• manual handling
• excavation / trenches (>1.5m) ³
• repetitive or awkward movements
• demolition work ^{2, 3}
• lifting or moving awkward or heavy objects
• work involving structural alterations and temporary supports ³

iii. Is there......

• noise
• slippery surfaces / trip hazards
• dust / fumes / vapours / gases
• poor ventilation / air quality
• extreme temperatures
• a work area that is not suited to the project / task
• risk of fire / explosion
• any other risk?

Notes

The notes provide further details of requirements for particular tasks:

1. Specific risk assessments must be completed for these hazards.

2. Specific licenses / permits / certificates may be required for these hazards.

3. This work is defined by the legislation as 'high risk'.

4. Electrical equipment must be tested and tagged.

Specific risk assessments for hazardous substances, confined spaces, noise, working on or near live electrical installations (in emergency) and test, inspect and tag portable electrical equipment, must be conducted and documented.

To assist identifying hazards and risks during project scoping you can use the downloadable:
Construction risk management plan template (doc, 89kB).

Construction work
is defined in Clause 289 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (opens an external site) and covers the repair and maintenance of buildings.