Management Checklists

This chapter provides questions relating to management activities required to meet your Work Health and Safety obligations.

If you answer yes to the questions, you are on your way towards achieving compliance.

In this section

Preparing for emergencies

  • Are there emergency procedures?
  • Do people on site know what the procedures are and where the nearest medical centre/hospital is?
  • Is there a means of raising the alarm and does it work?
  • Is there a way to contact the emergency services from site?
  • Are there enough suitable escape routes and are these kept clear?
  • Is there a stocked first aid kit kept on site?
  • Is there someone available who can administer first aid if needed?

More information on emergency procedures

General management

As an employer or business owner, do you make sure your workers:

  • hold a General Construction Induction training card (“white card”)?
  • are inducted to the site?
  • are trained, competent and fit to do the job safely and without putting their own or others’ health and safety at risk?
  • have adequate supervision and are given clear instructions?
  • have access to hand washing and toilet facilities?
  • have the correct tools, equipment, plant and protective clothing to do the task safely?
  • are involved in discussions or toolbox talks about health and safety issues?
  • are covered by your workers compensation insurance policy?
A female construction worker stands at a construction site wearing a yellow hard hat and a yellow high-visibility vest. She is holding a clipboard. In the background, there are heavy equipment, trucks, and other workers standing.
                                          

Contracting and subcontracting

If you are a principal contractor, or a contractor who subcontracts work to others, do you:

  • check the health and safety performance of the people you plan to work with?
  • check that their workers compensation is current and has a sufficient level of coverage?
  • give them the health and safety information they need for the work?
  • collect and review their Safe Work Method Statements for High Risk Construction Work and discuss safety prior to commencing?
  • hold regular discussions about how the work is going, including safety problems and concerns?
  • make sure that you have provided everything you are required to (such as safe scaffolds, the appropriate plant, access to toilets and other amenities)?
  • monitor subcontractors’ performance and record any non-conformances and corrective actions taken?
  • ensure that the principal contractor has prepared a WHS management plan (if the construction work costs more than $250,000) and reviewed it?
Group of construction workers wearing high-visibility vests gathered around a table at a building site. A hard hat is on the table, and one worker is pointing to a section of the building plans as they review them together.
                                          

The Code of Practice for Construction Work is a practical guide to achieving work health and safety requirements under the WHS Act and Regulations.

It contains specific information and templates relating to:

  • safe work method statements
  • work health and safety management plans
  • induction requirements.

The Housing industry Site Safety pack provides the templates and framework for a WHS system to assist small subcontractors (0-10 workers).

More information

Consultation and toolbox talks

Consultation gives your workers the opportunity to participate and share information about health and safety at work.

Have you discussed:

  • the method of consultation to adopt on the project such as committee, HSR’s or other agreed arrangements?
  • the risks associated with the task they are about to perform?
  • proposing changes that may affect the work health and safety of workers?
  • making decisions about any work health and safety procedures?
  • the adequacy of facilities for the welfare of workers?

More information

                                          
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