Risk Assessments – What are they? and how you can use them?
Small to Medium sized Construction Businesses that I have been working with over the past 20 years, seem to have a focus on “The SWMS” – (meaning the Safe Work Method Statement).
This has come about mainly because of ‘The Worry’- that a State Safety Inspector may drop into your work site and ask to see one – (in hard copy & signed off by all Team Members).
The Legal requirements are that a SWMS is required if your workers are doing High Risk work. Though this is true– but few Supervisors or Business Operators stop to think – “what are the High Risks” or “doesn’t my SWMS cover everything?”.
Most ‘SWMS’ across Australia are pre-written, though this is the most time-efficient way, at best, only about 95% of the content is relevant. Meaning, the remaining 5% is most likely where the ‘Hidden Risks’ are.
At HRB Consulting, we believe that a greater understanding of Risk Assessments will produce a more accurate (100%) SWMS.
SWMS should be a ‘Living Document’- with the results of your Pre-Start Site Risk Assessment providing the remaining 5% of observations that should be written into the SWMS on the day! – discussed at your pre-start toolbox – then confirmed as to be included into the pre-written SWMS.
On-Site Risks can change daily. Recently in Noosa, a team of block wall installers failed to observe a BOM forecast of high wind gusts, resulting in a ‘green-wall’ collapsing- injuring one Worker, before they had bracing in place.
Training & Presentations
HRB Consulting can assist with On Site Inspections Plus On Site Training & Presentations to your Team on ‘Understanding & Use of Risk Assessments’. Contact HRB Consulting.
