Site safety is critical in construction projects, providing the balance between progress and protection. Beyond the blueprints, heavy machinery and engineering designs lies the safety of the people who work hard to make these big projects happen — the construction workers. Prioritising the safety of workers isn't just a legal obligation; it's a basic responsibility and fundamental duty of care for employers and contractors.
Safety protocol documentation on high risk construction projects is now mandatory under Safe Work Australia regulations.
A safe work method statement (SWMS) is required, which is "a document that sets out the high risk construction work activities to be carried out at a workplace, the hazards arising from these activities and the measures to be put in place to control the risks".
There is an interactive SWMS tool1 that provides guidance on preparing, using and reviewing documented safety plans for high risk construction work. It also includes a comprehensive list of high risk construction work, from heights to dangerous materials and confined spaces.
A business or employer that carries out high risk construction work has a duty of care to employees that includes preparing, keeping, complying with and reviewing SWMS protocols.
Worker injury claims in the construction industry on average cost $20,000 per person, totalling $29 million per year. Each year about 12,600 workers compensation claims are lodged by the construction industry for injuries and diseases involving one or more weeks off work — amounting to 35 serious claims each day, according to Safe Work Australia data2.
The construction industry recorded the second largest number of fatalities across Australia in 20233, and Safe Work Australia data shows machinery operators and drivers tend to be at increased risk4.
Providing health and safety training for workers is not optional, Australian legislation states that employers are responsible for providing health and safety information and training to employees.
Safe Work Australia guidance states that the law requires employers to provide and maintain:
These are the employer's duty of care, and failing in duty of care responsibilities can result in substantial fines, as well as the critical risk of compromising employee safety.
It is a core requirement for proper information, instruction and training to be provided to employees:
Despite recording the second-highest fatality rate and several studies showing that comprehensive training programs significantly improve safety, the industry has low training investment levels, a gap that puts workers at unnecessary risk5 .
There are many challenges to successful site safety knowledge and education:
Providing health and safety training is good for business because the investment it requires saves money in the long term and provides many added benefits.
The Gallagher Workplace Risk specialism provides safety education content that caters to diverse learning abilities, promotes long-term knowledge retention and reduces the risk of compliance lapses.
We design flexible and engaging programs, including online safety training, for employers, employees and contractors, on SWMS awareness and implementation, covering all critical areas to ensure worksites are meeting and ideally exceeding workplace safety obligations.
1Interactive safe work method statement (SWMS) tool, Safe Work Australia, accessed 28 Feb 2024.
2Construction Industry Profile, Safe Work Australia, accessed 28 Feb 2024.
3Preliminary fatalities — 2024, Safe Work Australia, accessed 28 Feb 2024.
4Construction industry stats: the good and the bad news, Worksafe Queensland, accessed 28 Feb 2024.
5Industry Report: The Deadly Consequences of Inadequate Training, cloudassess.com, accessed 28 Feb 2024.
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