In construction recently has been SAFETY, with two high profile incidents in March, and ten accidents reported in all.
The two widely reported incidents both occurred on large sites, run by major contractors, with strict safety regulations and reporting processes in place. The fact that these things still happen begs the question: how many incidents go unreported on a regular basis on smaller, less regulated sites? The Occupational Health & Safety Office estimates that there is gross under-reporting of workplace accidents, and are pursuing means to corroborate this through disclosure from Insurers and Medical Practitioners.
It is important for all of us to be aware of our daily exposure to safety risks, the regulations governing those risks, and our collective and individual obligation to mitigate them.
Employers’ responsibilities, generally, include maintaining and providing safe equipment; ensuring safe use, handling, storage and transport of materials; providing safe means of access and egress; maintaining a safe place of work and facilities; and providing all necessary information, instruction, training and supervision.
While the above will add to the cost of managing a job site, the cost of lost productivity, or long-term physical impairment, is more difficult to quantify.
In addition to their responsibility to their employees, employers also have a serious responsibility to the public, to mitigate their exposure to risks inherent in proximity to job sites.
The various pieces of legislation governing these activities are:
- Occupational Safety and Health Act 1992 (consolidated 2004)
- Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2002
- Occupational Health and Safety (Approved Code of Practice) Notice 1997
This information will be available for reference or download at www.constructionbermuda.com
More specifically, Employers have a duty to investigate and report on “Accidents” and “Dangerous Occurrences”; make a copy of the Act and Regulations available for use by all employees; have documents, data, procedures, etc. on the safe use and handling of materials and equipment available for use; and, as previously mentioned, to mitigate exposure of the public to safety risks.
How do we go about fulfilling these obligations?
- Establish and empower a Health & Safety Committee to address requirements.
- Ensure all machinery and equipment receives regularly scheduled maintenance Equipment operators are adequately trained
- Make H&S information readily available at all places of work, including jobsites
- Ensure availability of resources, such as first aid and fire safety equipment and training, at all places of work
- Fulfill and adhere to all reporting requirements
Duties of a Health & Safety Committee are:
- Risk Assessment
- Team Inspection
- In-house investigation of accidents and complaints
- Orientation, Training and Continuing Education
Make-up of the Health & Safety Committee should be:
- 2 – 12 persons
- Half representing employees, half representing management
- If one committee to cover all job sites, two persons from each site over 10 persons
- Separate sub-committees for large projects
Don’t let our tranquil surroundings fool you, risks are all around us.
At the helm of any successful H&S program are the Coordinator and Committee members. It is incumbent on these representatives to take their responsibilities seriously and not just go through the motions to fulfill an obligation. Their obligation is not only to their employer but also to their fellow workers. They must get their message across, with clear backup from the employer, in a way that is received and heard by all employees.
The key to the success of all of this is full commitment, from everyone within the workplace, to a safe environment. Looking through the Act and other legislation, one gets the impression that everything is covered; that it is up to others to deal with, while the rest of us get on with our work. As we’ve seen recently, even with the best processes and regulated environment, accidents can still happen. We all need to be aware, and looking for, the risks around us. Take the initiative to remove obstacles and circumstances that increase these risks. Don’t simply rely on legislation and documents to protect you and your fellow workers.
Click to download:
Approved Code of Practice for Occupational Health and Safety
Construction Project Information (Health & Safety Office)
Emergency Procedures Notice
First Aid Box Location Sign
Health and Safety Committees Regulations 1984
Health and Safety Policy Statement of Intent
Incident Report Record
Joint Health and Safety Committee Form
Occupational Health and Safety (Approved Code of Practive) Notice 1997
Occupational Health and Safety Ammendment Act 2005
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1982 (consolidated 2004)
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2002