Detailed Report: WHS Compliance of Contractors - BSBWHS418 Analysis

This report assesses the WHS compliance of contractors, focusing on fall protection, ladder and scaffold safety, and induction training. The report identifies non-compliance issues, such as inadequate fall protection measures and lack of proper stair arrangements, and offers suggestions for updating policies and procedures to align with safety standards. It emphasizes the importance of providing contractors with comprehensive training on various safety topics, including workplace hazards, equipment malfunctions, harassment, theft, worker health, electrical accidents, chemical safety, and smoking. The report references relevant literature on workplace health and safety regulations and enforcement, and serves as a guide to improve contractor safety practices and ensure a safe working environment.

BSBWHS418 Assist with
managing WHS
compliance of contractors

2 contractor policies, procedures,
requirement checklist
 Working at height:
• The contractor is required to eliminate working from height where possible.
• Approved height protection measures are required to be taken based on risk and
relevant equipment must be provided to labors.
• It is duty of contractor to ensure that their personnel has taken required training.
• Contractor is required to use fall protection equipment such as buddy system to
ensure rescue of fallen workers.
• It is duty of contractor to ensure that whether rescue plan is included in fall
protection plan.

Continued…
 Ladder and scaffolds:
• Metal/ aluminum ladders must not be used in areas where electric hazards
exist.
• Compliance of Australian standards regarding ladders and it must be in good
condition.
• The scaffolds used in work site must comply with Australian standards and
must be assembled by trained personnel.
• It is essential to check whether erection, moving and dismantling of scaffolds
are done under supervision of trained person.

Feedback
 As it was found that there is non-compliance in term of abiding with fall
protection. At present the contractor seems to be incapable when it comes
to fall protection. Which is around 4 feet.
 It was also characterized that there were no proper arrangements for stairs.
Since the work area is greater than 20 feet so in this term the contractors
are breaching the code of conduct.
 There were some minute perils of installing standard guardrails. This may
cause some severe repercussions since there are rigors requirement due to
notion of employee protection.

Suggestions to update policies/ procedures
 According to checklist it was ensured that fall protection will be of 6 feet but it is
of 4 feet only which is required to be changed to protect workers from injuries.
 The areas with more than 20 feet will be provided with stair system which is to be
complied so that work can be effectively conducted and workers can be protected.
 The floors that are opened where to be covered or surrounded with standard
guardrail, but they are not been covered which may cause any accident and
workers or other people may get severe injuries.

10 safety topics to be covered in induction
training of contractors
 Importance of safety at workplace: It is necessary for contractor to know about all
safety measures at workplace, and they are required to provide training of the same
to their employees or labors too.
 Slipping and tripping hazards: There are many hazards that can take place during
work at site therefore, it is essential for contractor to have knowledge about this topic
so that they can take safety measures.

Continued….
 Inappropriate machine guarding: There are various equipment and machines
used while working in site and inappropriate use of machines can be dangerous
for everyone. Contractors must be provided with training regarding use of
machines.
 Equipment malfunctions or breakdown: The equipment to be used by
contractors and workers are to be used carefully as improper use may be harmful
and contractor is also required to keep all equipment safe and must check them
before use. It is necessary to provide training on equipment.

Continued…
 Workplace harassment: The workers who are working in site are
from different background and there may changes of harassment at
workplace. Therefore, contractor must be aware of such practice
and related consequences. Training must be provided to ensure
friendly environment at workplace and to avoid any disputes or
conflicts.
 Workplace Theft: The workers who are working are unskilled
labors and there may be chances theft at workplace and misuse of
equipment and tools. It is the responsibility of contractor to
monitor the work of labors and check if there is any theft practices
going on at workplace.

Continued…
 Workers existing health conditions: The health and safety of employees are the
primary responsibility of contractors. They must ensure that the health of labor are
good, and they are able to work at site.
 Electrical accident: There are many accidents that occur at electricity areas
therefore, contractors must be aware of measures to be taken at electricity areas. The
contractor must be given training regarding electrical accidents and the measures that
can be taken to avoid these accidents.

Continued….
 Safety related with chemicals: At many sites chemicals are being used
and labors working at site are not aware of these chemicals and harm that
chemicals can cause if not used properly. Therefore, contractors must be
given training regarding these harmful chemicals to avoid accidents.
 Smoking and vaping: There are various chemicals and electrical tools
and equipment that are being used at workplace and smoking at
workplace may cause exposures which may be dangerous for everyone.
At training, it will be advised to contractor avoid smoking at workplace.

References
 Bilgrami, A., Cutler, H. and Sinha, K., 2021. Do standardised workplace health and safety laws and increased
enforcement activities reduce the probability of receiving workers' compensation? (No. 21/08). HEDG, c/o Department of
Economics, University of York.
 Johnstone, R., 2019. Regulating work health and safety in multilateral business arrangements. Australian Journal of
Labour Law. 32(1). pp.41-61.
 Bilgrami, A., Cutler, H. and Sinha, K., 2021. The impact of harmonising Australia’s workplace health and safety laws on
workers compensation (No. 773). GLO Discussion Paper.
 Charlesworth, S., Macdonald, F. and Clarke, J., 2020. Nature and extent of gender-based violence in individualised
disability support & aged care services in Victoria Scoping Study Report for Worksafe Victoria. Centre for People
Organisation & Work, RMIT University, Melbourne. DOI. 10.
 Lingard, H. and Wakefield, R., 2019. Integrating work health and safety into construction project management. John
Wiley & Sons.