ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR WORK SAFELY
The second year of the Work Safely program being conducted by Box Hill Institute of TAFE for the Construction Material Processors Association has been delivered between March and December this year. During this time almost 200 participants have received accredited Safety training at Ballarat, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Horsham, Traralgon (2 programs) and Bendigo (2 programs). Five programs were delivered in the Melbourne Metropolitan area at Komatsu and William Adams and Yarra Valley Quarries, Woori Yallock. Again, the Department of Primary Industries have provided some greatly appreciated support for the program including the provision of training rooms.
Participants have ranged from quarry managers through to operators and have on occasions included representatives from companies who operate at various quarry sites including electrical and engineering contractors. There has been a high representation of female participants from the quarry administration areas. These participants are benefiting greatly from the program as they are often the key facilitators in initiating and monitoring legislation and documentation including MSDS manuals, etc.
Participants have been giving feedback indicating that the program is effectively covering safety issues and have said “it gave good direction as to where the company has to go” and “it enlightened me on a lot of relevant information”. When asked what was the strongest point of the course, replies included “the amount we covered in the time”; “instructor’s knowledge”; “the legal side of things ….makes me want to take more responsibility for me and my work mates” and “the importance of making the place safe”. A Manager commented that he was very impressed with the change in motivation and attitude of an individual employee who had completed the program and consequently sent a number of his employees to the program.
Individual support for participants has been provided at all training sessions and participants have commented “I am not one for writing, but I found the assessment manageable, the instructions were useful without being overly intrusive”; “spelling is not my strong point and the assistance offered was most appropriate” and “I appreciated the help given and found it very useful and it made me look forward to the next session”.
A continuing program is planned for 2004 which will provide Safety Training for those employees who have not to this date had the opportunity to participate in the Work Safely program.
Also, a new program is planned to be launched in 2004 which will feature Risk Control Processes and Procedures and also will further extend the competency concept. The CMPA is aware of the need to support safety/risk assessment training for employees, contractors and owners in private businesses throughout Victoria. The proposed course will enhance this knowledge and will become part of a building block to higher level qualifications and lead to enhanced business profitability. In addition, it is proposed the a pilot program will be designed and delivered which will focus on the Information Technology requirements of participants progressing to Certificate IV in the newly endorsed Extractive Industries Training Package.
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