OH&S Networking Workshop

A cross section of industry participants recently came together to further understand their role as OH&S Supervisors. CMPA Administration Officer GAVIN MOREIRA reports on the outcomes of the workshop.

OVER 25 people from CMPA member and non member companies, government and unions attended the OH&S Networking Workshop held at William Adams Laverton Training Rooms on Thursday 17th June. The Workshop aimed to establish a networking forum for those involved in health and safety supervision for Victoria. To enhance the understanding of health and safety issues pertaining to health and safety reps and supervisors on site. As well as, identifying common health and safety issues and endeavours to developing workable solutions.

The Workshop commenced with a short word from the sponsor of the day Nick O’Brien, William Adams. The workshop was facilitated by Sarah Andrew and started with an introduction from attendees who spoke about key work safe issues on their sites.

This was followed by an educational presentation by Mark O’Brien, Inspector from WorkSafe. He provided an overview of the roles of Health and Safety Reps and Supervisors on site, as well as the obligations of employers to elected HSR’s.

This was followed by group discussions looking at the identified work safe issues on attendee sites and working towards developing workable solutions for each issue.

A presentation by Percy Pillai, HSR Support Officer of the Australian Workers Union discussed his role and how he can help OH&S Supervisors on site to play an active part in making Victorian workplaces safer for employees and employers.

Teams then worked together to identify the positives and negatives for each of the work safe issues and proposed solutions and presented them back to the group.

For example, the Workshop looked at an Internal Traffic Management Plan to improve traffic flow on site and to improve the level of safety for people on foot and in light vehicles. The following is a list to help improve safety:

• Entry point – communicate before entry, induction, site mapping, road widths, bund heights
• Signage – speed limits, driving conditions, clear directions, complies with standards
• Communication – check each person is clear on all information required, 2way/UHF
• Stock Piles – designated holding and loading areas, reloading procedures
• Vehicles – fitted with flashing lights, flags, reverse beepers
• Designated walkways

Next Step – Workshop material will be complied into safety checklists shortly for viewing on the CMPA website.

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