10 critical risk events and controls

1. Fall from an unprotected edge or opening at height
2. Weather conditions leading to fall of person
3. Failure of structure (temporary or permanent, failure in design)
4. Failure of brittle surfaces (Asbestos sheeting)
5. Fall from plant, equipment, or vehicle
6. Failure of anchor points
7. Fall from access equipment (ladders)
8. Failure of access equipment
9. Fall into an unprotected excavation, pit, void or opening.

1. All prevention barriers – Provide physical barriers in accordance Australian Standards to control falls from height.
2. Height access equipment – Height access equipment operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Temporary access platforms – Temporary access platforms must be designed in accordance with Australian Standards. Maintain three points of contact when accessing equipment and work areas.
4. Penetrations, risers and shafts – Install covers to penetrations, risers, and shafts. “Penetration Below - Do Not Remove”.
5. Fall restraint and fall arrest equipment – All fall restraint and fall arrest equipment including anchor points must be used in accordance with Australian Standards.
6. Rescue procedures – Emergency procedures must be in place for the recovery of any person who has fallen.

Example of temporary edge protection: Buildsafe guard

Example of temporary void and stair system: Buildsafe void platform system

Example of balcony guard rail: Buildsafe balcony fallguard

1. Materials falling from an elevated work area.
2. High wind event causes materials to fall.
3. Design, installation, storage, maintenance not in accordance with engineers or manufactures design and installation requirements.
4. Uncontrolled collapse of a structure, plant, or materials.

1. Enclosure of work areas – Provide physical barriers in accordance Australian Standards to control falls from height i.e., guardrails, shade cloth or mesh.
2. Tool and equipment tethers/lanyards – Use tool tethers or lanyards when working at height.
3. Wind exposure – Tie down or move to safe area all objects that could topple or be blown or uplifted relocated.
4. Structural alterations – Ensure temporary or permanent structures are secured. Conduct inspections of all temporary and permanent structures.
5. Exclusion zones – Where tools, materials, objects, or equipment could fall erect exclusion zone around overhead work.
6. Secondary protection or catch measures – Erect overhead protection where objects could fall.

Example of tool lanyard: Never Let Go tool tethering

1. Lack of training leading to lack of competency, impairment e.g. speed, distractions, failure of ground or structure
2. Mechanical failure e.g., fires, tyres, and brakes
3. Inadequate planning e.g., lack of segregation, public transport interfaces, plant/personnel, loss of control, failure of communications or traffic control
4. Sub-standard roads, weather conditions e.g., turning points, fog, unclear pedestrian/vehicle routes, unstable ground or structures, poor interface management, restricted operator vison, blind spots, poor lighting or visibility, poor road markings and obstacles
5. Vehicle or equipment is unfit for purpose e.g., lack of maintenance, poor procurement, structural fatigue, exceeding the design parameters
6. Third party event e.g., visitor or member of public unauthorised access to work areas, unplanned medical event, sabotage, theft and contact with other equipment
7. Incorrect assembly or disassembly of temporary or permanent structures.

1. Traffic management – Onsite and offsite traffic management for construction and haul roads and spotters (TC’s)
2. Pedestrian and vehicle segregation – Provide clear separation between pedestrians, materials, and vehicles, i.e. physical barriers such as water filled plastic barriers
3. Parking and traffic routes – Implement traffic management plans to avoid vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian interaction
4. Use of light vehicles on site – Implement traffic management plans for tool of trade vehicles operating in construction zones
5. Use of plant, equipment and vehicles – Onsite traffic management controls for mobile plant, equipment and vehicles used for ground and civil works
6. Installation, inspection, maintenance, and dismantling – Fixed and mobile plant must be installed, erected, adjusted, inspected, maintained, in accordance with the engineers and manufacturer’s requirements by qualified personnel
7. Vehicle and plant recovery and rescue – Develop recovery measures for vehicles and plant immobilised or bogged.

Traffic management

Pedestrian segregation protected walkway example: All Scaf Access

1. Unintentional contact with or proximity to live exposed electrical source – HV or LV
2. Unintentional contact with or proximity to live overhead power lines
3. Unintentional contact with or proximity to live buried electrical services
4. Unintentional contact with electricity by a qualified electrician when performing work on known live electrical services
5. Power tools not tested and tagged, in poor condition, not maintained.

1. Identification and schematics – All electrical circuits, fixed and construction wiring, including overhead/underground services are identified and recorded
2. Appropriate electrical equipment – All electrical equipment including insulated mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) must be fit for purpose and compliant. Test and tag electrical tools 3 monthly
3. Electrical supply – Construction electrical supply boards must locate near work areas to minimise trailing cables. Permanent and temporary power sources must be secured to prevent unauthorised access
4. Isolation – De-energise, isolate, test and prove for dead prior to any work on electrically powered items
5. Live work – Live work is authorised, planned, and communicated and prohibits lone working
6. Fault finding – When investigating any electrical equipment identify and rectify faults. All items must be treated as live until the fault is located
7. Overhead conductors – Prevent inadvertent overhead services contact by equipment or operational activity
8. Underground services – Prior to ground disturbance, underground electrical services must be positively located with work planned accordingly.

Energy exclusion zones example from Energex

Underground services: Before You Dig Australia

1. Plant, equipment, or vehicle on fire due to inadequate maintenance, improper use or being unfit for purpose.
2. Unsafe and non-compliant hot works
3. Ignition of flammable materials >5% LEL e.g. gas, liquid or solids
4. Self-combustion of gases, chemicals
5. Unplanned sudden release of stored flammable materials
6. Failure of component or system
7. Frictional ignition from equipment
8. Unauthorised smoking and other open flame ignition sources
9. Unsafe re-fueling activities
10. Utilities, electrical system, or cable overheating
11. Poor housekeeping and unsafe storage of combustible materials
12. Intentional or un-intentional third-party activities
13. Adverse weather conditions.

1. Prioritisation of non-combustible materials – Substitute or minimise use of combustible materials with non-combustible or lowest combustible materials wherever possible
2. Ignition sources – Eliminate ignition sources
3. Inspection and maintenance – Inspect and maintain fire monitoring and mitigation systems and equipment
4. Hot work – Permits to work must be in place for all hot works activities
5. Refuelling equipment – Controlled refuelling areas and procedures for refuelling large equipment, plant, machinery, and vehicles
6. Excavations and tunnelling – Geotechnical investigations must identify gas or trapped hydrocarbons
7. Means of escape – Provide clear means of escape.

Fire extinguisher and chemical storage

1. Failure of, foundation, or supports (crane tower or mobile crane)
2. Crane and lifting equipment overload due poor planning
3. Crane and lifting equipment collision e.g. jibs
4. Improper assembly or disassembly of plant or equipment
5. Crane and lifting equipment used incorrectly or not to standard e.g. insufficient locks and limit devices
6. Adverse conditions (e.g. storms, slopes, ground conditions
7. Plant and equipment misuse or lack of competence
8. Operator fatigue or impairment
9. Equipment not maintained
10. Impact from other plant or equipment
11. Fire on crane and lifting equipment
12. Overload of structures
13. Sabotage.

1. Cranes and hoisting equipment in use – Only use lifting and hoisting equipment suitable for the operation
2. Lift plans – Prepare lift plans for two crane lifts
3. Installation, Inspection, maintenance, and dismantling – Cranes and other hoisting equipment must be installed, erected, adjusted, inspected, maintained, and dismantled in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements
4. Tower crane access and security – Install anti-climb barriers to crane towners
5. Ground conditions – All cranes must be established and set up on approved ground conditions
6. Fatigue management – Implement a fatigue management program
7. Preventing plant collisions – Implement traffic management plans
8. Handling objects – Uncontrolled movement of objects must not occur
9. Movement of cranes – Audible alarms, anti-collision devices, deceleration devices to slow the bridge or gantry crane down, signage.

1. Mechanical failure e.g. hydraulic
2. Not fitting guarding or bypassing interlocks.
3. Equipment is unfit for purpose e.g. lack of or irregular maintenance, inadequate guarding or interlocking
4. Inadequate planning e.g. poor instructions on safe use and lack of segregation
5. Operator error e.g. competency and/or fatigue, failure to perform bump test on earthmoving equipment attachments
6. Uncontrolled release of stored energy
7. Failure of quick release couplers and safety pin not engaged.

1. Guarding – Ensure machine guarding is fitted and in good working order
2. Preventing Access – Appropriate physical and non-physical barriers must be in place to prevent access to specific areas with mobile plant and equipment and maintenance activities are being undertaken. i.e. Spotters/TC’s
3. Mobile equipment maintenance – Implement and monitor appropriate maintenance in accordance with manufactures maintenance procedures
4. Emergency stops – Ensure equipment equipped with emergency stops are operational
5. Fit fully automatic quick hitches and conduct bump test on attachments.

1. Inadequate design relating to ground stability, foundations, and structure
2. Inadequate construction, workmanship and installation e.g. overloading, incorrect sequencing, not following design or unauthorised alteration
3. Impact by third party activities e.g. struck by vehicle or plant, third party activities, weather affecting ground stability or leading to the undermining or erosion of adjacent ground and sabotage
4. Inadequate maintenance, inspection, and testing, including stability of permanent structures supporting the temporary works
5. Lack of operator experience.

1. High risk work licencing – Ensure persons have the appropriate high-risk work licences. Ensure workers erecting formwork, fencing and permanent and temporary structures are trained and competent
2. Structural Integrity – Ensure designers have documented design requirements for permanent and non-permanent structures including methods for adjusting temporary and permanent structures
3. Installation – The installation of structural elements must be subject to quality management rigour and certification
4. Exclusion Zones/Overhead Protection – An adequate exclusion zone or overhead protection must be in place for demolition works or any other controlled method of structural deconstruction where there is a risk of structural collapse beyond the applicable area.

1. Unsafe work methods e.g. poor sequencing, failure of temporary or permanent support and stocks unsafe
2. Ground or spoil movement due to vibration from vehicles, adjacent work activities
3. Adverse weather and natural disasters, including water ingress
4. Unexpected ground conditions e.g. voids, ground or water pressure
5. Inadequate design, procurement, maintenance and lack of inspections of excavations, trenches and stockpile, failure or incorrect installation of benching, battering or shoring
6. Lack of training, skills and competency of workers and frontline leaders.

1. Ground Conditions – Excavations and stockpiles must be managed in accordance geological conditions. Inspect trenches, excavations, and stockpile before entering for stability
2. Excavation and Stockpile Management – Consider safe angles, access, and structural integrity of trenches, excavations, and stockpiles
3. Check stockpiles daily, especially after significant weather conditions (long term sun and heavy rain)
4. Rollover Protection and Falling Object Protective Structure – Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS) on plant and equipment
5. Emergency Response – Provide an effective local emergency response capability.

1. Exposure to identified or unidentified hazardous substances
2. Ineffective management of known hazardous substances
3. Existing structures containing asbestos and other hazardous materials are disturbed during inspection, maintenance, cleaning, demolition, or renovation
4. Asbestos air monitoring is ineffective
5. Contact with flora or fauna e.g., toxic flora, spiders, snakes, fire ants, dogs, urine, or faecal matter
6. Clothing or PPE is inappropriate or not used during exposure whilst working
7. Level and duration of exposure to natural/artificial temperatures including unexpected temperature changes
8. Excessive physical activity and duration
9. Pre-existing illness or medical conditions
10. Failure of cooling, heating, or ventilation systems
11. Insufficient consumption of water and food
12. Falling elements (e.g. trees or tree limbs)

1. Asbestos register and removal plan - Licenced asbestos removalist must obtain the asbestos register. Licenced asbestos removalist must prepare an asbestos removal plan. Licensed asbestos removalist must complete a clearance inspection/certificate
2. Health monitoring – Refer to Codes of Practice
3. Air monitoring – Refer to Codes of Practice
4. Extreme temperatures or humidity –Consider rest breaks, adequate supplies of drinking water, sun protection, shaded areas
5. Interaction with flora, fauna and allergens – Provide snake bite kits, treatment for bites and stings, Poison Information Centre 13 11 26
6. Exposure to hazardous substances – Provide SDS for all hazardous substances. Complete a hazardous chemical register
7. Hazardous substance storage – Refer to a hazardous substance compatibility chart to ensure non-compatible substances are stored correctly. Minimise the number of hazardous substances on the project. Store hazardous substances in approved storage cupboards.