NECA SA provides a wide range of workplace health and safety support, information and advice to members to assist them with managing their responsibilities in business.

The following outlines some of the main areas where NECA SA can help you manage your WHS requirements:

Improvement and Prohibition Notices

If these are served upon you by a SafeWork SA Inspector it is important that you respond in a timely and appropriate manner. Contact the NECA WHS manager as soon as you receive one of these notices. We can also assist in a mediation capacity if you are having difficulties with the OHS or Environment regulators. It’s better to give us a call early in discussions.

Safe Work Method Statements

Safe work method statements are required for all high risk work and are more and more required by clients for even routine work you perform at their premises. Many Principals are requiring that you develop SWMS at tender application stage. A work method statement can be developed after you have identified the hazards of the site and your operations and then assessed the risks associated with each phase or step in your work and how you will interact with others on the site.

The WHS manager can assist you in the preparation of SWMS.

Risk Assessments

There is a legal requirement to conduct a risk assessment on any process, item of plant or substance before introducing it to the workplace. Documentation to support your risk assessments does not have to be complicated but does need to demonstrate that you have done all things reasonably practicable to identify the risks associated with operation of equipment and work process and that you have applied sufficient control measures to eliminate risk or at least reduced risk to an acceptable level.

Seek assistance form the NECA WHS manager if you need.

Interpretation of WHS Legislation.

Health and safety legislation is a patchwork of Acts, Regulations, Codes and Standards. Often the devil is in the detail and sometimes things seem contradictory. To help you understand the details of legislation and put them into the context of your operations it is worth giving the WHS manager a call.

Contract Assistance

Winning large contracts these days can require you to wade through many documents at tender stage. Safety management Plans, Work Method Statements, Risk Assessments, licenses, permits, and prequalification requirements all add to the confusion. For assistance in this regard, contact the WHS Manager.

Workers Compensation and Return to Work

Workers Compensation and rehabilitation and return to work of injured employees can create quite a distraction from your core business. Returning injured employees to their pre-injury condition and activities requires a joint effort between you, the injured worker and your rehabilitation provider. No one expects you to be expert at this function as you will (hopefully) only have to be involved in such functions very rarely. Getting the process right and knowing what to expect from your claims agent and rehabilitation provider can result in significant savings and reduce your stress levels. Call the WHS manager if you need assistance in this area.

Accreditation

There are a number of accreditation schemes around that recognise your OHS programmes if they meet certain performance criterion and format. In some instances, accreditation is necessary to be awarded federal government funded works. Principals are more often asking for sub-contractors to be accredited to some recognised standard as part of the pre-qualification process. While most accreditation schemes require independent evaluation NECA can assist in the establishment of your WHS programme in preparation for accreditation.

NECAsafe Manual

This safety manual provides you with the basis for a WHS management system suitable for small to medium organisations. Of course, just having the manual in your possession does not mean that you have a WHS managements system; there is still the implementation of the elements contained within the manual. NECA can assist by making presentations to you and your employees and helping you develop the systems defined in the manual.

Due to the uncertainty of the changes to the manual that may eventuate from the national harmonised legislation due in January 2012, members who have purchased the NECA Safe manual after July1, 2011 will have their manual upgraded at a cost of $100 once the new version has been finalised.

Toolbox Talks

We have also developed for members a series of toolbox talks for staff that address a number of hazards and most typical situations that may be encountered at the workplace. These toolbox talks are designed to be delivered to small groups providing an ideal environment to have open discussions about WHS issues and conveying your expectations to them.

Incident Investigations

In the event of a serious workplace incident that results in personal injury or significant asset damage it is important that you conduct a thorough investigation as soon after the incident as practicable. An independent investigation that records the Who? Why? When? Where? What? and How? of the incident may serve you well in preventing similar incidents, improving your work methods and be invaluable in the event of further actions from the regulator, civil actions or even disciplinary procedures. The WHS manager at NECA can provide this service.

WHS Audits

An independent audit of your WHS system can be the best way of moving forward and continuously improving. An audit process allows you to steadily progress and set achievable objectives. An audit can evaluate individual WHS systems or you overall WHS programme. Audits can be made against established standards or against you own programme objectives. A fresh set of eyes can make a difference.

Site Inspections

An independent assessment and report of your worksites can provide you with a ‘point in time’ evaluation of how your WHS systems are being applied in practice. Reports from these inspections allow you to show that you are providing a safe work environment and provide you with guidance about where improvements can be made.

WHS Training

Organising training for small groups can be frustrating and expensive. NECA can coordinate training on a number of WHS issues. In some instances, NECA can deliver the training but when not in scope can coordinate that training from one of the registered training organisations who offer courses at a discount to NECA members.

Further Information

For further information or assistance with any of the above please contact the NECA SA office on (08) 8272 2966 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).