11 March 2021 / Notice

Managing Risks / Falls and Falling Objects

Falls and falling objects are hazards which can occur on construction sites. Constant proactive attention is required to manage the risk of these hazards due to the dynamic nature of site.

Site management and all workers have a duty to provide and maintain a safe workplace for all everyone that puts ‘people before program’.

By working together on Hutchies’ sites with good communication and planning, we improve the safety of ourselves and everyone around us. This extends to visitors to site and members of the public who may interact with our projects. 

Actions

All Site Management Teams are to:

> Download and display the Big 10 poster on your site to raise awareness

> Deliver a toolbox talk (download template) at the next prestart to the site teams / workers to communicate the Big 10 as well as the below actions for workers

> Complete a Weekly Inspection – Big 10 in HammerTech every week to monitor and review the effectiveness of implemented control measures and identify areas that require attention or rectification

specifically review the falls and falling object control measures:

  • Housekeeping
  • Scaffold
  • Penetrations 
  • Edge protection

> Raise any issues or observations that are identified with the relevant trades to achieve an effective and timely close out

> View the short videos below as a refresher for the required risk controls

All workers should are to:

> Follow Hutchies’ site rules & obtain relevant permits to work 

> Follow approved Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS

> Consider changes to the work environment that may affect approved SWMS as work progresses

> Install required and approved exclusion zones correctly prior to starting work

> Do not enter an exclusion zone unless you have approval from the trade in control of the area

> Do not alter scaffold on site unless you are a licensed scaffolder and have been instructed to by Hutchies

> If required to use height safety equipment, be competent and suitably trained before and use it in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines

Remember, your Hutchies’ site management team is available if you need any help or you see something that is potentially unsafe.

By working together effectively, we can improve the safety for everyone on site and reduce the risk of incidents

Print
Watch BIG 10 VideoRead BIG 10 Items

Tools

Other Recent Activities

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9 April / Quality Alert
Prohibition on the Use of Engineered Stone

Engineered stone ban effective 1 July 2024

ALL engineered stone, regardless of the silica content percentage, is banned.

Alternative products must be considered and implemented on all projects.

In October last year Hutchies noted that the industry was shifting away from engineered stone due to the risks of respirable crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis and other silica related diseases.

On this basis, Hutchies proactively took a position to ban all engineered stone on our projects, regardless of silica content percentages, from 1 July 2024.

In December last year, we then had confirmation that following an Industrial Relations Ministers meeting, State and Commonwealth Leaders had agreed to ban engineered stone products.

Some at Hutchies have noted that the State and Federal communications concerning the ban have included transition periods as well as exemptions for some engineered stone with low (under 1%) silica content.

For clarity, there has been no change to Hutchies' position following these communications – Hutchies will not be using engineered stone that contains any percentage of silica on our projects from 1 July 2024.

Actions

To mitigate the impact of potential delays and variations, the best approach is to inform clients of the pending ban and to propose and seek approval for an alternative product.

Similarly, ensure all future estimates have the stone specification qualified and priced accordingly.

Refer to Hutchies' Stone Product & Suitability for Use List on the Document Library.

More information

If you need additional support, please contact:

Design — Michael Lawlor / Ogi Latinovic
Work Health & Safety — Jimmy Andersen
Industrial Relations — Ben Young
Other — Russell Fryer

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3 - 20 April / General
NOW OPEN / 2024 Hutchies Training Awards Nominations

Calling all nominations for stand out apprentices and cadets across Hutchies.

Help us by nominating an apprentice or cadet that you think is a true representation of Hutchies' way.

We also want to celebrate other significant training achievements by anyone else across company over the last 12 months.

Make your vote by COB 12 April 2024 (extended to Friday 18 April!)

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