High on the agenda of National Precast’s Master Precasters is ensuring the highest possible safety standards for workers. It is an ethos that is advocated by the industry’s peak body, National Precast.
According to National Precast’s CEO Sarah Bachmann, the organisation regularly educates and communicates with its members on safety matters.
“While precast construction offers many safety benefits, good safety practices both in the factory and onsite are imperative. We are constantly trying to raise the bar, via member newsletters and presentations and with our ongoing dealings with WHS authorities,” she says.
“A workplace health and safety briefing at our most recent national member conference is case in point.”
The briefing was presented by Elizabeth Radley, Partner of Professional Associate member Moray and Agnew and gave members an update on their WHS obligations and responsibilities.
As well, National Precast regularly communicates with members via newsletters on safety matters, bringing them up to date with changes to standards and codes and sharing information on benchmarked industry best practices.
Master Precasters audited on safety practices
The focus on safety is a cornerstone of the organisation’s audit process for new Master Precasters. All of National Precast’s Master Precasters have been professionally audited to ensure that they comply with all elements of a competent health and safety management system. Safety is assessed and addressed in every stage of the manufacturing process.
“It is a critical component of the audit, and if the precaster doesn’t come up to scratch, they won’t be admitted as a Master Precaster” says Bachmann.
“Along with quality and environmental systems and process checks, safe work practices are something we carefully assess. We make sure the precaster not only has the right policies and systems in place, but importantly, that these are implemented on a daily basis.”
Precaster offers ongoing safety training
An example of the priority placed on safety by National Precast’s Master Precasters, is Rutherford NSW-based Waeger Constructions. Waeger’s Managing Director Michael Waeger is also the current President of the industry body.
“At Waeger Constructions we are committed to providing a safe working environment and safety is a major priority,” Waeger says.
All staff at Waeger are involved in weekly safety observations. These observations not only provide office based staff with an understanding of the tasks undertaken in Waeger’s precast yard, but increase overall safety awareness, ensure compliance to the company’s policies and procedures and provide ongoing opportunities to identify improvements to best practice.
“It is part of the ongoing learning and development we provide for our teams in all aspects of safety across the business,” Waeger adds.
Regular site visits by the company’s safety team, to work with site crews to better understand rescue training, is just one example. These visits provide opportunities to test various techniques and strategies, so workers understand the safest and most efficient way to execute a rescue from heights.
This article was originally published in the July edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.
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