Compliance Audit - Height Safety Management

Written by Winning Safety.

Introduction

The Work Health & Safety Regulation 2011 outlines the requirements for a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to manage risks with regards to falls.

According to the Work Health & Safety Regulation 2011 section 78 - Management of risk of fall - A PCBU at a workplace must, manage risks to health and safety associated with a fall by a person from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury to the person or any other person.

This includes the risk of falls;

in or on an elevated workplace
in the vicinity of an opening through which a person could fall
in the vicinity of an edge over which a person could fall
on a surface through which a person could fall
in any other place from which a person could fall

The PCBU must ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, that any work that involves the risk of a fall is carried out on the ground or on a solid construction

A PCBU must provide safe means of access to and exit from the workplace; and any area within the workplace that includes the risk of falls.

Specific requirements to minimise risk of fall

The person provides adequate protection against the risk if the person provides and maintains a safe system of work, including by;

providing a fall prevention device; or
providing a work positioning system; or
providing a fall arrest system, so far as is reasonably practicable.

A fall prevention device includes;

a secure fence; and
edge protection; and
working platforms; and
covers

Emergency and rescue procedures

A PCBU must;

establish emergency procedures, including rescue procedures, in relation to the use of the system.
ensure that the emergency procedures are tested so that they are effective.
provide relevant workers with suitable and adequate information, training and instruction in relation tothe emergency procedures.

Purpose

The overall purpose of the survey is to;

Assess compliance with Queensland Work Health and Safety Legislation in particular the due diligence obligations of the PCBU and 'officers'
Verify and validate the implementation and effectiveness of the current WHS Management System with regards to;
1. management of falls as defined by Queensland Work Health and Safety Legislation and associated standards and guidance material.
Identify 'Opportunities for Improvements"
Report the findings to the PCBU

Scope

The scope of the audit coveres the following aspects of the businesses operations;

Confined Spaces
Restricted Spaces

References

The following reference criteria were used in the compliance assessment of the WHS Management System;

the Queensland Work Health & Safety Act 2011;
the Queensland Work Health & Safety Regulations 2011;
AS/NZS 2865:2009 Confined Spaces

Methodology

Approach

The auditor ensures consistency in approach methodology by following the steps outlined below;

pre-start meeting with the business representatives
scope & expectations briefing
Identify & review scope framework documentation
site inspection & interviews with relevant persons.
Completion of the audit guidance tool
Preparation of the Draft Report
Issue 'Draft for Comment' report
Submit report for peer review
Finalise and release report

Survey guidance tool

An audit guidance tool is developed to measure the compliance of each element in the scope criteria at the time of inspection.

Deliverables

The following deliverables are realised at the conclusion of the survey;

Preliminary findings presentation (Audit Close out meeting)
Final Report in PDF format.
- A hardcopy of the report can be provided for an additional fee.

<div class="content clearfix">
<h2>Introduction</h2>
The Work Health & Safety Regulation 2011 outlines the requirements for a person conducting a business or undertaking to manage risks with regards to confined spaces.</div>
<div class="content clearfix">A confined space means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that—</div>
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li class="content clearfix">is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person; and</li>
<li class="content clearfix">is, or is designed or intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while any person is in the space; and</li>
<li class="content clearfix">is or is likely to be a risk to health and safety from—<ol style="list-style-type: lower-roman;">
<li class="content clearfix">an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level; or</li>
<li class="content clearfix">contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion; or</li>
<li class="content clearfix">harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants; or</li>
<li class="content clearfix">engulfment;</li>
</ol></li>
</ol>
<div class="content clearfix">but does not include a mine shaft or the workings of a mine.</div>
<div class="content clearfix">The WHSR states in section<strong> 66 Managing risks to health and safety</strong></div>
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li class="content clearfix">A PCBU must, manage risks to health and safety associated with a confined space at a workplace including risks associated with entering, working in, on or in the vicinity of the confined space (including a risk of a person inadvertently entering the confined space).</li>
<li class="content clearfix">A PCBU must ensure that a risk assessment is conducted by a competent person.</li>
<li class="content clearfix">The person must ensure that the risk assessment is recorded in writing.</li>
<li class="content clearfix">The PCBU must have regard to all relevant matters, including—<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li class="content clearfix">whether the work can be carried out without the need to enter the confined space; and</li>
<li class="content clearfix">the nature of the confined space; and</li>
<li class="content clearfix">if the hazard is associated with the concentration of oxygen or the concentration of airborne contaminants in the confined space—any change that may occur in that concentration; and</li>
<li class="content clearfix">the work required to be carried out in the confined space, the range of methods by which the work can be carried out and the proposed method of working; and</li>
<li class="content clearfix">the type of emergency procedures, including rescue procedures, required.</li>
</ol></li>
<li class="content clearfix">The PCBU must ensure that a risk assessment is reviewed and as necessary revised by a competent person to reflect any review and revision of control measures.</li>
</ol>
<p class="content clearfix"><strong>Confined space entry permit</strong></p>
<p class="content clearfix">The PCBU must not direct a worker to enter a confined space to carry out work unless the person has issued a confined space entry permit for the work.</p>
<p class="content clearfix">A confined space entry permit must be in writing and completed by a competent person. It must also state the following;</p>
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-roman;">
<li class="content clearfix">the confined space to which the permit relates;</li>
<li class="content clearfix">the names of persons permitted to enter the space;</li>
<li class="content clearfix">the period of time during which the work in the space will be carried out;</li>
<li class="content clearfix">measures to control risk associated with the proposed work in the space; and</li>
<li class="content clearfix">contain space for an acknowledgement that work in the confined space has been completed and that all persons have left the confined space.</li>
</ol>
<p class="content clearfix">The control measures stated in a confined space permit must be based on a risk assessment and include control measures to be implemented for safe entry and details of the system of work.</p>
<p class="content clearfix">The PCBU must ensure that, when the work for which the entry permit was issued is complete all workers leave the confined space; and the acknowledgement is completed by the competent person.</p>
<div class="content clearfix">
<h3>Purpose</h3>
<p>The overall purpose of the survey is to;</p>
<ol>
<li>Assess compliance with Queensland Work Health and Safety Legislation in particular the due diligence obligations of the PCBU and 'officers'</li>
<li>Verify and validate the implementation and effectiveness of the current WHS Management System with regards to;<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>confined spaces as defined by Queensland Work Health and Safety Legislation and AS2865-2009 Confined Spaces</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Identify 'Opportunities for Improvements"</li>
<li>Report the findings to the PCBU</li>
</ol>
<h2>Scope</h2>
<p>The scope of the audit coveres the following aspects of the businesses operations;</p>
<ol>
<li>Confined Spaces</li>
<li>Restricted Spaces</li>
</ol>
<h2>References</h2>
<p>The following reference criteria were used in the compliance assessment of the WHS Management System;</p>
<ul>
<li>the Queensland Work Health & Safety Act 2011;</li>
<li>the Queensland Work Health & Safety Regulations 2011;</li>
<li>AS/NZS 2865:2009 Confined Spaces</li>
</ul>
<h2>Methodology</h2>
<h3>Approach</h3>
<p>The auditor ensures consistency in approach methodology by following the steps outlined below;</p>
<ol>
<li>pre-start meeting with the business representatives</li>
<li>scope & expectations briefing</li>
<li>Identify & review scope framework documentation</li>
<li>site inspection & interviews with relevant persons.</li>
<li>Completion of the audit guidance tool</li>
<li>Preparation of the Draft Report</li>
<li>Issue 'Draft for Comment' report</li>
<li>Submit report for peer review</li>
<li>Finalise and release report</li>
</ol>
<h3>Survey guidance tool</h3>
<p>An audit guidance tool is developed to measure the compliance of each element in the scope criteria at the time of inspection.</p>
<h2>Deliverables</h2>
<p>The following deliverables are realised at the conclusion of the survey;</p>
<ul>
<li>Preliminary findings presentation (Audit Close out meeting)</li>
<li>Final Report in PDF format.
<ul>
<li><em>A hardcopy of the report can be provided for an additional fee.</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>

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