Hazard Risk Control Reference Source and Guide

For use in completing or checking safety plans

Construction

Office of Facility Management

These examples are provided as a guide only when considering safety controls for Safe Work Method Statements and
Project Safety Plans. It is critical that local site-specific factors are considered. Please check provided references or
sources for latest legal requirements.
This guide does not include all possible hazards/ risks.

Construction Hazards / Risks

Possible causes / scenario
Authority Sources / References/
1. Traffic hazards

1.1 Trucks entering, exiting or reversing

from a work site

 Qld WH&S Act

 Concrete Pumping Plant
Advisory Standard
 Road Use Management Act &
Regs
 Dept of Main Roads

Some practical control measures

1.2 Working in close proximity to roads

2. Contact or generation of
Heat / Ignition sources

2.1 Hot materials / work eg: welding

spatter, grinding sparks in flammable
environment

 Electrical Safety Act & Regs

 Electrical Safety Office Qld
 Welding Technology Institute
of Aust [WTIA] Tech note # 7 2.2 Fire in the workplace
- Welding Safety
 Aust Standards fire
prevention
 GU Design Guidelines
 GU Property Insurance
Conditions
 University Fire Officer
2.3 Exposure to sun
 Qld Health Dept
 WH&S Qld
 Aust Radiation Protection and
Nuclear Safety Regulation
3. Contact with electricity

Low voltage
3.1 Electric leads and power tools

 Electrical Safety Act & Regs &

Codes of Practice
 Electrical Safety Office Qld
 Welding Technology Institute
of Aust [WTIA] Tech note # 7 3.2 Electric leads on ground
- Welding Safety
 AS 3000 Electrical Wiring
3.3 Electrical leads in damp areas or
 AS 3012 Construction /
wet environments
demolition sites
F6583 Project Hazard Control Guideline.doc

Rev 1.06

Update web version if changes made to original version

Safe work procedures

Exclusion / work zones established
Use of traffic signal people
Traffic spotters within work zones
Installation of temporary traffic
signals
Use of safety signs
Speed restriction signs displayed
and enforced
Audible alarms & flashing lights for
reversing vehicles
Use of witches hats or temporary
barriers to cordon off sections of road
Total closure of road
Use of safety signs, high visibility
vests
Speed restriction signs displayed
and enforced
Provide appropriate PPE and training
Keep workplace clear of waste or
flammable materials
Use of fireproof blankets or other fire
suppression methods or equipment
Prescribed Work at GU - Hot Work
Permit for non normal welding or
grinding activities
Remove flammable materials or
store correctly
Provide adequate fire fighting
equipment
Worker fire fighting training
Eliminate ignition sources from
flammable atmospheres
Provide shade structures
Provide protective clothing and
sunscreen
Reduce exposure time during middle
of the day
Tools and leads inspected and
tagged
Use of portable RCDs
RCDs wired into construction site
wiring
Residual current devices tested as
per legislation.
Electrical leads kept elevated and
clear of work areas or protected from
damage by vehicles or pedestrian
traffic
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Hazard Risk Control Reference Source and Guide

For use in completing or checking safety plans

Construction

Office of Facility Management

Construction Hazards / Risks

Possible causes / scenario
Authority Sources / References/
 Various other AS
 GU Electrical Engineer
3.4 Electric leads tied to metal rails
High or low voltage
3.5 Electrical Plant live work [non
isolated]
3.6 Contact with underground or
overhead cables

Some practical control measures

4. Noise generation of and

exposure to excessive
noise
 WH&S Reg- Noise

4.1 Noisy Plant and equipment

4.2 Personal hearing protection

 Advisory Standard Noise

4.3 Excessive noise in teaching, study

areas

5.1 Burst air lines

5.2 Hoses becoming uncoupled

5.3 Using compressed air to clean

clothing risk of forced injection
of foreign matter into body

 Environmental Protection Act

All electric leads kept dry

All electric leads kept insulated
Avoid live work situations
Ensure Electrical Risk Assessment
requirement completed for live work
Lock-out and equipment tag
procedures
Location of services to be
established with OFM
Ensure Permission to work obtained
i.e. to dig or work near high voltage
lines
Overhead cables to be protected
High voltage overhead lines
contact Electrical authority tiger tail
protection
Services to be isolated when working
in proximity
Establish safe clearance distances
Personal Protective Equipment as
specified by Elect. Safety legislation
Fit noise suppression to noisy plant
and equipment
All personnel to wear appropriate
PPE (eg hearing protectors)
Regulate noise generation times or
periods to before or after class

& Regs
5. High pressure cylinders or
hose lines, abrasive
blasting
 Abrasive Blasting Code of
Practice
 Advisory standard Plant
 AS 2030 Gas cylinders

5.4 Improper handling of gas cylinders

 AS other various
 WH&S Qld

5.5 Defective pressure gauges

6. Contact with chemicals or

other substances

6.1 Incorrect handling or disposal of

chemicals on site

 Dangerous Goods Safety

F6583 Project Hazard Control Guideline.doc

6.2 Lack of information

6.3 Not wearing appropriate PPE

Management Act & Regs

 Dept of Emergency Services

 Hazardous Substances Regs

and Advisory Standard

6.4 Incorrect storage

Rev 1.06

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Air hoses in good condition and

regularly inspected
All hose couplings fitted with pins or
chains
Prohibit and instruct contractors on
dangers
Cylinders moved, stored upright and
secured
All pressure gauges inspected
regularly for defects
All contractors trained in Haz subs /
Dangerous Goods & Environmental
legal requirements
MSDS reviewed as part of risk
assessment and available for
inspection
All contractor personnel provided
with appropriate PPE and its use
enforced gloves, respirators
suitable to substance, protective
clothing, face shields etc
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Hazard Risk Control Reference Source and Guide

For use in completing or checking safety plans

Construction

Office of Facility Management

Construction Hazards / Risks

Possible causes / scenario
Authority Sources / References/

 WH&S Qld
 Environmental Protection Act
& Regs

Some practical control measures

6.5 Excessive generation or exposure

to airborne substances dusts,
fumes, mists, vapours etc

Safe work methods for use, storage

and disposal followed
Hazardous substances & dangerous
goods stored and labelled correctly
Provide mechanical or other types of
ventilation of extraction where
necessary
Provision of spill kits or equipment to
contain accidental spill and workers
trained
Welding operations shielded from
other persons or general public
All personnel to wear appropriate
PPE
Correct procedures developed and
followed
Regular equipment check
Follow documented safe work
procedures for laser
Protruding objects are removed or
marked or protected eg: end capping
on concrete foundation reinforced
steel
Provide appropriate PPE (eg hard
hat, safety boots, clothing
appropriate)and training
Site rules
All work platforms, scaffolds fitted
with toe-boards
Barricade off areas below to prevent
access including footpaths if
necessary
Secure construction site fencing &
hoarding to prevent access to work
zones
Signage situated appropriately
Materials stacked securely , use of
tool lanyards
All personnel wear appropriate PPE
(eg hard hats, harnesses as
necessary)
Secure loose objects to structure
Personnel wear appropriate PPE
Shield grinding operations

All personnel wear appropriate PPE

Loads not slung over personnel

Taglines are used to prevent loads
swinging
Loads slung correctly
SWL loading followed

7.1 Exposure to arc welding

7. Contact or generation of
radiation hazards
 Welding Technology Institute 7.2 Not wearing appropriate PPE
of Aust [WTIA] Tech note # 7
7.3 Exposure during radiography
- Welding Safety
operations
 Radiation Safety Act & Regs

7.4 Exposure to or generation of lasers

8. Falling or stationery objects

8.1 Protruding objects in access routes

 WH&S Regs
 Advisory standards Falling
Objects

8.2 Not wearing appropriate PPE

8.3 Objects falling from work platforms,

scaffolds, ladders or mobile
scaffolding

8.4 Debris from grinding operations

8.5 Wind blown particles

8.6 Loads slung or lifted by /from

cranes or hoists, other load
shifting equipment

F6583 Project Hazard Control Guideline.doc

Rev 1.06

Update web version if changes made to original version

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Hazard Risk Control Reference Source and Guide

For use in completing or checking safety plans

Construction

Office of Facility Management

Construction Hazards / Risks

Possible causes / scenario
Authority Sources / References/
9. Persons Fall from height

9.1 No handrails on work platforms or

levels

 WH&S Regs for Working at

Heights ladders, scaffolding, 9.2 Working outside handrails
use of harnesses, Prescribed
Occupations
9.3 Floor penetrations not covered
9.4 Ladders not secured

9.5 Unsafe areas eg brittle roof areas,

scaffolding, demolition

Some practical control measures

10. Slips and trips

WH&S regs housekeeping
A Standards surfaces etc

11. Caught between, crushed

10.1 Access routes obstructed by

materials
10.2 Leads and hoses across access
routes
10.3 Slippery surfaces
10.4 Safety footwear not appropriate

10.5 Poor visibility

11.1 Operating plant

 WH&S Regs
11 2Moving plant or reversing vehicles
 Advisory standard Plant
Concrete pumping
supplement
 Road Use Management Act &
Regs
 Dept of Main Roads
11.3 Moving loads or materials being
positioned

11.4 Loads tipping or swinging

F6583 Project Hazard Control Guideline.doc

Rev 1.06

Update web version if changes made to original version

All work platforms to have secure

handrails
Persons to wear full fall arrest type
harness and secured attached to
anchorage points or static lines
All floor penetrations covered or
barricaded
All ladders secured to prevent
movement
Ladders to extend at least 1m above
landings, correct angles
Sign and fence to prevent access
Scaffold erectors hold prescribed
occupations certification
Prescribed work at GU - Roof or
Height Access Permit required.
All access routes kept clear of
materials and debris
All leads kept clear of ground or
covered
All surfaces used for access kept dry
and in good condition
Personnel wear appropriate safety
footwear steel cap boots on
construction sites
Provide adequate site lighting
Guarding of rotating plant and hand
tools
Safe work procedures to be
followed
Pre-start daily safety inspection
Personnel kept clear when operating
mobile plant
Provide roll-over cage protection
[ROPS]
Fit reverse alarms to plant and check
operation
All personnel kept clear during crane
operations or loading movements
Safe work procedures for moving
heavy loads
Load slings properly secured
Use of communication systems
between crane operators and
doggers
Prescribed certificates held by
riggers, doggers & crane operators or
other specified load shifting or earth
moving vehicles,

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Hazard Risk Control Reference Source and Guide

For use in completing or checking safety plans

Construction

Office of Facility Management

Construction Hazards / Risks

Possible causes / scenario
Authority Sources / References/
12. Overstress, collapse
 AS various eg: cranes,
scaffolding, ladders,
 WH&S Regs
o

Scaffolding, ladders,

12.1 Safe working load (SWL)

exceeded during lifting
operations
12.2 Collapse of booms, scaffolding or
other temporary structural or
load bearing components
12.3 Subsidence of base supports
leading to collapse

Prescribed occupations,
o

Registered plant

Specified High Risk Plant

13. Ergonomic / manual tasks

hazards

Some practical control measures

13.1 Poor work posture

13.2 Use of excessive force

 Manual Task Advisory
Standards
 Manual Handling in the
Building industry
 PDC Design Guideline
 Manual handling

13.3 Repetitive movements

13.4 Use of heavy hand-held tools, eg
grass slasher
13.5 Handling of heavy objects

14. Asbestos & Other Synthetic 14.1 Accidental disturbance or contact

Mineral Fibre hazards

 OFM Asbestos Register

 WH&S Advisory standards
o Work on Roofs
14.2 Removal of asbestos material
o Asbestos Removals
o AC Sheeting
 Code of practice Glass
wool and Rockwool
 WH&S Regs - asbestos
15.1 Needlestick injury
15. Biological hazards

 First aid advisory standard

 Advisory standard for plant

Supplement Legionella
15.2 Potential exposure to HIV,
Control for cooling towers
hepatitis
and air conditioning

15.3 Potential exposure to Legionella

bacteria

F6583 Project Hazard Control Guideline.doc

Rev 1.06

Update web version if changes made to original version

Compliance with SWL and radius

charts on cranes
All lifting gear checked regularly
Regular maintenance,
Regular testing of structural integrity
of load bearing components
Correct siting and support for base
plates or foundation supports
Competency of operators

Combination of any :
Work environments conform with
ergonomic standards
Training of employees in manual
handling techniques
Provide adequate task lighting
Provide mechanical aids drum
lifters, trolleys etc
Modify task requirements
Job rotation, task variation
Imposed restrictions on certain
activities
Requirements for two-person lifts
Training of employees
Asbestos materials identified off GU
Asbestos register
Asbestos materials removed from
workplace & disposed of
appropriately
Safe work and handling procedures
developed
Prescribed Activity company licence
required by WH & S Qld.
Provide appropriate waste disposal
containers
Provide contractor employees with
PPE
Develop safe work procedures and
train staff
Develop safe work procedures and
train staff
Immunisation program
Provide employees with PPE
Implement microbial control
procedures

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Hazard Risk Control Reference Source and Guide

For use in completing or checking safety plans

Construction

Office of Facility Management

Construction Hazards / Risks

Possible causes / scenario
Authority Sources / References/

Some practical control measures

16. Excavation/trenching

16.1 Collapse of earth

 WH&S Regs
 Engineering standards

16.2 Fall into excavation

Shoring to be provided in
accordance with recognised
regulations and inspected regularly

Provide barricades around

excavation

16.3 Asphyxiation

Provide exhaust ventilation and test

atmosphere

Provide safe access by steps or

ladders

Prescribed Work at GU Trenching

/Excavation Permit from competent
person.

Cranes to be set up on solid ground

and away from edge of excavation

Mobile plant to be fitted with roll-over

cage protection ROPS
Safe work procedures developed

16.4 Inadequate access to excavation

17. Plant or vehicle overturn

WHS Regulations
Advisory standard for plant

17.1 Crane overturn

17.2 Mobile plant overturn eg tractors,

bobcats
18. Confined spaces

WH&S Regs
AS/NZ standard

18.1 Entering tunnels, hoppers, vats,

tanks, pits to inspect or test,
work or clean
18.2 Maintenance of spaces eg
removing blockages,

F6583 Project Hazard Control Guideline.doc

Rev 1.06

Update web version if changes made to original version

All personnel involved trained to

appropriate level
Prescribed Work at GU Confined
Spaces Entry permit issued by
competent person.
Hazards identified in confined space
Atmospheres tested where
appropriate before entry and during
occupation
Observers appointed
Communication systems
Hot work in situ covered by separate
work permit
Isolations/ lockouts & tags applied
Exit signed out

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