MADEC Client WHS Assessment - Site Assessment Only - 2024

Title Page

Company name
Location
Type of business
Company representative (name and title)
Conducted on
Prepared by (name and title)

Introduction

Scope

The scope of the Client WHS Assessment is limited to the examination of information sourced, and observations made at the time of the onsite visit. The principal objectives of this report are to:
- Evaluate the host employers' work health and safety documentation to determine an appropriate level of understanding of WHS issues and legislation required to manage WHS risks associated with the operational activities of the business.
- Determine if the host employer provides and implements practical systems and processes for managing WHS risks
- Identify good practices and opportunities for improvement based on operations specific to the business.

Having considered the matters discussed during our visit this WHS report has been finalised to provide an overview of MADEC's observations.

Confidentiality Statement

In order to maintain the integrity and credibility of the risk analysis processes and to protect the parties involved, it is understood that MADEC and its representatives will not divulge to unauthorised persons any information obtained during this WHS Assessment unless legally obliged to do so.

Copyright 2024

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by an information storage or retrieval system, accept as may be permitted, in writing, by MADEC.

Section 4. Site Assessment

Location of the worksite
Date of site assessment
This may include a check of packaging shed and field worksite.

General housekeeping and environment

1. Do MADEC workers have access to adequate amenities and facilities? i.e., access to shade during breaks, somewhere to eat their food away from workplace hazards, food storage, drinking water, toilets, and handwashing facilities during work. TIP: take a photo of the facilities, or explain in the notes what you observed at the time of the visit. NOTE: Where work is carried out in the field, describe in the notes the amenities that are provided, and how workers can easily access these.
Explain how workers in the field have convenient access to amenities and facilities such as chariots or vans equipped with containers of water, portable toilets, and shaded areas for taking work breaks.
2. Is there adequate lighting and ventilation to safely perform the work? TIP: take a photo of the work areas where MADEC workers will be working, or explain in the notes what you observed at the time of the visit.
3. Are floors, stairs, and surfaces designed, installed, and maintained for the tasks being undertaken, and do not present a risk to health and safety? TIP: take a photo of floor surfaces, and stairs, or explain in the notes what was observed at the time of the visit.
4. Are the risks associated with extreme temperatures effectively controlled? Please consider the work tasks performed, the working environment, and the temperature when assessing the controls in place. TIP: take a photo of temperature controls used at the site e.g., chariots for workers to sit under during breaks, industrial fans in packing sheds. Explain these controls in the notes.
5. Are first aid kits available at the workplace, including in work vehicles, and suitably trained first aiders on all shifts (provide details of first aid arrangements)? TIP: take a photo of first aid kits in vehicles and in the workplace, or explain in the notes where kits are located, and the type of kits available e.g. snake bite kits (where there is a risk of snake bite incidents)

Information and Instruction

6. Is signage displayed to indicate the location of the emergency assembly point and first aid kits? TIP: take a photo of the emergency assembly point, and first aid signage.
7. What guidance do you offer to employees regarding hygiene measures in the workplace to prevent infections related to injuries?
8. Where is the nearest medical clinic/facility? TIP: provide the name and location of the nearest medical facility.
9. Are workers provided with information on an Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health support contact details? TIP: take a photo of the EAP or mental health support contact information provided to workers, or explain in the notes how workers are informed of mental health support available to them.
Inform the client that MADEC has resources it can provide for this purpose. These can be accessed by the Account Manager via the intranet.

Section 5. Worksite Hazard Management

Plant + Mobile Plant + Vehicles

1. Will MADEC workers be interacting with plant and machinery in the workplace? TIP: If yes, describe in the notes the type of plant and equipment workers will be interacting with. Examples include forklifts, Elevated Work Platforms (EWP) scissor lifts, trailer or vehicle mounted lifts, cherry pickers, banana bagging machines.
1. a) What safety measures have been implemented to ensure that the equipment is safe for workers to work with and be around? e.g., maintenance routine, pre-start checks, guarding, emergency stop buttons, roll over protection, protective overhead barrier, weight loading displayed. SWP's include information on terrain and speed at which machinery and plant can be operated and considers environmental and operational conditions that may affect use.
1. b) Will MADEC workers be operating any plant or machinery?
1. b) i) Explain how the host ensures MADEC workers are adequately trained and instructed on how to safely operate the plant and machinery. e.g., through practical assessments, maintaining training records, seeking feedback from workers, and observing their performance during tasks.
2. Will MADEC workers be expected to operate equipment that requires a High Risk Work License? i.e., forklift license. If yes, detail in the notes what equipment this is.
2. a) Do existing MADEC workers, who operate equipment requiring a High Risk Work License, hold the appropriate license? TIP: If yes, take a photo of the workers High Risk Work License.
Instruct MADEC worker to immediately cease operating the equipment, and notify the MADEC Chief Operating Officer, and/or the HR Manager.
3. During their time at the workplace, will MADEC workers be exposed to mobile plant, such as forklifts, and other traffic, such as trucks, even when they are taking breaks, accessing toilets, meal rooms, office areas, etc.?
3. a) Is there a documented traffic management plan in place, and various traffic management controls implemented, such as physical bollards, signs, cones, barriers, delineation zones to separate vehicular traffic from work areas, line marking, gates, warning alarms, clear visibility and communication with drivers and speed limits? Are traffic control measures adjusted and updated as necessary to accommodate changing traffic conditions? TIP: take a photo of the traffic management plan document, and traffic management controls used at the site or explain in the notes what you observed at the time.
4. Are quad bikes (including ATVs, RTVs, and UTVs) present at the site where MADEC workers will be operating them? Note: This question pertains specifically to the operation of quad bikes by workers. If MADEC workers are required to operate these vehicles, as specified in the JSA, please proceed with the following safety checks. TIP: Photograph each control and include the images in the media section of the check to confirm their presence.
4. a) State the make and model of the quad bike
Provide a photo of all sides of the quad bike (front, back & both sides).
4. b) Is using a quad bike an inherent job requirement?
4. c) The Account Manager has checked and evaluated the risks of using the quad bike and obtained permission for use?
4. d) Are quad bikes securely stored to avoid unintended access? TIP: take a photo of the quad bikes being safely stored, such as with the keys removed from the ignition and placed in a locked cabinet, or explain in the notes what you observed at the time of the visit.
4. e) Are the quad bike seats and seatbelts present and in good working order? Note: seatbelts prevents you from being ejected from the vehicle.
Provide a photo of the present and working OPD.
4. f) Is the built in Operator Protection Devices (OPD) present and in good working order? Note: OPD prevents you from crush injuries in the event of a roll over.
Provide a photo of the present and working OPD.
4. g) Is the cab nets/doors present and in good working order? Note: cab nets/doors prevents body limbs protruding from the vehicle and being crushed in the event of a rollover.
Provide a photo of the present and working cab nets/doors.
4. h) Are there safe operating instructions provided for the quad bikes? Available and accessible at the worksite
Provide a photo of the quad bike safe operating instructions.
4. i) Are MADEC worker/s responsible for operating/driving a quad bike?
4. j) Who is the nominated MADEC driver/s (include full name as per passport)?
4. k) What evidence or training exists that demonstrates driver competency? Please detail in the comments.
Provide photographic evidence of driver competency records.
4. l) Does the host farm conduct a pre-start check on the quad bikes?
How often is a pre-start check conducted on quad bikes?
DO NOT allow MADEC workers to operate a quad bike until all required controls have been implemented by the client and verified by MADEC and approval obtained from the Director of Labour Hire.
If the site has Side-by-Side Vehicles (SSVs), and MADEC workers are required to operate these vehicles as indicated in the JSA, then proceed with the necessary safety checks below. TIP: Take a photo of each control and add it to the media section of the check, to verify it is present.
5. Are Side-by-Side Vehicles (SSVs) present at the site and operated by MADEC workers? If MADEC workers are required to use these vehicles as specified in the JSA, please proceed with the necessary safety checks listed below. TIP: Take a photo of each control and upload it to the media section of the check to verify its presence.<br>
5. a) State the make and model of the SSV.
Provide a photo of all sides of the SSV (front, back & both sides).
5. b) Are SSV's securely stored to avoid unintended access? <br>TIP: take a photo of the quad bikes being safely stored, such as with the keys removed from the ignition and placed in a locked cabinet, or explain in the notes what you observed at the time of the visit.
5. c) Are the SSV seats and seatbelts present and in good working order? Note: seatbelts prevents you from being ejected from the vehicle.
Provide a photo of the present and working seats and seatbelts of the SSV.
5. d) Is the built in Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS) present and in good working order? Note: ROPS prevents you from crush injuries in the event of a roll over.
Provide a photo of the present and working ROPS.
5. e) Is the cab nets/doors present and in good working order? Note: cab nets/doors prevents body limbs protruding from the vehicle and being crushed in the event of a rollover.
Provide a photo of the present and working cab nets/doors.
5. f) Are there safe operating instructions provided for the SSVs? Available and accessible at the worksite
Provide a photo of the SSV safe operating instructions.
5. g) Has the worker been educated on passenger safety when in an SSV as a passenger?
5. h) Are MADEC worker/s responsible for operating/driving an SSV?
Who is the nominated MADEC driver/s (include full name as per passport)?
5. i) What evidence or training exists that demonstrates driver competency? Please detail in the comments.
Provide photographic evidence of driver competency records.
5. j) Are MADEC workers passengers on SSVs?
5. k) Does the host farm conduct a pre-start check on the SSVs?
5. l) How often is a pre-start check conducted on SSVs?
DO NOT allow MADEC workers to operate the vehicle until all required controls have been implemented by the client and verified by MADEC.

Manual Tasks

6. What measures have you implemented to minimise the risks associated with manual tasks? e.g., work area design and layout, availability of mechanical aides, adherence to weight limits, ensuring comfortable working surface heights, job rotation, and introducing variety to reduce repetition and static postures. TIP: take a photo of any aides used to control the risk, or explain in the notes what you observed at the time of the visit.

Tools, Equipment + Knives

7. What specific guidelines do you give to workers regarding the secure storage of knives and sharp objects when they are not being used?

Hazardous Chemicals

8. Will any MADEC workers be exposed to hazardous chemicals while at work? Tip: Consider all hazardous chemicals that are used at the workplace, that could be applied to products or materials that workers are exposed to.
8. a) Do you maintain a register of all hazardous chemicals and are Safety Data Sheets available for hazardous chemicals workers are exposed to? TIP: take a photo of the hazardous chemicals register, and a sample of Safety Data Sheets, or explain in the notes where the register and Safety Data Sheets are located, and if they are accessible to workers.
8. b) Do you have an eye wash shower and is it easily accessible to workers who may be exposed to chemical burns? TIP: take a photo of the location of the eye wash shower, or explain in the notes where this is located.

Working at Heights

9. Will any MADEC workers be required to work at heights where there is a risk of fall?
9. a) Are specific control measures are in place to manage the risks associated with falls? i.e., temporary work platforms, guardrails, fall arrest systems, etc. TIP: take a photo of the work areas where workers will need to work at heights, and the controls in place to prevent falls e.g., guardrails, or explain in the notes what you observed at the time of the visit.

Banana Bagging Machines (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms)

This section is specific to banana farms.
9. b) Are Banana Bagging Machines (mobile elevated work platforms) fitted with a fall restraint system? For example positioning belt with one or two tethers that can be connected to a certified anchor point on the bagging machine. TIP: take a photo of the bagging machine and fall restraint system to prevent falls, or explain in the notes section what you observed at the time of the visit.
9. c) Is there a Safe Work Procedure for use of the banana bagging machine?
9. d) Explain how the host ensures MADEC workers are adequately trained and instructed on how to safely operate the banana bagging machines. e.g., through practical assessments, maintaining training records, seeking feedback from workers, and observing their performance during tasks.

Confined Space

10. Will any MADEC workers be required to work in confined spaces? Note: A confined space in refers to an enclosed or partially enclosed space not primarily for human occupancy, at atmospheric pressure, that poses risks due to harmful airborne contaminants, unsafe oxygen levels, or engulfment. These typically include pits, silos, vats, pipes, and tanks.
10. a) Are confined space entry permits required for entry? TIP: take a photo of the confined space risk controls e.g., confined space entry permit, atmospheric monitoring equipment, training records, or explain in the notes what you observed at the time of the visit.
10. b) Do MADEC workers need to complete confined space training before they are allowed to perform such work?

Electrical + Powerlines

11. What electrical equipment and appliances will MADEC workers interact with in the workplace?
11. a) Does electrical equipment appear to be in good condition? TIP: take a photo of the electrical equipment and leads in the working areas where workers will be performing tasks, as well as a picture of the tag indicating the date of the last test and the date of the next scheduled test, or explain in the notes what you observed at the time of the visit.
12. Are there any overhead powerlines that MADEC workers may be exposed to anywhere on the property, posing potential risks?
12. a) Is there a process in place to ensure a safe distance from powerlines is maintained (i.e. exclusion zones, markers on powerlines, site map of powerlines)? TIP: take a photo of the powerline site map and the risk controls in place to prevent contact with powerlines, or explain in the notes what you observed at the time of the visit.

Falling Objects

13. Is there a risk of objects falling from height and injuring a MADEC worker?
13. a) Are loads secured to prevent them from falling from one level to another e.g., isolation/no-go zones, fall prevention, fall arrest systems, PPE, signage? TIP: take a photo of objects stored at height that could potentially fall on a worker, and the risk controls in place to prevent the fall e.g., secure racking systems, netting, restraining bars, or explain in the notes what you observed at the time of the visit.

Validation of Risk Control Measures

Has the Client WHS Assessment identified adequate risk controls for all hazards identified in the JSA?
- Yes, the Client WHS Assessment has validated the risk controls for all hazards deemed relevant to the job in the JSA
- No, the Client WHS Assessment has not yet validated the risk controls for all hazards deemed relevant to the job in the JSA
Escalate to the Regional Manager for discussion with the WHS Consultant, HR Manager and/or Director Labour Hire.
Has a review date been noted for verification of Quad Bike Induction Training and/or SSV Induction Training? Note: the checklist is to be completed once workers commence onsite.
Review date for Quad Bike and/or SSV Induction Training.
Has the review date for Quad Bike and/or SSV Induction Training been noted in your email calendar.
Refer to MADEC Quad Bike Induction Training and Side by Side Vehicle (SSV) Induction Training checklists for validation of risk control measures.
Schedule the review date on your email calendar. If you need assistance, please ask a MADEC team member.

Next Review

Next review date Note: the review date is 6 months from the date the site assessment was completed.
Has the review been set as a reminder in the email calendar?
Schedule the review date on your email calendar. If you need assistance, please ask a MADEC team member.