AD - Personal Protection Audit

Information

1.0 Has Contractor identified workers' personal protection needs for these particular works?

1.1 Has the Contractor implemented a long / long protective clothing policy on-site in accordance with Gippsland Water’s Sun Smart Policy?
1.2 Has the Contractor reviewed the various types of work, the plant, equipment and chemicals used and the locations where work takes place, when he considered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needs?
1.3 Has the Contractor reached agreement with the Gippsland Water Project Officer on what PPE is mandatory on the site?
1.4 Has the contractor established a proper process to minimise risks and identify PPE needs?
1.5 The Contractor needs to properly control risk and to eliminate any source of danger to workers' health or safety.
1.6 Has the Contractor properly understood safe work procedures and the right combination of personal protective equipment (PPE) to fully safeguard workers where controls do not fully control the risk?
1.7 The best way to control risk is to isolate the source of danger from people or to use physical guarding to prevent people coming into contact with the danger.

2.0 Has Contractor posted the necessary personal protection signs?

2.1 Has the Contractor declared the entire site a safety helmet, safety vest or protective footwear area?
2.2 Safety signs for these PPE should be prominently displayed at entrances to the works area
2.3 Has the Contractor signposted/identified any particular areas or activities where workers will need hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves or breathing masks. If signs not erected, detail how employees are made aware of requirements
2.4 Has the Contractor erected signs and notices in amenities / sheds to remind workers of what types of PPE are needed for various types of work? List any signs posters identified, or improvements agreed to.

3.0 Has Contractor made sure the right PPE has been provided?

3.1 Is new PPE readily available at the site to existing and new employees?
3.2 It is the Contractors responsibility to ensure he makes available to workers the right equipment if using PPE as a way of controlling risks.
3.3 How does the Contractor control purchases of equipment to ensure they comply with the appropriate Australian Standards and all necessary information on the correct fitting, cleaning and maintenance of the equipment? Is this adequate? Please comment. Is this information available to staff?
3.4 Does the Contractor allow his workers the choice to select the particular model/item giving them reasonable personal comfort?
3.5 Comfortable PPE is more likely to get worn, while "one size fits all” may not encourage day long usage.

4.0 Do contract workers understand why they need PPE?

4.1 Do the Contractors workers know the consequences to their health and safety if they do not use the right PPE?
4.2 How are the workers informed of these consequences? Is this adequate?
4.3 Employees who properly understand what can go wrong are more likely to use PPE without being constantly told. Consider use of posters / Toolbox meetings / Health & Safety meetings, etc.

5.0 Are workers trained in the use of PPE?

5.1 Confirm the Contractor has properly instructed / trained employees in the correct procedures and that employees can demonstrate them correctly. Confirmed? Comment if not.
5.2 Some types of PPE have particular, fitting, testing, cleaning and inspecting requirements.
5.3 Does Contractor have records of this training?

6.0 Is PPE use being adequately monitored by Contractor?

6.1 Does the Contractor’s have a system of regular checks on the condition of PPE equipment? Is it adequate?
6.2 How is the Contractor insisting that the rules for PPE are always followed by his employees and subcontractors?
6.2.1 Pass or fail on previous question?
6.3 What evidence is there that the Contractor takes appropriate action and regular monitoring to make wearing of PPE a routine feature of the work site?
6.3.1 Pass or fail on previous question?
6.4 PPE is only beneficial when properly used. If workers are reluctant to properly use PPE, how does the Contractor intend to improve compliance? Is this adequate?
6.5 Does the Contractor work with employees to develop a better work method so that PPE usage is eliminated or minimised, while controlling the risk?

7.0 Is Contractor inspecting PPE and replacing as necessary?

7.1 Has the Contractor established a program to regularly inspect PPE for serviceability and compatibility?
7.2 Faulty PPE can give the worker a false sense of security and incompatible components in safety harness systems can result in a worker falling to their death.
7.3 Has PPE brought from other sites been checked within the routine schedule?
7.4 Has the equipment been checked to see if they are still within use by date?
7.5 How often do Employees inspect their own PPE for serviceability?
7.6 How do Employees report worn, unserviceable PPE?
7.7 What system is there in place for Employees to easily and quickly order replacement PPE?
7.8 For the three above questions, are the systems in place adequate? Comment on any improvements needed.

8.0 Does Contractor regularly review his PPE needs?

8.1 New and improved PPE products are regularly being introduced.
8.2 Does the Contractor have a method to keep work practices up to date?
8.3 Is the Contractor currently investigating any particular new type of PPE for use on this particular work, to minimise specific risks that may have been identified recently by staff or employees?
8.4 New products come on to the market which may provide the Contractor with a way of controlling risks without the need for PPE
8.5 Has the risk assessment that resulted in the need for the currently used PPE, been reviewed?<br> New products may have become available over the last year or so.

Additional comments

Action Required

Contractor is to review the comments, and consider the recommended actions within this audit. The contractor needs to demonstrate they are complying with their obligations as an employer, what specific remedial action they propose for this site, and if any overall modifications are required to their Health and Safety Plan / safety procedures / supervision. Prompt corrective action is required to eliminate any agreed deficiencies, and any areas of disagreement need to be further explored in writing. All “failed responses” need to be addressed/resolved.

Signatures