Master Builders WA is taking a pro-active approach to improve construction industry safety standards.
WA’s leading building and construction industry stakeholder recently launched interactive safety training courses to help workers in the residential and commercial sectors identify and avoid potential safety hazards on site.
Master Builders Construction Director Kim Richardson said the courses couldn’t have been launched at a better time.
”The WA Labor Government’s inquiry into Worksafe likely foreshadows its moves to amend the OSH laws increasing employer safety obligations in line with developments in other states increasing employer penalties for breaches of safety laws,” Mr Richardson said.
“Master Builders is ramping up safety training to meet these new challenges on a pro-active basis.”
Master Builders commissioned Dr Susanne Bahn, of Tap Into Safety, to help create the interactive safety courses which will be deliverable on mobile devices.
“The course content has been modelled on a gamification approach to teach important safety messages in engaging and memorable ways,” Mr Richardson said.
“Its delivery is highly relevant and engaging, unlike the “teacher tell” abstract classroom approach which does not connect well with many construction workers. Being able to learn via a mobile device also reduces lost time spent travelling to training centres.”
The first courses will focus on preventing falls from height and working safely at height.
Mr Richardson said, preventing falls from height and slips/trips was imperative. Tragically, there have been 31 WA worker fatalities as a result of work-related falls in the past 10 years.
“The problem is even more alarming when you factor in the number of people who sustain permanent, life-altering injuries into this equation,” Mr Richardson said.
“A major focus will be the fact that safety harnesses are ineffectual below 3m. There needs to be a situational awareness about what working at height means when you consider that Safe Work Australia data showed that out of the 242 fall fatalities across all industries nationally from 2006-16, 102 were caused from falls below 3m, of which 11 were below 1m.”
Phone Master Builders on 9476 9800 for more information.
