Articles
Articles
A Fantastic Decision
Western Australian District Court Judge Troy Sweeney has confirmed the importance of clearly delineating the work of contractors and coordination of that work by a Principal Contractor and confirms that a Principal Contractor is not responsible for directing the methods of work of those contractors. The case is very very long but very very good
FM Association Conference
To all my facilities management colleagues I am presenting at the FM Association Conference. Hope to see you there. Click here for more information Sue
Be Warned – Meddle at Your Peril
In a recent case, two employers, a Principal Contractor and a Contractor, were fined after a worker was killed when operating a pile driver. Why was the Principal Contractor prosecuted and fined I ask? As usual, the Principal Contractor got themselves involved in the work methods of the contractor When pile driving the contractor’s worker
A Little Bit of Clarity Covid 19 Vaccination – Is It Really A Mandate?
I was helping a client out today explaining the health directives requiring covid 19 vaccinations to attend work and thought I would share it. To confirm no State in Australia has legislated to mandate covid 19 vaccinations (or in fact any vaccination) i.e. if you are working from home and have no contact with others
I Think We Broke the Internet!!
Spots to attend a webinar held by LinkSafe online contractor management system featuring moi.. “sold” out in 30 minutes. We are organising some more, so stay tuned…
Happy Friday
“The contention that a Principal Contractor is responsible for the methods of work employed by an independent contractor, including their management of safety in respect of that work is one of the greatest health and safety myths of all time. Sue Bottrell Lawyer/ Chartered OHS Professional
A Risk Management Approach to Reducing Psychological Harm In the Workplace is it Really New?
I was recently asked to comment on the proposed regulation of the management of psychological harm in HROnline. See the article below. Enjoy! Worker’s comp claim could open the floodgates for remote staff to claim psychological injury – HRM online
MT Sheds – A Tragedy and Warning of What’s To Come….
Please see my comments regarding the tragedy that is MT Sheds, following the sentencing of the owner and Director yesterday. Employer receives jail time for workplace death – HRM online
Gran Designs – Failure to Prepare SWMS – Was That Really the Problem?
In sentencing a company that caused the death of a worker when a precast panel fell on him, the Judge was particularly scathing of the failure of the Principal Contractor to prepare and implement an adequate SWMS. The Judge observed that “A safe work method statement had been compiled, but it was not taken to
Contractor Safety Management on Hazardous Sites
In a fantastic workshop yesterday in Melbourne, there was a great discussion about contractor safety at hazardous worksites. In line with case law, Principal Contractors at hazardous work sites are entitled to rely upon contractors to manage risks arising from their work, BUT must take greater care to confirm that contractors are aware of site
Contractor Safety Management – The Pendulum Swings…
Now that we are all in agreement that contractors are responsible for managing their own safety, and Principle Contractors are not responsible for directing and supervising contractors work, and in fact doing so may increase the liability of a PC in the event of an incident, I am being asked: “If I see a contractor
A Weekend Teaser – Are Safety Management Systems Dead?
o many times we see “safety” activity done in the name of maintaining accreditation to a safety management system. The “System” is the end not the tool anymore. Clients tell me “but we need to do it for our auditor”. The tail wagging the dog I think. Ask yourself how much of your “system” ends
Read The Label
I am very very very concerned at the false advertising of events being held by so called safety and risk management specialists. I recently looked at a session being held by an online safety management company. The speaker is a “risk management specialist”. When I looked at his qualifications and experience, his entire career was
SWMS – A Nice Template
I am just preparing a workshop looking at the preparation of Safe Work Method Statements and have come across a template from SafeWork NSW and it is very nice. It directs the focus to high risk construction work, identifying the risks arising from the HRCW, and succinctly recording what you intend to do about it.
Contractor Management in the Gig Economy
Uber has announced changes to its contract with Food Delivery Riders (FDR), to ensure that FDR’s are clearly independent contractors, and responsible for managing their own health and safety. While we might be concerned at exploitation of FDR’s (yes we have all seen them puffing away in the pouring rain), the law supports Uber’s position.
See you in 2021
At the end of a complex year take sometime. we are fortunate to have full professional lives with many challenges which is why we love it but stop, simplify and breathe. I plan to rock on my cabin verandah with my dog and not think about contractors for at least an hour.. See you in
McConnell Dowell Constructors Here is the Problem.
NSW District Court Judge Russell has held that 1 – a Principal Contractor does not owe an obligation to direct a contractor in how it is to undertake its work, where it does not have the requisite skills or knowledge but 2 – it does have such a duty where it has knowledge of the
The Model Code of Practice: Construction Work. Monitoring Contractor SWMS. What Does It Really Mean?
The Model CoP states that a Principal Contractor must “monitor” a contractors SWMS. When considered in the context of the legal position adopted over the last 100 years by the High Court and all Australian superior Courts it cannot mean that a PC is responsible for monitoring implementation or compliance of contractors with their own
SafeWork NSW v J & CG Constructions Pty Limited – [2020] NSWDC 614 A Good Clarification of PC Duties for Site Risks but Not Quite Right on SWMS.
A Judge has confirmed that a Principle Contractor has obligations to manage the risk of falls from heights when a formworker fell 6 metres from a second floor, due to a void in scaffolding. The Judge observed that it is often the case that a sub-contractor is found to be more culpable than a principal
Hotel Security Debacle – The Pain of Prequalification Without Any Benefit
A security firm engaged as part of the hotel quarantine program was prequalified by CM3, an extensive and complex online contractor prequalification program which requests extensive evidence of safety management, usually through supply of documentation in an attempt to confirm on the ground safety management. The quarantine outbreak calls into question the benefit of putting