Recent News
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2009
FSC Online now available - 1 July 2009
The Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC) has released a new webpage for applying for accreditation to the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme.
In releasing this page the FSC noted that it provided a ‘one-stop-shop’ to apply for accreditation or reaccreditation.
From this webpage, applicants can now either complete an online submission through FSC online, or download a blank application form that can be emailed or posted to the OFSC.
Other tools to assist with the accreditation and reaccreditation process include:
- an Application and Evidence Checklist (this helps ensure all steps in the accreditation process including providing sufficient documentary evidence have been completed)
- a FSC Online User Guide with step by step instructions to help applicants through the online process
- ‘Information for Applicants’ provides a summary 3 page overview on the desktop assessment and accreditation audit process
- examples of acceptable documentary evidence are also incorporated into the blank application form and the User Guide for additional guidance; and
- technical support is also available through the FSC Assist Line.
For this documentation and more information on the Scheme see the Apply for Accreditation webpage or contact the FSC Assist Line on 1800 652 500.
OFSC targets Mobile Plant and Equipment - 16 June 2009
Mobile Plant and Equipment remains one of the greatest causes of injury in the Australian building and construction industry.
As part of the ‘reaccreditation’ process, the OFSC will be taking the opportunity to target Mobile Plant and Equipment as the Hazard to be reviewed during reaccreditation audits. A factsheet ‘Reaccreditation Targeted Hazard – Mobile Plant and Equipment’ has just been released explaining the process.
Information and findings from the audits will be used to assist builders to improve management of mobile plant and equipment.
For more information please see the factsheet or contact the FSC Assist Line on 1800 652 500.
Changes to the OHS Accreditation Scheme
From 19 May 2009, some building works funded under the Nation Building and Jobs Plan will not require the application of the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme).
For the economic stimulus measures to have the desired effect on the economy, it is essential that the stimulus to be provided from the Nation Building Jobs Plan, flow quickly into areas of need. For this reason alone the Government has decided to not require the application of the Scheme to certain projects funded under the Nation Building and Jobs Plan.
The Scheme will continue to apply to Australian Government funded building work outside of the Nation Building and Jobs Plan, subject to Scheme thresholds.
For more information please see the factsheet or contact the FSC Assist Line on 1800 652 500.
Understanding auditing: new fact sheets available – 18 May 2009
Auditing is a compulsory condition of becoming and staying accredited under the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme. It’s therefore important that companies know where they stand when it comes to auditing.
That’s why the Federal Safety Commissioner has released a new set of fact sheets dedicated to the auditing process – these fact sheets explain how audits are conducted, who conducts them and what companies can do if they have any concerns about the auditing process.
The Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner’s qualified contracted auditors – known as Federal Safety Officers or FSOs – are dedicated to meeting the high standards set through accreditation. These high standards are essential in order to ensure the safety of workers and their families.
Both the OFSC and FSOs are committed to working with companies in a genuine spirit of transparency, collaboration and cooperation. If you have any concerns or questions about the auditing process you can contact the OFSC’s Auditing Team through the FSC Assist Line on 1800 652 500.
Alcohol and Other Drugs Forum a Success - 22 April 2009
The Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner (OFSC) facilitated a successful Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Forum in Melbourne on 8 April 2009, with over 100 people attending the booked out event.
People attending the forum included industry OHS managers, workplace safety regulators and representatives from unions and industry associations.
The AOD Forum was part of the OFSC’s ongoing commitment to improving OHS in the building and construction industry. It provided an opportunity for participants to hear from a broad range of speakers, covering both academic perspectives and practical experiences.
The event was also a valuable networking platform, allowing participants to share their views and highlight the key AOD issues impacting on their workplace. Feedback on the forum has been of a very positive nature.
The OFSC is preparing an issues paper which will summarise the main themes raised during the day. The issues paper and all forum presentations will be made available on this site in the near future.
Picture: Helen Marshall at the Alcohol and Other Drugs Forum on 8 April
Get ‘Reaccredited’ - 25 March 2009
OHS accredited companies will soon have the opportunity to get ‘reaccredited’.
‘Reaccreditation’ is an essential step for companies wanting to retain their accreditation under the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme) past their current accreditation expiry date.
To allow companies to get in early, the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner (OFSC) will soon release details on how to apply.
The reaccreditation process will involve submitting an application to the OFSC. Applications will be subject to a desktop assessment and an on-site audit.
Accreditation under the Scheme lasts for up to three years, with the first accreditations due to expire at the end of 2009. Accredited companies should apply well in advance of their current expiry dates.
More information for both accredited companies and government agencies will be available on this site in the coming months.
Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Forum - Melbourne - 8 April 2009
Helen Marshall, the Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC), has announced details of an AOD Forum to be held in Melbourne on Wednesday 8 April 2009. The Forum will be tailored specifically for the building and construction industry and has been organised in response to feedback from industry stakeholders who expressed an interest in learning more about the impact of AOD in the workplace.
In announcing this Forum, Helen said “this is a great opportunity for participants to share ideas, hear from expert speakers and discuss practical responses. We have an exciting line up of speakers from a range of backgrounds and I expect there will be some rigorous discussion throughout the day.”
Some of the confirmed speakers include: Dr Ken Pidd, Deputy Director of the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction; Trevor Sharp, National and NSW Project Coordinator for the Building Trades Group Drug and Alcohol Program; and Chris Parker, who has worked in the industry for many years and will talk about his personal experience and role in addressing AOD issues in the workplace.
There is no charge to attend, although numbers are limited so if you would like to express interest in attending this forum please see the forum invitation (PDF 105KB) and register by Friday 20 February 2009. Your registration will be confirmed by Friday 27 February 2009.
Health of the Industry - 13 February 2009 A small survey recently undertaken by the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner (OFSC) reveals ‘diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue caused by incidents such as slips, trips and falls’ is considered to be the number one health issue for building and construction companies.
Focusing on health and fitness issues affecting employees in the workplace, the survey asked participating companies to indicate health issues of most concern and the strategies they use to address problem areas.
The next health issue listed as causing concern was alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Diseases of the nervous system and sense organs and neoplasms were also listed as key health issues.
The majority of companies noted they had policies in place to address health and fitness in the workplace, although the length and subject matter varied significantly from company to company.
Undertaken by a sample of accredited companies in December 2008, the information gathered from the questionnaire will be used by the OFSC to help identify areas of health where companies may require additional information and assistance. To this end, the OFSC is planning an AOD Forum for early April as part of the overall health strategy. This free Forum will provide industry stakeholders with an opportunity to share ideas and hear from expert speakers. More information on the Forum will be released shortly.
We are also very interested in gaining your views on health issues affecting the building and construction industry. We welcome your feedback through our email address at ofsc@deewr.gov.au
As always, we are also interested in hearing about initiatives your company has put into place to combat particular OHS issues. By sharing information and lessons learnt, you can be part of the drive to create a positive cultural change in this industry.
Reducing ‘Red Tape’ Through Scheme Recognition - 9 January 2009
Scheme recognition is a key priority for the OFSC in 2008–09. There are currently several OHS prequalification schemes operating across Australia with varying OHS requirements. The Office is talking with all state and territory authorities involved in administering prequalification schemes, with the aim to reduce the administrative burden on industry participants through scheme recognition arrangements. We are pleased to announce that the Queensland Department of Public Works have agreed to recognise the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme) for the OHS component of its prequalification scheme. Contractors accredited under the Scheme will now be deemed to satisfy the OHS accreditation requirements for the Queensland Government’s Prequalification (PQC) System for building industry contractors and consultants.
Also available - archived news from 2008 | 2007 | 2004-2006