The Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner (OFSC) acts to improve workplace health and safety (WHS) practices on building and construction sites across Australia.
We do this through the administration of the Australian Government Building and Construction Work Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme) and by promoting safety across the industry.
The Scheme requires building and construction companies to adhere to a range of operational and reporting practices to improve site safety. Subject to certain financial thresholds, only builders that are accredited under the Scheme can enter into head contracts for building work that is funded directly or indirectly by the Australian Government.
The Scheme enables the Australian Government to use its influence as a major construction client and provider of capital to improve the WHS performance of the industry. Through the Scheme, the Government aims to foster an improved culture where work must be performed safely, as well as on budget and on time.
Achieving accreditation is a two-stage process comprising an initial application and on-site audit.
There are currently over 500 accredited companies in Australia. These companies perform commercial, residential and civil building and construction projects across the country.
On-site audits are conducted against the WHS Accreditation Scheme Auditing Criteria, which cover three key areas: WHS management systems criteria, Focus point criteria and Hazard criteria
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