Workplace Health and Safety Policy

Name of Business: Smith & Sons Electrical ABN: 12 345 678 901 Date Effective: 1 July 2023

1. Policy Statement

Smith & Sons Electrical is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all electricians, apprentices, labourers, and clients. We believe that electric shocks, falls, and injuries are preventable. We will comply with all applicable Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, specifically the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 (QLD) and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Our primary goal is to eliminate electrical hazards and minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable. We will hold weekly toolbox talks to ensure everyone has a voice in safety. The management of Smith & Sons Electrical actively supports this policy and will provide the necessary funding for safety equipment and training.

2. Objectives

We aim to achieve the following:

• To maintain a workplace free from electric shock and arc flash incidents.
• To identify all live electrical work hazards and implement appropriate Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures.
• To ensure all electricians hold current licences and are trained in rescue and resuscitation.
• To consult with workers on WHS issues at every monthly meeting.
• To provide safe extension leads and portable RCDs for all tasks.

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Management / Business Owner

The Business Owner, John Smith, will:

• Maintain this policy and ensure it is on every work van.
• Provide safe ladders and scaffolding.
• Ensure all vans are stocked with first aid kits and fire extinguishers.
• Pay for CPR refresher courses for all staff annually.

3.2 Workers

All workers must:

• Test for dead before touching any wires.
• Use the Lock Out Tag Out system every time.
• Wear cotton long-sleeved shirts and rubber-soled boots.
• Report any frayed cords immediately to John.

4. Risk Management

Smith & Sons Electrical will manage risks using the hierarchy of controls:

1. Identify Hazards: We use a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) sheet for every new site.
2. Assess Risks: We determine if the voltage and environment pose a high risk.
3. Control Risks:

• Eliminate: We de-energise circuits before work begins whenever possible.
• Isolate: We lock the switchboard to prevent re-energisation.
• PPE: We use rated insulated gloves and face shields when elimination is not possible.

4. Review Controls: The Site Supervisor checks the JSA daily.

5. Consultation

We talk safety every Tuesday morning at 7:00 am. This is our toolbox talk. Apprentices are encouraged to speak up about anything unsafe they see. We have a suggestions box in the office for anonymous feedback.

6. Training and Supervision

All new apprentices complete a two-day induction with the senior electrician. They are supervised until they are deemed competent in basic testing. We keep a training matrix in the office to track who needs their CPR update.

7. Incident Reporting and Investigation

If you get an electric shock, even a small tingle, you must stop work and tell John immediately. We will treat it as an incident. We will check the equipment and the person. If a serious incident happens, we will call 000 and notify WHSQ.

8. Emergency Procedures

If someone is unconscious:

1. Check for DANGER (ensure power is off).
2. Call 000.
3. Start CPR if trained.

If there is a fire:

1. Use the fire extinguisher if safe to do so.
2. Evacuate the site.
3. Meet at the street front near the ute.

9. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed on 1 July 2024.