Welcome to Spades Labour Hire
Welcome to Spades Labour Hire! Your safety is our top priority. This comprehensive guide will help you understand and follow the necessary safety protocols to protect yourself and your colleagues. Please read through carefully and acknowledge that you understand these guidelines. This guide is designed to comply with the relevant laws and regulations in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
We have created a complete guide on safety on the construction site to explore and educate you on what you should know about protection before you come on site.
We all need to go home safe and sound by the end of each workday.
In our culture, everyone is encouraged to take care of their safety and be responsible for empowering others about how they behave onsite.
This comprehensive information guide has been created to help you understand basic protocols while working at construction sites.
There's also advice available regarding exactly where things shouldn't happen when doing jobs within these environments.
General Non-Negociable Safety Tips
Working in construction can be dangerous, and there are several things that you should be aware of to help keep yourself safe.
Follow all safety instructions here:
General Safety Practices
Follow all safety instructions and signage. Adhering to instructions ensures a safe work environment.
Always be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards. Awareness prevents accidents and injuries.
Report any hazards or unsafe conditions to your supervisor and to Spades immediately. Reporting ensures prompt action and safety.
Do not execute tasks unless you are trained and authorised. Proper training ensures tasks are performed safely.
Do not touch equipment or materials unless you are trained and authorised. Authorization prevents mishandling and accidents.
Execute tasks that you’re mentally and physically fit for. Fitness for duty ensures safe and effective performance.
If unsure about any safety procedure, ask a member of the safety team or your supervisor. Asking clarifies procedures and prevents mistakes.
Always use the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the task. PPE protects you from job-specific hazards.
Maintain a clean and organized work area to prevent accidents. Cleanliness reduces the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Ensure proper lighting in all work areas to avoid visibility-related hazards. Proper lighting improves visibility and safety.
Follow proper lifting techniques to avoid strain injuries. Correct lifting techniques prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
Keep emergency exits and access routes clear at all times. Clear routes ensure quick and safe evacuations.
Know the location of first aid kits and emergency equipment. Awareness of emergency equipment ensures timely response.
Do not consume alcohol or drugs before or during work. Sobriety ensures alertness and safety.
Take regular breaks to avoid fatigue and maintain focus. Breaks prevent fatigue and maintain productivity.
Be mindful of the weather conditions and take appropriate precautions. Weather awareness prevents weather-related injuries.
Participate in all required safety training and refresher courses. Training ensures up-to-date safety knowledge.
Communicate effectively with team members about potential hazards. Effective communication prevents misunderstandings and accidents.
Equipment and Machinery Safety
Follow lockout/tagout procedures when servicing equipment. Procedures ensure equipment is safely de-energized.
Avoid using damaged tools or equipment; report and replace them immediately. Reporting ensures timely repairs and safe equipment.
Use proper fall protection measures when working at heights. Fall protection equipment saves lives.
Ensure proper ventilation when working with hazardous substances. Ventilation prevents exposure to harmful substances.
Never work alone in high-risk areas; always have a buddy or observer. A buddy system ensures help is available in emergencies.
Be familiar with the emergency evacuation plan and procedures. Familiarity ensures quick and orderly evacuations.
Report any near-miss incidents to help improve safety protocols. Reporting near-misses prevents future accidents.
Adjust your workstation and tools to maintain good posture and reduce strain. Ergonomics prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
Health and Well-Being
Stay hydrated and eat regular, balanced meals to maintain energy levels and focus. Hydration and nutrition maintain health and performance.
Participate in scheduled safety drills to be prepared for emergencies. Drills prepare you for real-life emergency situations.
Engage in stretching exercises before starting physically demanding tasks to prevent injuries. Stretching prevents muscle strain.
Attend daily or weekly safety meetings to stay informed about current safety concerns and updates. Meetings keep safety top-of-mind.
Follow specific procedures for handling and disposing of hazardous materials safely. Procedures ensure safe handling and disposal.
Report all incidents, regardless of how minor, to ensure they are properly documented and addressed. Reporting ensures accountability and improvement.
Take responsibility for your own safety and the safety of those around you. Personal accountability fosters a safe work environment.
Keep work areas clean and orderly to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Housekeeping prevents accidents.
Pay attention to and comply with all safety signs and warnings. Compliance with signs prevents exposure to hazards.
Keep up-to-date with industry-specific safety standards and best practices. Staying informed ensures compliance and safety.
Avoid distractions and remain mentally alert while performing tasks. Alertness prevents accidents and improves performance.
Conflict and Incident Management
Address and resolve conflicts promptly to maintain a safe and collaborative work environment. Conflict resolution promotes harmony and safety.
Be aware of site security protocols to protect against unauthorized access or theft. Security awareness protects people and property.
Dispose of all waste materials in designated areas following proper procedures. Proper disposal prevents contamination and hazards.
Utilize available technology to enhance safety, such as safety apps or monitoring systems. Technology improves safety monitoring and reporting.
Be prepared for adverse weather conditions and adjust work practices accordingly. Weather preparedness prevents weather-related accidents.
Encourage a culture of safety through positive reinforcement and recognition of safe behaviours. Recognition motivates safe behaviour.
Participate in health monitoring programs to detect and address occupational health issues early. Health monitoring ensures early detection and treatment.
Client Interaction and Reporting
Report when a Spades client is not obeying safety standards. Reporting ensures adherence to safety regulations.
Report when a Spades client is being abusive or harassing. Reporting ensures a respectful and safe work environment.
Document all interactions with Spades clients that involve safety or behavioural issues. Documentation provides evidence and ensures follow-up.
Immediately inform your supervisor about any conflicts or issues with Spades clients. Immediate reporting ensures timely resolution.
Use the official reporting channels to file complaints about client behaviour or safety violations. Proper channels ensure complaints are addressed.
Follow up on reported issues to ensure they are being addressed and resolved. Follow-up ensures accountability and resolution.
Maintain professionalism and adhere to company policies when dealing with difficult clients. Professionalism maintains respect and compliance.
Seek support from your supervisor or HR when dealing with ongoing client issues. Support ensures appropriate handling and resolution.
Do not engage in confrontational behaviour; report and let management handle the situation. Reporting prevents escalation and ensures safety.
Ensure all reports are detailed and include specific incidents and witnesses if possible. Detailed reports ensure thorough investigations.
Mental and Physical Health
Manage your mental health and reach out if you don’t feel mentally or physically fit to work.
Inform Spades Allocator in case you feel exhausted during or after work.
Do not compromise on safety even when under physical stress.
Promote personal health and fitness programs to enhance overall worker well-being and reduce the risk of injuries.
Establish a zero-tolerance policy for workplace bullying and harassment, including reporting procedures and support resources.
Enforce a strict substance abuse policy, including random drug and alcohol testing to ensure a safe working environment.
Conduct ergonomic assessments to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and improve worker comfort.
Implement noise monitoring and control measures to protect workers from hearing loss.
Maintain physical fitness and avoid alcohol and drugs even off work.
Be prepared to undergo a drug test to ensure a safe working environment.
Working Under Stress
Be aware of common signs of stress such as irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and changes in behaviour.
Engage in self-assessment and peer support to identify stress early.
Use stress management techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and taking regular breaks.
Maintain a healthy work-life balance by taking your scheduled breaks and vacations.
Utilise available mental health resources and support systems.
Communicate openly about stress and mental health without stigma.
Monitor your workload to ensure it is manageable.
Seek assistance and discuss task redistribution with your supervisor if necessary to prevent burnout.
Conflicts on Site
Familiarise yourself with the policy for addressing conflicts on site.
Report any conflicts to your supervisor or HR as outlined in the policy.
Practice active listening and respectful dialogue to resolve conflicts.
Report conflicts to your supervisor or HR promptly.
Ensure all reported conflicts are documented along with the steps taken to resolve them.
Spades' workers should follow three rules when facing a hazard
⚠️Slow Down: be calm and relaxed even during your busy routine at the workplace.
⚠️ Step Back: taking risks should be avoided.
⚠️ Sizing up the Risk: do not be a hero. Safety Principles that you MUST follow.
Wear your PPE
The right PPE is vital in keeping yourself safe on the job.
The type of protection required will depend largely upon what you're doing and where any potential hazards may be found, but it's always best practice for workers in these fields to wear their prescribed masks when they work so as not puts themselves or others at risk!
Mandatory at all times:
✅Hardhat/helmet.
✅Steel cap boots/shoes.
✅Hivis clothing (reflective for night shift).
✅Safety glasses.
✅Sunscreen (day shift)
Not mandatory, but necessary depending on the task:
✅Pants/long-sleeve shirts.
✅Respiratoy protection.
✅Ear protection.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
✅You must wear PPE that is coherent with the task at hand at all times.
✅You must ensure your team members and coworkers also wear their PPE correctly.
✅Your PPE must not be faulty or outdated.
✅Regularly inspect PPE for wear and tear.
✅Replace PPE immediately if damaged or worn out.
Ensure proper fit of all PPE to avoid accidents.
The points that should be kept in mind:
Reporting Damage and Injury
Reporting Damage:
Assess the situation and ensure it is safe to proceed.
Report the damage to your supervisor immediately.
Fill out a damage report form online at Report Damage
Provide detailed information about the incident, including what was damaged, how it occurred, and any other relevant details.
Reporting Injury:
Ensure that the injured person receives immediate medical attention.
Report the injury to your supervisor as soon as possible.
Complete an injury report form online at Report Injury.
Include all necessary details, such as the nature of the injury, how it happened, and any witnesses to the incident.
Emergency Contact Information
In case of an emergency requiring urgent help from police, fire, or ambulance services, workers should call 000 (Triple Zero). Triple Zero (000) is Australia's main emergency service number.
When to call 000:
If you need urgent help from police, fire, or ambulance services.
In the event of a serious injury, fire, or any other life-threatening situation.
Information to provide when calling 000:
Your exact location.
The nature of the emergency.
Any specific details that can help emergency responders.
Continuous Improvement and Reporting
Report Hazards: If you encounter any trade-specific hazards that are not addressed in this guide, report them to your supervisor immediately.
Feedback: Provide feedback on safety practices and suggest improvements. Your insights can help us enhance safety protocols for everyone.
Stay Informed: Keep abreast of new safety regulations and best practices in your trade to ensure ongoing compliance and safety.
Contacting the Allocator
If you identify a risk situation that could pose a hazard to yourself or others, it is essential to contact our allocator immediately.
Assess the Situation: Ensure it is safe to remain in the area.
Allocator Contact Number: 1300 855 334
Describe the risk or hazard identified.
Specify the exact location of the hazard.
Mention any immediate actions taken to mitigate the risk.
