Work Health and Safety Policy

Purpose. This policy states Gridworks' commitment to the health and safety of its workers and the public, and the responsibilities of everyone in the business.

1.Commitment

Gridworks will provide safe systems of work, tested equipment and plant, competent supervision and training, and the consultation the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires, so that no worker or member of the public is harmed by its activities. Safety performance will be reported to the leadership team monthly and to each client quarterly.

2.Principal hazards

The business recognises electric shock and arc flash, falls from poles, towers and elevated work platforms, plant contact with live apparatus, excavation and pit collapse, working in the rail corridor, vehicle and traffic incidents, heat, bushfire and fatigue as its principal hazards. Each has a documented control in a procedure that workers must follow.

• Access authorities and earthing for de-energised work
• Fall arrest and rescue capability for every height task
• Spotters and safe approach distances for plant
• Shoring or benching and pit rescue for excavations
• Track protection for rail corridor work
• Traffic management for roadside work

3.Responsibilities

Managers must plan work so that it can be done safely, provide resources and stop unsafe work. Team leaders must hold a tailgate briefing before every task, complete the job risk assessment and confirm rescue arrangements. Workers must follow procedures, wear the personal protective equipment specified, carry out pre-use checks of harnesses and insulating equipment, and report every hazard, near miss and incident before the end of the shift.

4.Rescue capability

Every crew working at height, on an elevated work platform, in a pit or trench, or on a tower must have a rescue plan on the job risk assessment, the rescue equipment on site and at least two workers current in the relevant rescue competency. Rescue drills will be conducted every six months and recorded on the training matrix.

5.Consultation

Health and safety representatives are elected for each depot and the operations centre. Safety issues will be resolved at the lowest level possible and escalated to the Network Operations, Safety and Training Manager where unresolved. No worker will be disadvantaged for raising a safety issue or refusing unsafe work.

6.Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, after any notifiable incident and when legislation changes.