Construction ISSC communique: July 2024
Mr Kurt Pauls, the Chair, welcomed members and guests to the committee’s second meeting.
The Chair informed the members that the Work Health and Safety Board (WHS Board) had endorsed the committee’s terms of reference.
The Committee noted an out-of-session paper on the review of the Steel Construction Code of Practice 2004, which was distributed to members on 11 June for noting by 26 June.
Mr Sebastian Bielen, Director of Data and Evaluation Services, joined the meeting and demonstrated the Power BI dashboard. Developed as an alternative to paper-based reports, the dashboard offers enhanced functionality with drill-down options and cross-industry data for easy comparison and reference. Work is currently being undertaken to arrange access for the committee members.
The Chair facilitated discussion on the heat stress information scan, a matter referred by the Board. The Committee recommended to the board that the code be in place before next summer to ensure worker safety.
The Committee deliberated on the Managing respirable crystalline silica dust exposure in construction and manufacturing of construction elements Code of Practice 2022, in particular data and applicability of Appendix 4 of the Code, noting Safe Work Australia’s (SWA) three-year transitional review of the code. In consideration of the worker’s safety in the interim period, the Committee recommended the WHS Board prioritise the review of the silica Code of Practice.
The Committee took note of the status of the Work Health and Safety (Amenities for Construction Work) Amendment Regulation 2024 and some committee members commented that an updated draft may soon be available to all stakeholders for further consultation.
The Committee acknowledged that WorkSafe website provides a good summary of legislative changes contained in the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 that are in effect now as well as the changes proposed to commence on 29 July 2024. The Committee reviewed its draft forward plan and further development to focus on critical issues in the industry along with ad-hoc matters.
In the noting matters, the Committee discussed the high-risk license and inclusion of specific data sets and trends in the data reports.
The next Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 9 October 2024.
ISSC secretariat | Email: oirboardsandcommittees@oir.qld.gov.au