Category four – Most significant improvement to work health and safety performance
Southern Cross Contractors (SSC) work for electricity meter providers, providing electrical skilled workers to exchange electricity meters. The company started off small in 2019 and rapidly expanded, with increased volumes of work and new staff to install meters. The safety management systems in place were minimal, increasing the risk of an incident occurring to workers and clients.
SCC invested in developing its safety, quality, compliance and governance framework to reduce the risk of significant injuries. They recruited skilled and experienced metering, governance and health and safety personnel to help improve their safety systems. The Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) manager observed and reviewed previous safety systems to determine where improvements could be made.
A new HSEQ system that was simple, robust and easy for field workers and other staff to use and understand was implemented. New IT systems allowed for document management and incident reporting to be completed in a timely automated way. It also enabled quick and easy access to documents, data and other reporting metrics needed to assist in being proactive towards safety.
SCC continue to monitor and improve their safety management systems. They have introduced onboarding training of meter technicians, conduct monthly toolbox talks and management system and policy reviews.
