Safe Work Practices

The contractor manager or supervisor must ensure that all personnel follow safe work practices on Northpoint sites. This involves ensuring adherence to the relevant government act, regulation, or standard for work health & safety as may apply.

Tasks that may involve interaction with site activities must have an Onsite Risk Assessment or Job Safety Analysis (JSA) completed. Specific permits for Hot Works or Work at Heights must also be completed prior to commencement, and all relevant personnel instructed in the required safe work practices and precautions, based on the outcome of the risk assessment / JSA.

All work areas must be kept clean and tidy, ensuring that the areas are free of slipping, tripping, and mechanical and electrical hazards. Also, where possible work areas are to be partitioned off.

Smoking is prohibited unless it is in a designated area. Northpoint policy prohibits people coming onsite who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  (Including any medication which may cause drowsiness and affect their fitness for work)

Contravention of these safety rules may result in the individual being ordered to leave the site immediately and subject to investigation, may be banned from future work on Northpoint sites.

 

Qualifications / Supervision

It is the contractor manager’s responsibility to ensure that only appropriately qualified, licenced, and experienced personnel are used on any Northpoint site. This applies but is not limited to electrical testing, asbestos, forklift operation and specialised equipment maintenance as an example.

The contractor will also ensure the appropriate level and frequency of supervision is undertaken relative to the tasks being completed to ensure safe operations (this particularly applies to any work completed by trade assistants or apprentices).

 

Safe Tools & Equipment

Only tools& equipment that are safe for operation and have been tested and maintained as per the standard that applies to it (including regular inspections and maintenance) are to be bought into or used on Northpoint premises. It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure compliance with this policy.

Unsafe tools must be immediately tagged out of use and removed from the premises soon as possible.

All contractors must use their own equipment or tools. No access to Northpoint equipment will be allowed (unless specific exemption has been requested and approved by the department manager, e.g., use of a forklift).

 

Hazardous Chemical Products

All chemical products required for the task being undertaken will be in stored in a suitable container, with legible labelling. Product safety data sheets (SDS) must be available.

 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

The contractor must supply PPE and suitable work clothing which is appropriate to the nature of the work being undertaken. The contractor must properly train all personnel in the safe use of the PPE and ensure its use when the task requires it.

 

Incident or Injury Reporting

All work injuries, incidents or illnesses that occur on site must be reported to the contract manager immediately. The relevant department manager of the Northpoint site and HSEC Officer must also be informed.

 

Hazard Reporting

If any contractor’s personnel identify a hazard that cannot be immediately resolved, this concern must be reported to the contract manager. If this hazard causes the work area to be unsafe in any way, work will cease until the hazard is properly resolved.

 

Notification of Being on Site

All contractors / subcontractors must sign in and out using the Contractor / Visitor Register whenever coming onto a Northpoint site. The register will be located at the main point of entry to each site (Reception Desk).

 

Permits to Work

Northpoint requires permit to work / risk assessment for high-risk activities or SWMS if it is a legislative requirement, (a generic risk assessment / JSA is available as an attachment with contractor resources).

If any work arises which might require a permit, the contractor is to check with the department manager.

The contractor can use their own risk assessment template providing it has been reviewed and authorised by the Northpoint HSEC Officer.

 

First Aid Services

Contractors are encouraged to provide their own first aid facilities when on site, however in case of injury, Northpoint first aid facilities and trained team members will be made available to assist.

 

Emergency Procedures

The emergency procedures for all sites are displayed in each department. The contractor manager / supervisor is to ensure all contract personnel are familiar with the emergency and evacuation procedures prior to commencing work. If unsure about any aspect, ask a department team member to clarify before work commences.

 

 

Work at Height

The risks associated with a fall from one level to another must be managed where it is reasonably likely that such a fall would result in injury. All ladders must be suitable for the task and in a safe condition. Scissorlifts or Boomlifts must only be used within their SWL and operated by licenced contractors.

 

Worker Facilities

The contract manager / supervisor is to confirm with local team members the availability and use of staff facilities (lunchroom, toilets, chilled drinking water). The location of all facilities will be provided to new contractors as part of site orientation.

 

Parking & Traffic Management

Contract personnel may only park onsite were directed and must obey all traffic rules (e.g., Per traffic signage).

Vehicle speed on site in 5 Km/h. Hazard lights must be operating and the horn sounded prior to passing through any driveway entry/exit door. All traffic is to follow directional flow indicators where applicable. Note: a high percentage of moving vehicles will be hybrid or BEV that are difficult to hear when walking within our sites.

No persons are allowed in proximity of mobile plant and lifting equipment (e.g., exclusion zone of at least 3m when forklifts are operating).

If works being completed may introduce a risk of site vehicles or equipment colliding with pedestrians / contract workers, then traffic cones / bollards must be used to cordon off the work area.

 

Uncertainty

If you or any contact workers are unsure about any aspect of the task or required safety measures (or you are unable to complete the task to the relevant safety rules or legislative requirements), or you observe an activity that you believe presents an immediate risk to life or serious injury / damage, stop work immediately until resolved. Immediately report the concern to the Department Manager or HSEC Officer.

 

Insurance

Any contractor working on a Northpoint site must have current public liability and workers compensation insurance. No work is permitted to commence if the insurance requirements are not current and valid.

 

Other

Other safety precautions may be advised or agreed, depending upon the local circumstances and results of the project risk assessment.