Occupational Health & Safety Policy

Transformable Homes are commitment towards the Health, Safety and Welfare of its employees is of extreme importance within its operations. The company recognises and accepts its responsibility towards ensuring the Health, Safety and Welfare of our entire employee's.

Resources commensurate with the company's emphasis towards Occupational Health & Safety have been made available to provide and maintain for the physical and psychological well being of Transformable Homes Pty Ltd employees.

The Management will demonstrate through policy development that risk management and health/ safety receives priority attention on a continual basis and complies with the relevant OHS workplace injury management and workers compensation legislation & regulations.

Managers, Supervisors and all staff will be responsible for the implementation and promulgation of all matters dealing with the health and safety and other relevant information of employee's under their control.

All employees will be expected to demonstrate a willingness to embrace the concept of safe work practices and a safe working environment is achieved. Employees will be required to work in a healthy and safe manner whilst discouraging others from working in an unsafe manner.

Education / training of all employees on Health and Safety issues is considered to be a natural course of employment and all employees will be encouraged to embrace this concept.

Transformable Homes strongly endorses the implementation of Health and Safety Committees/Representatives on-site and fully expects these bodies to be a major influence in the prevention of occupational illness and injury through the process of joint consultation.

This policy is but an outline of the commitment which this company places upon Occupational Health and Safety within the workplace, but this commitment from all concerned is necessary if the Health and Safety of all is to be achieved and maintained.

Noise Management Policy

Brief Overview

In accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act, Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001, the relevant Australian Standards and Codes of Practices, Transformable Homes Pty Ltd, is committed to the control of workplace noise and the reduction of noise related health problems amongst management, staff and visitors.

Exposure to noise can affect an employee's health in a variety of ways. Repetitive exposure to excessively loud noise levels can precede the development of the progressive condition, "Noise Induced Hearing Loss" (HIHL). As NIHL progresses, the affected person can suffer from tinnitus and may become increasingly isolated and unable to hear everyday sounds, making it difficult to communicate with other people, both at work and socially. Lower levels of noise may also pose a hazard to health. Such noise levels may create distractions, increase frustration, decrease self-esteem, reduce concentration spans and limit communication with others.

Transformable Homes Pty Ltd realises the importance for the construction industry to adopt a preventive management program aimed at the reduction of workers' noise exposure. The best way to achieve this reduction is to employ quiet work practices (like quiet piling systems) and use quiet construction equipment like silenced compressors. This is not always practicable or available, so therefore consideration should be given as to the site layout. (Arrange noisy processes away from workers not involved directly with their operation). Portable barriers can also be used around static equipment like generators and concrete pumps. To achieve better results, noise control aspects should be included in two phases of construction, site planning and the actual construction phase.

Consultation & Communication

Brief Overview

In accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000, Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001, the relevant Australian Standards and Codes of Practices, Transformable Homes Pty Ltd, is committed to the ongoing consultation with employees in relation to Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental and Industrial Relations issues within the workplace.

The following objectives have been identified for OHS Consultation with employees:-

• To improve communication channels between management and employees;
• To improve management decisions by sourcing a larger range of ideas in regards to OHS issues;
• To achieve and improve greater employee commitment to OHS, by allowing a better understanding of decisions made related to workplace safety and therefore gaining improved employee ownership of such outcomes;
• To reduce workplace injury and disease with consequent savings to the employer, employees and other persons;
• To improve morale and job satisfaction amongst employees by involving them in developing and implementing safer and better work practices

Transformable Homes Pty Ltd encourages open communication throughout the organization to ensure the workforce participation in planning, implementing and managing of OHS improvements. Transformable Homes  Pty Ltd understands that communication to be an extremely important aspect of company procedures thus ensuring consultation with employees is maintained, so decisions regarding hazards, OHS Risks, controls and other OHS arrangements can be carried out effectively to produce the most desired effect resulting in an healthier environment for employees. Consultation with employee is required, on a daily basis with written reports submitted to management on a fortnightly basis for action.

Injury Management Brief Overview

Median	Target Audience	Frequency	Notes
General
Telephone	All	As required	Dairy Documentation if decisions are made
Facsimile	All	As required	A copy must be retained for files
Email	All	As required	A copy must be retained for files
General Letter Correspondence (Mail)	All	As required	A copy must be retained for files
Memorandums	All	As required	A copy must be retained for files
Face to Face	All	As required	Diary Documentation if decisions are made
Meetings
Directors Meeting	Client, Transformable Homes Managing, Transformable Homes  Director Architect	Fortnightly	Meeting Minutes are documented
Supervisors Meeting	Client (if required), Builder, Architect, Sub Consultants	Weekly	Meeting Minutes are documented & publicized on site’s notice board
Toolbox Meetings	Supervisor, Site Foreman, site staff sub-contractors (if required)	Monthly	Meeting Minutes are documented & publicized on site’s notice board
Informal Meetings	Site Foreman, Sub-contractor, site staff	As required
Internal
Office Meetings	Transformable Homes Office Staff Only	Monthly	Meeting minutes are documented
OH&S Training Seminars	Transformable Homes Staff Only	As required (Generally 6 monthly)	Internal OH&S refresher seminar
Other
Update Reports	Client	As required	Written document of project progress
Client Satisfaction Surveys	Client	Generally one or two per project	Satisfaction Survey, designed to open communication lines and assist in improving our service

With the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000, Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001, the relevant Australian Standards and Codes of Practices, Transformable Homes Pty Ltd, is committed to preventing injury and illness to its employees by providing a safe and healthy working environment.

However, in the event that an employee does sustain a work related injury or illness, Transformable Homes Pty Ltd is equally committed to providing an efficient workplace injury management program with the aim of restoring the employee to the fullest physical, psychological, social, and economic usefulness of which they are capable, consistent with their pre-injury status.

Injury Management for workplace injuries aims to return injured employees to work according to the following heichary of injury management goals, this has been outlined by Workcover WA although is subject to medical advice.

1. Pre-injury duties with pre injury employer
2. Modified or reasonably adjusted duties with pre-injury employer
3. Different duties with pre-injury employer
4. Pre-injury duties with a different employer
5. Modified or reasonably adjusted duties with a different employer
6. Different duties with a different employer

Objectives

In accordance with the WA Workers Compensation (Workplace Injury Management Programs) Regulation, the Workers Compensation Act 1987 and the Workplace Injury Management & Works Compensation Act 1998, amended 2001, Transformable Homes recognises the following commitments:

• Prevention of injury or illness through the provision of a safe and healthy working environment is the primary aim.
• Informing staff and supervisors of their responsibilities under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 and the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998.
• Ensuring that the injury management process is commenced as soon as practicable following injury, irrespective of an injured employee’s compensation claims status.
• Ensuring that return to work following injury is a normal practice and expectation.
• The provision of suitable duties as part of an injured employee's return to work plan, is an integral part of the injury management process.
• Consultation with employees to ensure the Injury Management Plan operates effectively.
• Ensuring that participation in an injury management program will not, in itself, prejudice or disadvantage an injured employee.
• Ensure all Injury Management information is treated confidentially as required by Workcover.

Hazardous Substances

Brief Overview

In accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000, Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001, the relevant Australian Standards and Codes of Practices, Transformable Homes  Pty Ltd, is committed to the implementation of a hazardous substances policy to ensure a system exists to systematically identify and investigate potential chemical hazards in order to minimise the risk of adverse health and safety effects to personnel, property and the environment arising from exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.

• To ensure Transformable Homes Pty Ltd complies with all legislation and Australian Standards relevant to hazardous substances and the following needs to be considered.
• Ensure that hazardous substances in use on site are identified and labelled and that material safety sheets are available and accessible to all personnel;
• Ensure a safe system of work is implemented that identifies, assesses and controls the risks of working with hazardous substances;
• Ensure that employees and sub-contractors who could be exposed to hazardous substances are provided with information and training on the nature of the hazards, risk assessment methods and risk control procedures;
• Ensure that suitable controls are available to control hazardous substances and that they are used;
• Where such controls may not adequately control risks from hazardous substances, to ensure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided to employees as required by the risk assessment or Australian Standard and that safe work practices which outline the PPE to be used are communicated;
• Ensure appropriate storage provisions exist for all hazardous substances, poisons and dangerous goods;
• Ensure a safe system is developed for the safe disposal of hazardous substances waste;
• Ensure that a process is in place for conducting air monitoring and health surveillance if required, as identified by the risk assessment or required by the regulation;
• Ensure that emergency services have access to relevant information on hazardous substances on site;
• Ensure a system is in place for record keeping and archiving of records;
• To protect the environment from adverse effects of chemicals used on Transformable Homes Pty Ltd sites.

Emergency Procedures

Brief Overview

• In accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000, Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001, the relevant Australian Standards and Codes of Practices, Transformable Homes  Pty Ltd, is committed to the implementation of an emergencies procedures policy, which will facilitate safe, orderly and timely evacuation when and where necessary.
• An evacuation may be implemented as a result of fire, gas leak, explosion, extreme climatic conditions, earthquake, bomb threat, terrorist action, armed intruders or another type of disaster situation. Therefore, it is vital all Transformable Homes Pty Ltd, employees, sub-contractors and visitors are familiar with the procedures.

An Emergency Control Officer, located on a Transformable Homes   Pty Ltd, work site, is generally the Site Foreman/Supervisor, in the absence of these people, the next senior person on site, unless otherwise noted within the Project Site-specific Safety Plan and the OHS Manager for Head office. The Emergency Control Officer is responsible for the following:

• Ensure training in emergency procedures has been carried out (this is within the Site Induction for work sites);
• Ensure First Aid facilities are available on site;
• Raise alarm when required;
• Ensure emergency services are contacted in regards to any emergencies;
• Organize and supervise the safe movement of occupants off the work site, in the event of an emergency;
• Send someone to meet emergency services at the entrance of the site;
• Provide any first aid if required;
• Ensure Senior Management is informed of any emergency occurrences;
• Ensure WorkCover is contacted in regards to any non-disturbance occurrences;
• Cordon off the damaged or dangerous areas and keep onlookers away;

Assist emergency services upon their arrival and during investigations.

Emergency procedures should be reviewed on an annual basis or if legislation, regulations, code of practices or Australian standards are revised, or in the event, the workplace changes (includes building changes and/or changes in work practices).

Evaluation and review should be carried out for site procedures, prior to commencement on site, during the production of the Project Site-Specific Safety Plan. These procedures should also be reviewed, in times of changes on site, as per the above.

Risk Management

Brief Overview

In accordance with the Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000, Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001, the relevant Australian Standards and Codes of Practices, Transformable Homes Pty Ltd, is committed to the Risk Management of hazards associated with work practices undertaken by employees, sub-contractors and any hazards, which may affect clients and/or visitors.

Transformable Homes Pty Ltd has identified the key OHS risks for the organisation through a continuous program of building inspections, analysis of workers compensation claims, accident data and consultation with staff through the OHS Safety Representative & Monthly Tool Box Meetings. On the basis of the key risks identified Transformable Homes Pty Ltd has developed policies, guidelines and procedures for staff, sub-contractors and visitors on how to manage specific OHS risks. These include policies on noise management and hazardous substances. Manual handling and plant safety are currently under construction. Each policy contains the relevant references to legislative and standards requirements.

All personnel undertaking activities are required to eliminate the risk or otherwise control the risks utilizing the WorkCover hierarchy of risk control measures.

• Eliminate the risk by ceasing the hazardous component or activity
• Substitute a less harmful alternative hazard substance or process
• Isolate the hazard at source using engineering means
• Introduce administrative controls to minimize exposure
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment

When hazards have been identified, their risk must be assessed. A risk assessment can help determine the likelihood and consequence of injury to workers, and damage to property / equipment. The most serious hazards can then be fixed or controlled first. This will potentially prevent harm to people, the environment and in turn save costs to the company.