It was identified in the Brady Report to the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) (2019), that a lack of training, supervision and appropriate controls accounted for the majority of fatalities in the mining and quarrying industry between 2001 and 2029 (Brady, 2019). Almost all fatalities studied (47 in total) were the result of systemic, organisational, supervision or training failures, either with or without the presence of human error. In 68% of fatalities analysed, the worker was required to be supervised when undertaking the task, i.e., it was not a routine task, like driving. 78% of these fatalities involved inadequate or absent supervision.
It has been observed that site supervision by Advanced Buildings and Restorations (ABR) Supervisors (as representatives of the Principal Contactor) is not guaranteed, due to multiple job allocations typically assigned to ABR Supervisors, at any given time. Works on job sites often commence, or works continue, across various project sites simultaneously (as many as 5-10 per week, per Supervisor), with a geographic spread that inhibits their capacity to be present at each site, or even a majority of sites.
Further, in the Brady report to the DNRME, it was identified that a lack of task specific training was a major contributing factor across 36% of the fatalities reported. In many cases this lack of training resulted in workers being unaware of specific hazards involved in completing a task, or the worker operated equipment in a manner that exposed them to hazards.
On insurance building industry job sites, while the PC Supervisor is not typically responsible for task-specific training, a low number of pre-commencement (pre-start) or toolbox-style meetings are able to be completed or are prioritised for completion by a supervisor in person, due to the factors mentioned above. This undermines the ability for planned in-person discussions which may be beneficial for identifying where such training is required.
It is assumed by the author that there is a similar correlation between lack of supervision and increased serious injury risk in industries outside the mining and quarrying industry. If this assumption is correct; then, based on the findings in the Brady Report, there is a potential for increased injury risk on insurance building industry job sites where the PC Supervisor is not present. This is due to:
While there has been a relatively low incident rate at ABR job sites over previous years, based on the findings and recommendations of the Brady report, it has been identified that there is potentially an elevated risk of injury due to limited ABR Supervisor attendance at ABR work sites.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are recognised as a means for increasing accountability against a set criteria. At the time if writing, a health and safety KPI process was being launched nationally at Advanced Buildings and Restorations (ABR). The aim is to improve Supervisor attendance during site works and increase prioritisation of health and safety-related activities on job sites. The KPI’s cover areas related to pre-commencement inductions, planning meetings and discussions, such as Pre-Start meetings and Toolbox Talks, and increase the rate of Supervisor health, safety and environmental inspections at sites.
KPI achievement is reported monthly, to the executive leadership team with the first round of reporting scheduled for 17 December 2024.
An initial launch period has been established which covers the first 3 months of KPI reporting, through until March 2025. During this period, feedback from ABR Supervisors will be used to tailor the program if necessary.
Following the initial 12 months of KPI reporting (Dec 2025), incident rates (medical treatments, lost time injuries and serious/notifiable incidents) on ABR worksites will be compared against the previous 12 month period, to identify any changes. It is hoped that the KPI program will result in a sustained low LTI rate with improved serious incident performance across the business.
Author – Adam Eyles
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