The National Code sets minimum standards that businesses must meet to be eligible for certain Australian Government building and construction work.
The National Code Implementation Guidelines provide supporting detail on compliance requirements.
See other ABCC fact sheets to determine when the National Code applies and which Guidelines to use.
This fact sheet applies to all projects that were the subject of an expression of interest or tender let for the first time on or after 1 August 2009.
OHS under the National Code
The National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry (National Code) and Australian Government Implementation Guidelines for the National Code (Guidelines) make occupational health and safety (OHS) management a key part of the organisational culture of companies and enterprises. OHS must be actively addressed by all industry participants.
Commitment to OHS management must be demonstrated through systems that address the responsibilities, policies, procedures and performance standards to be met by all parties involved in a project.
Australian Government Building and Construction Accreditation Scheme
The Australian Government is committed to being both a model client and to influencing the OHS outcomes of the building and construction industry. The Australian Government Building and Construction Scheme (Scheme) is directed at OHS systems of head contractors working on directly funded projects in excess of $3 million and some indirectly funded projects. The Scheme is administered by the Federal Safety Commissioner in accordance with the Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act 2005. The Scheme is separate to the National Code and Guidelines.
National Code and Guidelines OHS requirements
In addition to the Scheme, the Guidelines require head contractors to establish a comprehensive site-specific OHS management plan before work commences on any project. These requirements must be in place regardless of project size and include privately funded projects.
A comprehensive management plan aims for the prevention and elimination of hazards that cause injuries and illnesses at the workplace. It must include:
- clear management commitment
- employee involvement
- rigorous work practices analysis
- proactive worksite analysis that anticipates and assigns roles and responsibilities and defines efficient procedures while on site
- hazard identification, prevention and control
- induction and task training including, with the employers consent, participation of the site OHS delegate
- appropriate case management and rehabilitation
- efficient maintenance of records.
It is essential that an OHS management system is fully documented and clearly communicated to people in an enterprise.
Australian Government monitoring of OHS
The Federal Safety Commissioner conducts on-site audits of projects subject to the Scheme. A standard component of the ABCC’s on-site monitoring of projects is to confirm that principal contractors have an OHS plan in place. Issues relating to non-compliance are referred to the Code Monitoring Group secretariat and relevant state OHS authorities for more detailed review and action.