WorkCover - New South Wales

2008 HIA Toolbox Talks for Trade Contactors

WorkCover NSW has joined forces with the Housing Industry Association (HIA) for a series of Toolbox Talks to be held throughout 2008. These onsite discussions for trade contractors cover important and relevant issues in the construction industry, including worksite safety.

The series kicked off to a good start with the Coral Homes Toolbox Talk held in the Hunter Valley in February. Almost 40 trade contractors from various trades participated in the discussion, which focused on safe work at heights to coincide with WorkCover NSW’s current fall prevention campaign. 

The morning started with a BBQ breakfast and, after a brief talk, WorkCover NSW, HIA and Coral Homes joined 37 contractors to walk around the site for the purpose of identifying potential hazards, discussing various options and agreeing on acceptable safe, practical solutions.  

Afterwards, those present took advantage of the opportunity to catch up with WorkCover NSW and HIA to discuss in further detail some of the issues that were raised.

The emphasis of the session was on safety but HIA was also in attendance to give contractors some handy compliance tips in relation to long service registration, changes to Continuing Professional Development and implications for licensing following a change of business structure.

Simon Currie, NSW OHS Manager for Coral Homes said, “The discussions between contractors, HIA and WorkCover identified potential hazards associated with working at heights and generated usable solutions to manage those hazards.”

“It was pleasing to see the positive interaction and discussion between WorkCover representatives, Business Advisory Officer Dave Sheerin and Country North Inspector David Farmer, and a diverse range of trade contractors from the residential construction sector,” Simon said.

HIA Executive Director Tim Mohr said, “This is an example of how industry can work together to generate a cooperative environment between builders, contractors and WorkCover. HIA looks forward to facilitating this process in the future.”

Watch this space for upcoming Toolbox Talks in a location near you.