Occupational Health & Safety Management System Accreditation
Tenderers for all NSW government construction projects must comply with the NSW Government OHS Management System Guidelines.
The Guidelines require that for all contracts valued at $1million or more, or as determined by an agency, the tenderers must provide evidence of a corporate OHS Management System accredited by a NSW Government construction agency.
which will assist you in meeting the requirements of:
- Australian Standard for OHS Management Systems (AS4801)
- NSW OHS Act 2000
- NSW OHS Regulation 2001, including Chapter 8 Construction Work
Gaining Accreditation for a Corporate OHS Management System
Construction contractors and consultants seeking to gain accreditation of their Corporate OHS Management System should review the NSW Government Occupational Health and Safety Management System Guidelines (4th Edition).
To assist in the review process, a Checklist can be found at "Appendix A - Assessment of Corporate OHS Management Systems (pgs31-34). It is recommended that the completed checklist be used as an index for the Corporate OHS Management System.
Since December 2009, accreditation under the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme (Office of the Federal Safety Commission [FSC]) is deemed to comply with the requirements of the NSW Government OHS Management System Guidelines, Edition 4. A register of organisations with FSC accreditation can be found at www.fsc.gov.au.
When a contractor or consultant Corporate OHS Management System addresses all OHS management system elements in the Guidelines, they should contact one of the below NSW government construction agencies to make arrangements to submit their Corporate OHS Management System for accreditation:
NOTE: All agencies charge a processing fee of $1200 to assess an organisation's Corporate OHS Management System. A further fee may be charged if the accreditation application needs to go through further assessment.
Changes to the Accreditation Scheme
From 1 September 2010, construction contractors will receive accreditation for the OHSMS for a fixed period. At the end of this period, organisations will need to seek accreditation again, otherwise it will lapse.
Following a successful desktop audit, organisations will be accredited for an initial period of 3 years. Progressing to a second three-year renewal period will be dependent on an organisation demonstrating successful implementation of its accredited OHSMS and / or EMS during the initial three-year period. The performance review takes into account accredited organisations undertaking government and non-government work.
A Practice Guide has been prepared to assist agencies undertaking accreditation and to provide industry with an understanding of the changes.
Organisations can obtain free one-on-one workplace safety advice and assistance from a large business in their industry through WorkCover's mentor program.
Site Safety Auditors - Prequalified Consultants
NSW Procurement maintains a panel of consultants who can be engaged by NSW government agencies to undertake audits in accordance with the NSW Government Guidelines for Auditing OHS Management Plans (4th Edition).
Register of Construction Contractors and Consultants for OHS
NSW Procurement maintains a register of companies with NSW government-accredited Corporate OHS Management Systems. Agencies should also check the Australian Government Building and Construction (Federal Safety Commission) website for information on OHS accredited organisations.
Disclaimer of Liability - Registered Contractors / Consultants
The NSW Department of Finance and Services does not accept any liability arising from the use of any company listed on the register or from the exclusion of any company because they are not listed on the register. Any person or organisation using a company or organisation on the register, or refusing to use a company because they are not listed on the register, does so at their own risk. The register does not replace due diligence in the selection of a service provider.
Other Resources:
Legislation:
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001
Commerce Publications:
How to prepare a site specific Safety Management Plan and Safe Work Method Statements
The NSW Government Guidelines for Auditing Project Management OHS Management Plan (4th Edition) June 2004
WorkCover publications:
WorkCover Safety in Design Tools
WorkCover Occupational Health Safety and Environment Management Plan
Subby Pack
Other Links:
WorkCover NSW
WorkCover Construction Publications
WorkCover Safety Alerts
Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner
Australian Safety and Compensation Council