The spotlight on site supervision is on now with WorkSafe inspectors visiting construction sites, as part of the ongoing ‘Back to Basics’ campaign and the current Supervising for Safety focus which commenced in May 2010.

On 19 February 2010, the Director of WorkSafe’s Construction and Utilities Program, Chris Webb said, “Whether you’re a principal contractor, site supervisor, contractor or tradesperson, everyone has a role to play in site safety.  All parties must understand their safety responsibilities and those of others involved in a construction project."

For supervisors, maintaining site safety is non-negotiable.  If there’s an issue, everyone must be able to position to speak up before something bad happens.  To assist WorkSafe in their endeavors’ the MPMSAA and the PTEU with the support of Work Safe Victoria initially developed a training course for leading hands in the Plumbing Industry. 

Because of its success the course was recently modified to suit the needs of supervisors in all of the trades within the construction industry including plumbers, electricians, plasterers, painters, carpet layers, carpenters etc.

The focus of this one day course is to give supervisors, leading hand(s) or the person in charge of 2 to 10 workers, the necessary skills to manage the safety issues within the group as well making the individual aware of the responsibilities one has when managing a workforce.

The course will include a number of activities that will challenge the participants in identifying workplace hazards, “on the job” conflict as well as looking at various case studies.

The course is a free of charge with lunch provided. Each course is limited to 12 participants with a certificate of attendance issued.

Courses will be delivered at the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) in Brunswick and a number of locations in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Courses initially commence at PICAC on 8 February 2010 and will run through to December 2010.