Safety Comes First

At the end of day, we all want to go home to be with our families - they are the reason we come to work. Building and construction is one of the most high-risk environments a worker can be in. The CFMEU urge all members to take care out on site.

Don’t Let Heavy Lifting Be a Burden

Care needs to be taken when lifting overhead loads. It is a dangerous task when you are lifting loads, sometimes over the heads of workmates. Time must be taken to ensure that the equipment is in good working order and is suitable for the job at hand. Make sure that there are no cut corners by lifting loads that are too heavy for the equipment or trying to get more done in a day than is safe.

Precast safety before programs

Programs set too tight can be a safety issue on site. As the work progresses safety measures may be neglected in order meet the deadline. The safest way to complete the job is the best way, so make sure when lifting precast elements:

• All lifting gear, including chains, clutches, lifting inserts etc. are checked and marked/identified prior to use.
• Riggers need to follow the mark-up plan and the rigging/lifting diagrams provided.
• Make sure loads are being lifted correctly,
• Inspect all precast loads, before they come off the truck, for birth certificates
• Take the time to check each precast has had the appropriate time to cure and are not green.

Take your time, do it safe and go home.

Everyone has been under pressure at one time or another to get things done but doing dangerous tasks quickly means the risks increase. By taking your time to make sure you are doing the job safely you are protecting not just yourself but also your workmates and, in the end, your family. Training with scissor lifts and cranes is available at the CFMEU Training and Education Unit (03) 9341 3444.

Article written by Elias Spernovasilas - Vic Assistant Secretary, CFMEU