Contractor safety
This page provides work health and safety (WHS) information for contractors working at ACT Health-controlled workplaces. The information on this page is in addition to the WHS information included in:
- contracts
- agreements
- work orders
- quotes or booking requests
- risk assessments
- WHS management plans.
WHS policy
The ACT Health Work Health and Safety Policy details our commitment to your safety.
WHS induction
Before starting work at an ACT Health workplace, you must complete a site specific WHS induction. The WHS induction may be provided by:
- the ACT Health contact for the work
- a safety contact officer for the workplace
- a contractor site manager who has been inducted into the workplace safety requirements.
If you will be working in a laboratory area, you must also complete a laboratory safety induction.
Your responsibilities
While at work, you, must:
- Take care of your own health and safety.
- Take care that your acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others.
- Comply, so far as you are reasonably able, with any WHS instruction, including:
- working within your areas of WHS competency
- caring about the workplace and keeping the workplace well organised
- looking out for other workers and reporting any hazards immediately
- reporting safety incidents and injuries
- raising WHS concerns with your supervisor, or a health and safety representative.
- Co operate with WHS policies or procedures.
WHS procedures
Contactors must:
- Follow any requirements specified in the contract, agreement, work order or other engagement communication.
- Only start work when a Disturbance or Interference with Services, Safety, or Traffic (DISST) Form has been approved.
- Only start work that impacts on the fire and evacuation system when a Fire Protection System Impairment Permit has been approved by an authorised person.
- Give us information about the scope of work that will be done and the risks to contracted workers, ACT Health staff, visitors and people near the workplace.
- Implement the requirements of the WHS management plan for construction and maintenance work valued at $250,000 or more.
- Make sure that safe work method statements (SWMS) and high-risk work licences are in place for construction and maintenance work. We define construction as any work done in connection with the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting-out, commissioning, renovation, repair, maintenance, refurbishment, demolition, decommissioning or dismantling of a structure or building.
- Work in accordance with standard operating procedures, the manufacturer’s or supplier’s instructions and the WHS regulation for the maintenance of plant and equipment.
- Work with ACT Health staff to ensure that there is a clear understanding of who has control of a workplace or a specific activity at every point in a contracted process. You will also provide a handover of the worksite to ACT Health staff when control is handed over.
- Supply and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Stay away from an ACT Health workplace if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.
- Comply with the ACT Health’s smoke free arrangements and the ACT Public Service Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy.
- Report all safety incidents or injuries to the ACT Health contact officer.
WHS permits, licences, hazards, hazardous chemicals and work protection
Contactors must:
- Give us information about any interruption to building services, including electrical supply.
- Make sure that, when electrical circuits need to be isolated, the specific impact has been identified and communicated to the ACT Health safety contact. You must also make sure that the safety contact has completed the consultation process with affected managers and staff.
- Only do high risk construction work, for example working at heights of more than 2 metres, in accordance with the SWMS.
- Maintain confined space entry or hot work permits for work done inside any building or structure where space and heat are potential risks to worker safety.
- Only permit workers who hold a current licence, for example for electrical work, to do work that requires a licence.
- Work on live electrical equipment only when the requirements of the WHS regulation are met.
- Maintain barriers and separation distances from other workers, visitors and people who are near the workplace.
- Implement risk controls where the work will impact on other people, for example by creating dust or noise.
- Not disturb asbestos containing materials. An asbestos management plan can be obtained from the ACT Health safety contact.
- Make sure that any person who is cutting material containing silica uses a water delivery system that supplies a continuous feed of water over the cutting area to suppress airborne crystalline and silica produced by the process.
- Tell ACT Health if you are bringing hazardous chemicals or dangerous substances into the workplace.
- On request, provide the safety data sheets (SDS) and safety procedures for the use of a hazardous chemical or dangerous substance.
- Make sure that all workers have completed construction industry induction training for any construction and maintenance work.
Security, storage and amenities
Contactors must:
- Have pre-approval to store any plant, equipment or supplies on site.
- Co-ordinate any deliveries to the workplace with the directorate contact officer.
- Maintain the security of the workplace. This includes following security instructions, keeping keys and passes secure, reporting any losses; keeping access points secure, returning keys and passes before leaving the facility.
- Maintain access to restricted areas such as plant rooms, electrical cupboards and laboratory areas.
- Keep toilets and kitchens clean and in working order.
- Park vehicles in approved locations only.
First aid and automated external defibrillators
First aid officers and first aid kits are available in ACT Health workplaces. However, businesses doing construction and maintenance work are required to provide first aid for their workers.
Automated external defibrillators (AED) are available in ACT Health workplaces. The ACT Health contact officer for the work will point out the locations of AEDs.
An AED can be used by trained or untrained people. The AED is designed to automatically diagnose life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and can treat the condition through defibrillation.
The AED will not operate unless it detects a condition that requires defibrillation. Once turned on, the AED will provide voice prompts to guide the user in how to operate the device. Anyone is authorised to access and use the AED if someone is having a heart related problem, such as chest pain.
Emergency management plans
Evacuation diagrams are posted in ACT Health workplaces. The evacuation diagrams show the location of exits, the assembly point and fire equipment. The ACT Health contact officer can provide you a copy of the workplace emergency plan on request.
In the event of a fire or other emergency, you must follow the announcements and alarm tones broadcast through the building. Wardens will also give instructions. If you are in the building outside of business hours, the fire and emergency system will operate automatically and you must follow all announcements and alarm tones.
More information
For more information go to the ACTPS Managing Work Health and Safety Obligations with Contractors Policy.
You can also email HDHR@act.gov.au.
