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A Case Study on Training, Audits, and Compliance at the Parliament House of Victoria

March 7, 2024 by Steve McLeod

Our Experience with the Parliament House of Victoria: Ensuring Confined Space Safety Compliance

At Fire & Safety Australia (FSA), we pride ourselves on delivering tailored, comprehensive safety solutions that adhere to the latest standards and regulations. One such project involved working closely with the Parliament House of Victoria to develop and implement a robust confined space safety management system. The challenge was that the Parliament House had outdated procedures and policies that did not meet the requirements set by the Victorian Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Regulations and the relevant Australian Standards.

Fast Facts:

  • FSA assisted the Parliament House of Victoria in implementing a confined space safety management system.
  • An on-site audit of over 50 spaces was conducted to ensure all spaces were accurately identified and assessed for confined space risks.
  • FSA provided comprehensive training, including practical confined space safety exercises.

The Challenge:

The Parliament House did not have any up-to-date confined space safety procedures in line with current VIC OH&S regulations and Australian standards. This lack of compliant procedures created potential risks for personnel working in these spaces, which could lead to dangerous outcomes if not properly addressed. FSA was called upon to fill this gap and ensure that the facility adhered to the latest safety protocols.

Our Approach:

To meet the stringent requirements of VIC OH&S regulations and improve the overall safety standards at Parliament House, FSA took the following steps:

  1. Development of a Confined Space Safety Policy: We crafted a comprehensive confined space safety policy that complied with the VIC OH&S regulations. This policy was designed to ensure that any work conducted in or around confined spaces met strict safety guidelines and risk management practices.
  2. Confined Space Procedures: We developed specific safety procedures for confined space work, outlining detailed protocols for identifying, entering, and working within confined spaces. These procedures also ensured that all personnel understood their roles and responsibilities, minimising the risk of accidents.
  3. Job Safety Analysis Worksheet: A key part of our safety plan was the creation of a job safety analysis worksheet tailored specifically for confined space work. This worksheet allowed teams to evaluate each task and identify potential hazards before beginning any work, ensuring a thorough risk assessment was carried out each time.
  4. Confined Space Entry Permit: A confined space entry permit was also introduced to ensure that only authorised personnel could enter these spaces. This permit was designed in accordance with the VIC OH&S regulations and included safety checks that had to be completed before anyone entered a confined space.
  5. On-Site Audit & Risk Assessments: FSA conducted a comprehensive audit of over 50 spaces at Parliament House, reviewing each space to assess whether it qualified as a confined space. For each identified confined space, we performed a detailed risk assessment, which was documented in the confined space register.
  6. Training & Practical Exercises: To ensure that the new systems were properly understood, FSA provided tailored confined space entry training for all personnel. This training included both theoretical knowledge and practical confined space exercises, ensuring that everyone involved was equipped with the necessary skills to work safely within these areas.

Effective Solutions for Ongoing Support:

FSA’s prompt and efficient completion of the confined space safety management system allowed the Parliament House to operate within full compliance with VIC OH&S regulations. Not only were all tasks completed within budget and on time, but we also provided ongoing support to ensure that the safety management system remained effective and up-to-date. Our training sessions ensured that staff members were not only knowledgeable but confident in their ability to manage confined space risks.

At FSA, we understand the importance of safety in high-risk environments, especially in sectors like aviation, defence, and government. We have extensive experience conducting confined space courses, risk assessments, and safety audits, and we continue to offer these services to organisations that require expert advice and guidance on confined space safety.

Conclusion:

FSA has successfully delivered a tailored confined space safety management system to the Parliament House of Victoria, ensuring compliance with VIC OH&S regulations and Australian standards. By conducting audits, writing safety policies and procedures, and providing specialised training, we have helped Parliament House establish a safer environment for staff working in confined spaces.

Additional Relevant Courses For Your Organisation

Fire and Safety Australia offers a wide range of safety training courses tailored for compliance:

Contact Us Today

If you are looking for tailored safety training solutions for your establishment, please contact us today. Fire and Safety Australia is committed to ensuring your workforce is well-equipped to manage safety risks efficiently and effectively.

Please contact us for the contact details for this client for a verbal reference if needed.

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