SAFE WORK PROCEDURES

CARPENTRY WORK
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Check with local council for specific requirements regarding fencing of sites, sediment control, and disposal of waste from building sites.
Task sequence
Identified hazards in task
Key processes to be followed
Precautions / PPE required
1. Site safety
Protection of site & public
Prevent unauthorised entry to worksite at all times by use of locked fencing. Construction site signage to warn
Security of tools & materials Remove tools from site when unattended, arrange deliveries to reduce theft.
of hazards and to advise of need
Vehicles
Provide clear access for deliveries, and park vehicles clear of work areas.
for protective equipment must be
Animals and children
Ensure that animals are controlled on site, keep children out of risk areas.
clearly displayed at entrance.
2. General precautions
Flying objects, noise
Prevent risk of injury to eyes and hearing from power tools and air tools.
Wear eye & hearing protection.
Falling objects
Protect persons from objects falling from height or being dropped.
Wear head and foot protection.
Rough material /sharp edges Prevent hand injuries when handling timber, concrete and metal materials.
Wear hand protection.
Over-exertion/strain injury
Provide assistance or use mechanical aids to carry and move heavy items.
Observe correct lifting practices.
3. Electrical equipment
Electric shock
All electrical equipment used on site must be tested and tagged before use.
Do not use faulty equipment.
Switchboards must be in weatherproof box and locked when site unattended. Test equipment every 3 months.
Safety switch must be used on all power outlets.
Test safety switch daily.
Ensure that guards are correctly fitted to saws, and tools are safe to use.
Wear eye & hearing protection.
4. Compressed air
Moving parts
Ensure that all guards are fitted to compressor before using.
Use compressor on level surface.
Check oiler daily, and drain water from filter regularly to protect tools.
Keep hands out of air stream.
Inspect nail guns and other air powered tools daily before use.
Ensure correct air pressure used.
Nail guns in use will pose risk of injury to eyes and hearing.
Wear eye & hearing protection.
5. Hand tools
Damage and breakage
Keep edge tools in good condition and properly sharpened for safe use.
Do not use faulty tools.
Inspect handles for wear or damage and replace if faulty.
Handles should be tight in socket.
Tools should be cleaned and dried, and lightly oiled to prevent corrosion.
Wipe off excess oil before storing.
Store tools in a way to protect from accidental damage and prevent injury.
Protect sharp edges and blades.
6. Excavators and mobile
Being struck by
Keep all persons other than those directly involved in the work away from
Provide barrier around work area
cranes
area where excavator or other mobile plant is in operation.
if other work is being carried out
Overturning
Ensure that machine stabilisers are placed on to firm ground, or use
in immediate vicinity.
stabiliser pads under feet where soft ground allows machine to tilt.
Electric shock
Exercise care when operating in the vicinity of overhead electrical wiring.
Use observer to warn of danger.
Cave-in
Check stability of trench and excavation near stabilisers regularly to assess
Do not enter trench if ground
risk of trench failure and risk of cave-in.
appears prone to failure.
Overloading
Select slings and fittings which are capable of taking load and will not
Competent persons only are to
damage loads being lifted and placed.
sling loads.
7. Excavations and
Persons falling
Prevent unauthorised or inadvertent entry into areas where persons may be
Provide temporary barriers around
trenching
at risk of falling into open excavations or trenches.
excavations near work areas.
Inspect excavations and trenches daily to ensure that they are safe to enter.
Do not enter an unsafe trench.
Trench collapse
Keep spoil and material at least 600mm away from edge of trenches.
Prevent objects falling into trench.
SWP282 Version 1.2

ASSA Pty Ltd

ThisSafeWorkProcedurewasgeneratedon29/11/2013byASSAPtyLtdforuseonlybyCityofDarwin.

www.assaohs.com.au

Page 1 of 2

SAFE WORK PROCEDURES

CARPENTRY WORK
Task sequence
8. Formwork

Identified hazards in task

Trips and falls
Over-exertion/strain injury
Hand injury
Trips and falls

9. Concrete work

Impalement
Over-exertion/strain injury
10. Environmental
protection

Sedimentation
Chemical pollution

11. Framing and trusses

Delivery and storage

Erection

12. Work at heights

Falls from heights

Key processes to be followed

Keep timber and stays for formwork clear of other work areas and materials.
Obtain assistance when carrying and placing long pieces of timber.
Avoid working in bent position for long periods when fixing forms.
Remove all nails and clean and oil forms immediately following stripping.
Store reinforcing steel and mesh away from other materials and work areas.
Avoid carrying reinforcing mesh over trenches and mesh in place.
Place protective caps or other device over exposed ends of starter bars.
Provide clear access for mixer trucks, boom pumps, and barrows.
Provide sufficient personnel to handle concrete delivery, use of vibrators and
movement of flexible drives, screeding, floating and finishing.
Provide suitable barrier around site to prevent soil being washed into drains.
Wash concrete mixers and tools, etc, away from drains and waterways.
Do not allow chemicals, paints, oils, etc, to enter drains or waterways.
Provide skip or bin for waste building materials and bags, drums, etc.
Provide clear access to site and storage area for vehicles and machinery.
Ensure that frames and trusses are stored in area which will not impede other
work being carried out.
Provide sufficient personnel or mechanical aids to handle and move frames
and trusses during erection.
Ensure frames and trusses are properly secured before leaving site.
Ladders used on construction work must be of an approved industrial type.
Persons carrying out work at heights should use ladders for access only.
Provide approved edge protection around perimeters of buildings and roofs.
Edge protection must be capable of preventing falls of persons and objects.
Use scissor lift or elevating work platform for temporary height access.
Provide approved scaffold for height work of a longer duration.

Precautions / PPE required

Wear impervious gloves or use
barrier cream to protect hands
when working with concrete or
oiling tools and forms.
Wear gloves when handling rough
or sharp materials.
Cover starter bar ends to
protect persons from injury.
Wear impervious gloves or use
barrier cream to protect hands.
Barrier should allow water flow.
Store hazardous materials in dry
protected storage away from heat.
Ensure sufficient space is
available for vehicles and plant to
safely manoeuvre and operate.
Observe correct lifting practices.
Avoid leaving loose items when
site is unattended.
Do not use domestic ladders.
Ensure that ladders are secured.
Edge protection and scaffolds over
4m in height must be erected by
competent persons only.
Use approved components only.

PRECAUTIONS:
The following precautions are to be observed where these
procedures are carried out.

SWP282 Version 1.2

ASSA Pty Ltd

ThisSafeWorkProcedurewasgeneratedon29/11/2013byASSAPtyLtdforuseonlybyCityofDarwin.

www.assaohs.com.au

Page 2 of 2