Graham Coyle Director of Federal Construction Management

Building and Construction is a naturally dangerous profession and all industry participants must comply with governing safety provisions including stringent Occupational Health and Safety laws. Employers must be fully aware of their obligations under safety legislation, including codes of practice and associated Australian Standards.

"Employees within the building and construction industry performs high risks activities on a daily basis. Despite the industry contributing only 5% to Australian Grose Domestic Product, the industry has one of the highest incident rates per 100 employees," said Director of Federal Construction Management Graham Coyle.

Graham said construction sites can combine a number of potentially dangerous elements.

"Research shows the main work practices contributing to workplace fatalities are working at heights, contact with electricity and in working with moving objects such as plant. On average this equates to 50 fatalities in building construction industry each year."

Federal Construction Management aims to assist employers in improving their safety standards, systems, procedures and culture for the holistic delivery of a safe work environment.

"Systems need to be practical and simple for the best effect and to enable the workers to understand their safety responsibilities which includes them knowing the hazards associated with a given activity and be able to assess the risks associated, then implement control measures that make to activity safer to perform."

Graham has worked in the industry for more than 25 years and has seen Occupational Health and Safety standards gradually improve.

"In recent years NSW has introduce the third most stringent Occupational Health and Safety and Workers Compensation laws in the world, and these laws have been strictly enforced by the regulator WorkCover together in courts of law, this has definitely contributed to improvements in the building and construction safety."

The ACT has also experienced significant work safety changes. In January 2003, the ACT the government made it a prerequisite for all companies contracted to them for certain categories of Capital Works Projects to have adequate Occupational Health and Safety systems in place.

"As the government provides significant work opportunities, employers in Canberra addressed gaps to ensure compliance through improving their safety standards. Employers are starting to focus on the welfare of their employees and in turn are becoming more aware of their Occupational Health and Safety obligations to provide them with adequate information, instruction, training and supervision together with provision of the right equipment and resources which leads to a safe workplace."

Graham is often approached to assess a company’s overall compliance to industry safety standards including environmental risks and compliance. He believes a safe workplace improve employer morale and also makes the business financially stronger.

"Some people are reluctant to change because of the costs in relation to providing safety but if it's effectively implemented it will make the company more financially viable through more reliable plant and equipment, less accidents and incidents, potentially lower Workers Compensation Insurance premiums and overall increased productivity."

Graham enjoys working in Occupational Health and Safety because it has resulted in the direct improvement clients’ welfare and lives. Cord Excavations are an excellent example of what can be achieved through commitment at all levels of an organisation. In three years, they have not only established and implanted a systematic approach to safety, they have reached a level of best practice and has set a benchmark for the industry.

"Most employers want to improve their overall capability and level of safety compliance, my main interest is working with these clients who have committed to improving the standards of Occupational Health and Safety for their employees and the long term benefits of their companies."