Annual Report 2006 (main body) - RTA - NSW Government

A five year program to promote healthy
lifestyles was implemented in the financial
year as an extra dimension to the RTA’s safety
culture. Stage 1 of the AlphaOne Integrated
Workplace Health and Fitness Program has
been implemented for 19 work groups
across NSW with 400 staff from road
services, motor registries, vehicle regulations
and the senior executive attending health
forums that link personal health and
behaviours with workplace risks. More than
80 per cent of participants have taken up the
offer of a fitness assessment with 94 per cent
stating that they intend to take action as a
result of their health and fitness assessment.
OHS program delivery
The task of delivering OHS programs is a
cooperative effort between OHS Branch,
regionally based OHS facilitators and line
managers and their staff. The 2006 Safety
Summit for Road Services Managers
confirmed the effectiveness of the OHS
improvement action plan which included
better incident management, a focus on the
role of line managers and supervisors and
the implementation of lead indicators for
OHS. The Executive supported bedding
down the improvement plan initiatives in
TRAFFIC
CONTROL AT
WORKSITES
A corporate steering committee was
established in late 2005 to develop a
comprehensive strategy for improving
traffic control at worksites, leading to
increased safety for road workers
and contractors.The strategy will deliver
increased awareness and importance of
traffic control at RTA worksites, a traffic
control specification review, increased
public awareness and enhanced
enforcement activities.
Chris Mihellis installing containment for lead paint removal on the lower chord of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
2006–07, supported by greater awareness
of OHS situations. The OHS Branch has
a key role in measuring the extent of
OHS management system implementation
through audits and inspections.
Contractor safety
Working closely with its contractors, the
RTA continues to seek high standards of
safety. The RTA Executive OHS committee
closely monitors contractor safety
performance through site inspections,
systems audits and a monthly review of
OHS performance indicators. The RTA
reassessed all principal contractors’
corporate OHS management systems in
2005–06, developed a suite of model
documents and provided internet access for
contractors and local councils to the RTA
OHS policy framework and associated
information. RTA principal contractors
continue to perform below the national lost
time injury frequency rate and well below
that of NSW. Despite much effort two
contractor deaths occurred at RTA
worksites in 2005–06. Each death was fully
investigated by both the RTA and the
contractors to identify the root cause and
learn from the experience.
OHS improvement in the
civil construction industry
Work continues between the RTA and local
government to improve OHS performance
in road construction and maintenance. The
local councils' workshops, begun in 2004–05,
have continued this year. The program
includes hazard specific workshops to
promote better understanding and
compliance with OHS requirements on civil
construction worksites.
Details of injuries and prosecutions
OHS incidents
Working in traffic continues to be the
most significant risk of serious injury to
RTA employees and contractors. A risk
assessment approach has been implemented
that supports increased awareness of
hazards and changing local conditions. EnSite
risk assessments are conducted before the
start of all major road projects. Similarly,
maintenance crews are also conducting
risk assessments prior to commencing
remedial works. Standard traffic management
techniques are being augmented by feedback
from local knowledge incorporated in the
site risk assessments.
The most common cause of injuries across
70 VALUE FOR MONEY