Author: G. Morgan
Abstract
Hatch Associates and Hail Creek Coal developed a Safety Management System for the Hail Creek Coal Project that delivered a step change in site safety management. It was built around hazard identification, risk assessment and risk minimisation or elimination, for every task being undertaken. Hatch was responsible for the implementation of the systems, and to verify compliance and measure effectiveness. Whilst encountering initial doubt and resistance, it was a proven success with the Project achieving, at the first attempt, an NSCA 5 Star rating for the safety management system and application. The railway portion of the project was also
awarded the Queensland Master Contractors’ Association 2002 Safety Award.
The impact of the safety program has had a substantial effect on individuals and contractor organisations and shown that leadership can and must change the approach to safety management in the future.
In many areas, the results should lift the current construction industry standards.
