Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00394:body:0:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00394
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 28691–31589

Consultation can occur by holding discussions with workers face-to-face talks or by phone, fax, email or other networks. Where workers are culturally or linguistically diverse or are inexperienced then face-to-face consultation may be more effective.

 For example, the builder or principal contractor can communicate with sub-contractors via face-to-face meetings, email, phone or fax, and request that information is passed on to the sub-contractor's workers. It is important that the builder follows up with the workers and the sub-contractors to check the information has been passed on, and that any feedback is provided to the builder. This may take place when the builder or his representative is on site. Other options include conducting toolbox talks; sending out information on-line and requesting feedback; or using telephone hook-ups.

Consultation may also occur through the builder talking to subcontractors and asking them to share information with the subcontractor's workers and pass any feedback back to the builder.

Toolbox talks or pre-start meetings can be used by both the builder and subcontractors to provide information to and receive feedback from workers as well as assist in raising the awareness of how construction work can be carried out in a safe and healthy manner.

At a toolbox talk, the PCBU can provide updates on any upcoming issues which may have an effect on health and safety, for example:
    * new high risk construction activities
    * changes in access and site security
    * changes which may affect members of the public.
When using toolbox talks it is considered best practice to:
    * keep a record of the topic covered, attendees and any feedback received;
    * organise a program of toolbox talks to give workers sufficient opportunity to provide input into how risks should be controlled; and
    * monitor the effectiveness of toolbox talks through safety outcomes (for example, control measures implemented and near misses).
Further guidance on consultation is available in the Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination.

2.                  Specific DUTIES RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION WORK

2.1              Persons conducting a business or undertaking

Designers

PCBUs who design a structure that is to be used, or could reasonably be expected to be used as, or at, a workplace have specific WHS duties.

There may be multiple designers who are involved in the design of a structure and have the same duties, for example draftspersons, building designers, architects and engineers. A builder could be a designer if they design a structure themselves or are involved in altering the design for a building, even after construction work has commenced.

In relation to construction work, a designer of a structure or any part of a structure that is to be constructed must give a written report to