Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00394:body:0:p59
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00394
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 258827–261789

define construction work that is carried out on or near:
    * pressurised gas distribution mains or piping
    * chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
    * energised electrical installations
as high risk construction work and a SWMS must be prepared before this work commences.
Before work commences, the principal contractor must find out what services are at or near the location where the work is to be done that could create a risk if contacted or damaged. Services may be underground or hidden in floor slabs and behind walls.

Underground essential services
Underground essential services use pipes, cables or other associated plant located underground.
Regulation 304: Before commencing excavation work, a person conducting a business
or undertaking with management or control of the workplace must take all reasonable steps
to obtain current underground services information that relates to the workplace and areas adjacent to the workplace. The person must provide this information to all persons carrying out
the excavation work and ensure it is readily available for inspection under the WHS Act until the excavation is completed or, if there is a notifiable incident relating to the excavation, 2 years after the incident occurs.
General location of underground services can be determined by a number of different methods, including:
    * contacting organisations that can assist in locating underground services
      (e.g. DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG)
    * examining the records held by the person commissioning the construction work.
Relevant information includes:
    * the essential services that may be affected
    * the location, including depth, of any pipes, cables or other plant associated with the affected essential services
    * any conditions on the proposed excavation work.
All persons carrying out the excavation work must have regard to that information during the work.
Further information on how to manage the risks associated with excavation work is available
in the Code of Practice: Excavation Work.

Facilities at a construction workplace

Regulation 41: A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, so far as
is reasonably practicable:
    * the provision of adequate facilities for workers, including toilets, drinking water, washing facilities and eating facilities, and
    * that the facilities are maintained in good working order and are clean, safe and accessible.
Given the often temporary and dynamic nature of construction workplaces, how these facilities are provided and who provides them will vary at workplaces that carry out construction work.
When providing facilities, all relevant matters must be considered, including:
    * the nature of the work being carried out at the workplace
    * the nature of the hazards at the workplace
    * the size, location and nature of the workplace
    * the number and composition of the workers at the workplace.
Affected workers must also be consulted when