Case Study
Health & Safety
Background
Stokes Safety recently had the privilege of enhancing safety practices by providing comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) auditing services for a respected Owners Corporation Management organisation. This organisation plays a significant role in delivering Owners Corporation Management services to over 60 accommodation facilities in central Melbourne, which include a range of properties from high-rise buildings with over 70 levels that combine retail and accommodation, to single-level apartment complexes in the outlying suburbs of metropolitan Melbourne.
Our engagement focused on the common areas managed by the facilities manager, widely known as OC1, which encompasses shared services such as car parking, swimming pools, gyms, outdoor living and recreation areas, plant rooms and equipment, and fire services.
Our qualified OHS auditors conducted thorough site visits to systematically identify, document, and photograph hazards and risks, as well as assess the existing controls to mitigate these identified risks.
The methodology involved comprehensive site visits to examine all areas, assess the risk profile of each identified hazard, and have open discussions with the onsite Facilities and/or Building Manager regarding the OHS management system in place.
Additionally, our evaluation included a broad examination of the OHS management system at the facility, focusing on aspects such as contractor management and induction, high risk activity management, work permit systems, and the storage and handling of hazardous materials.
Challenges
The assessment referred to the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, the Victorian Occupational Health, and Safety Regulations 2017, and applicable WorkSafe compliance codes, which mandate that individuals responsible for the control and management of a workplace must identify and manage risks. Major findings from this assessment highlighted gaps in the OH&S/WHS management system.
We recommended corrective measures to be implemented, which will help achieve higher
regulatory compliance and improve the overall safety environment for employees and visiting contractors.
Inspection Process
All low, medium, and high-risk findings, along with recommendations, are listed in the risk
assessment section and assigned a risk rating. This rating helps to determine the urgency of implementing the suggested corrective measures and their implications. Once the suggested measures are implemented, a residual risk rating is provided.
The categories evaluated during the site inspection include:
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Managing Safety – Consultation
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Plant equipment and plant rooms
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Chemicals/Dangerous Goods – storage and handling
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Work environment
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Manual handling activities
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Asbestos management
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Electrical safety
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High risk activities: Hot works, Confined Spaces, Work at Heights
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Emergency procedures and First Aid
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Fire and evacuation systems
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Incident reporting
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Building maintenance
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Other identified issues
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Utilising advanced auditing software, we generated consistent and professional reports that are clear and comprehensible. Each identified hazard is listed along with an assessment of the current controls in place and recommended measures to reduce the risk profile of the identified hazard.
These detailed reports not only assist our clients in adhering to their legal and ethical obligations but also empower them to take proactive steps in identifying, assessing, and managing workplace risks.