WorkSafe has published new guidance on their website to assist employers in the construction industry to safely control the risks associated with the installation of plasterboard.
The installation of plasterboard can generate a wide range of hazards – examples of the types of hazards generated can include –
- slips, trips and falls
- falling from heights
- plant and equipment, such as elevated work platforms
- musculoskeletal disorders from hazardous manual handling
- crushing from stored plasterboard falling
- respiratory conditions caused by plaster dust
Guarding against these hazards requires the development of a thorough site risk assessment and a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) – both activities require consultation with the employees who perform the work. WorkSafe’s guidance page includes a link to a SWMS template and case studies about hazardous manual handling in construction.
The WorkSafe webpage also features an overview of the risks of different stages of plasterboard installation –
- delivering and unloading plasterboard
- site preparation
- working in teams
- working with cranes, forklifts and other plant
- moving plasterboard sheets at the worksite
- storing plasterboard
- measuring and cutting plasterboard
- installing plasterboard
- sanding plasterboard
WorkSafe provides employers with further information and practical guidance about working safely in general construction and in housing construction to ensure they are complying with their duties to provide and maintain a safe workplace and safe systems of work.
Read more: Working safely with plasterboard | WorkSafe Victoria