Why not focus on the upstream?

I ran across this….http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/newsroom/Pages/illawarra-biggest-construction-project.aspx

Where is the developer and designer in the mix?  Where is the upstream planning? Why highlight the constructor?  What message does this send to other constructors??

Interestingly, it says that “WorkCover acknowledges that those dealing with risks on a daily basis are well-placed to assist with the development of specific and effective work health and safety solutions and by working collaboratively, we aim to deliver practical, cost effective solutions which provide sustainable improvements to work health and safety, injury management and return to work programs within the highest risk industry segments.”

The first part is great….workers are indeed well-placed to assist but rarely get involved in design and planning where they would truly have impact…their sphere of influence is limited and a paradigm shift is needed.  The best they (WorkCover and the constructor) can do is implement lower order controls or (usually) more expensive re-design and retrofitted engineering controls.  Furthermore, how about considering the operations and maintenance folks of this structure.  I would have thought that the folks who invented CHAIR,  a tool we think is absolutely a great idea, would be promoting a more holistic view of safe construction…fascinating is all…

The hierarchy of controls and the ideal spot to utilize them are thrown out the window.  Now, maybe they did do all those things, but why not highlight them???