WHO NEEDS THIS LETTER?

This letter is required for a person who has been appointed as a Construction Site Safety Officer for the work site. They will be responsible for ensuring all construction work on the work site is conducted safely and in accordance with health and safety legislation.

WHAT IS THIS LETTER FOR?

This letter shows that a Construction Site Safety Officer has been appointed to ensure all construction work on a particular work site is conducted safely, according to the requirements of the OHS Act. The letter allows these persons to act under the authority of the Principal Contractor or Contractor in order to ensure that all construction work complies with health and safety legislation.

WHY IS THIS LETTER IMPORTANT?

This letter shows that a responsible person has been appointed to ensure that all construction work is conducted safely and is compliant with health and safety legislation. This provides evidence to an inspector that a basic structure is in place to ensure that health and safety legislation is complied with on the work site. This letter is relevant under section 8(5) of the Construction Regulations of the OHS Act and its availability shows that the employer is complying with these Regulations in respects of this appointment requirement.

VALIDITY

This letter is only applicable to a single site and needs to be signed by the Principal Contractor or Contractor (as the appointer) and by the appointee, dated and kept on record where it can be accessible to an inspector. A time period must be included for the appointment. Each appointee must have the relevant experience or accredited training and must be registered with a statutory body approved by the Chief Inspector in order to be competent to perform these duties. The appointee cannot oversee safety on more than one work site. 

HOW DOES THIS WORK AS A CONTROL MEASURE?

In the hierarchy of controls this letter forms part of the administrative control measures which should be in place to assist in complying with health and safety legislation on the work site. This letter ensures that a responsible person is appointed to ensure that all construction work is performed in compliance with health and safety legislation.