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leaving tailgate documents behind

  • leaving tailgate documents behind

    Posted by Robert Parton on 7 January 2025 at 4:38 pm

    Has anyone stopped using documents to record safety plans aka field risk assessments aka tailgates?

    I understand this would not meet the letter of SM-EI


    RM 4.1031

    (1.402)

    The supervisor shall prepare a worksite safety plan (with the engagement of workers) at the worksite, and ensure that all workers operating under their control at the worksite sign on to acknowledge their understanding and will comply with the requirements of the plan

    Robert Parton replied 1 month ago 3 Members · 8 Replies
  • 8 Replies
  • Shaun Colley

    Member
    8 January 2025 at 8:15 am

    Hi Robert,

    I would have thought that is exactly what a tailgate is supposed to be?

    A plan or tailgate is simply an identification of hazards and risks identified on site and the proposed control measures required to mitigate those risks, so the format is almost irrelevant.

    I would hope that all employees on site including sub-contractors are all part of the assessment process or at least presented with the final assessment to review, amend if required, and sign on to?

    The ‘supervisor’ is just any employee responsible on the day for the safety of the site, not the title of being a supervisor.

    Did you have a different interpretation?

  • Robert Parton

    Member
    8 January 2025 at 8:29 am

    Hi, I share the view that the format is irrelevant and the full involvement of all on site in a conversation about how people stay alive and unharmed is what the SM-EI is wanting.

    ‘Signing on’ is specific to a signature and this doesn’t happen with a conversation and only with a document.

    • Shaun Colley

      Member
      8 January 2025 at 9:00 am

      Do your teams not physically sign on?
      How else would you be able to provide evidence of engagement?

      Or are you using a recorded audio risk assessment tool?

      Some of our bigger jobs or sites will have a predetermined JSA/SWMS etc but the actual on-site risk assessment is always signed onto by the team, even with our digital platform (Risk Mentor).

  • Robert Parton

    Member
    8 January 2025 at 3:02 pm

    they physically sign on now, we will be running an experiment where they won’t be creating any record of the discussion.

  • Robert Parton

    Member
    8 January 2025 at 3:05 pm

    I don’t take a signature on a form to be evidence of engagement, this is the crux of the experiment. How do we give workers support for engagement without it becoming tick and flick. This is getting beyond the original question, however, while providing context to the question.

  • Robert Parton

    Member
    8 January 2025 at 3:06 pm

    I’m still interested in answers to the original question

    Has anyone stopped using documents to record safety plans?

  • Rodie Macrae

    Member
    9 January 2025 at 11:27 am

    I don’t think it would meet the requirements of the SM-EI or my own personal beliefs around safety plans.

    Conducting a Work Site Safety Plan (Tailgate) before commencing work on all sites ensures documented proof that teams have discussed potential hazards and engaged in meaningful discussions about safety. This process fosters a shared understanding of the required procedures and safety protocols for the task at hand.

    Without this documentation, there is no evidence that this critical safety step has been completed.

    I understand this can be challenging to keep workers focused and prevent the process from becoming a mere “tick-box exercise.”

    To address this, we conduct regular site visits and conversations to verify that Tailgates are being completed thoroughly and that team members fully understand the processes and risks involved.

    Also, all risk assessments are recorded in our RA App and reviewed regularly to identify patterns that may indicate superficial compliance. The app also enhances engagement by allowing teams to write risk assessments on a whiteboard and include Drawings, pictures, photos or other visuals to better explain the identified risks.

    My 2 cents worth 😁

    Also found these in the SM-EI

    RM 4.1051

    (1.304) All work party members shall acknowledge their understanding of all risks, controls and emergency responses before starting work and this acknowledgement shall be recorded.

    RM 3.1051

    (3.415) Any worker who arrives at a worksite after work has started shall:

    · report to the supervisor to be briefed

    · sign onto the worksite safety plan

    · sign onto any permits which they may be required to work under.

  • Robert Parton

    Member
    10 January 2025 at 2:07 pm

    I’d like to keep this thread focussed on the original post, I’m wanting to understand the experience of any that have taken this step.

    I’d be really keen to engage in a different thread to discuss the reliability of a static form to collect risk response in a dynamic workplace.

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