Over the last two years there has rightly been considerable focus by stakeholders with an interest in OHS on the development of harmonised legislation. Master Builders supports the harmonisation process provided that it results in a regulatory framework that is fair and reasonable for employers, and which ensures that employers are clear about how to meet their OHS obligations.

Whether the harmonisation process will achieve this goal remains to be seen as there is still considerable work to be done throughout the remainder of 2010 to develop regulations and codes of practice.

While creating the right legislative framework is an important part of the OHS picture, it is the efforts by managers and workers to put in place practical safety strategies that are paying dividends when it comes to improved safety outcomes in the building and construction industry.

Master Builders has recently updated the statistical analysis contained in Building a Safer Future: Master Builders Occupational Health and Safety Policy Blueprint 2009-2015. The most recent data show that there has been a significant reduction in both injuries and fatalities in the building and construction industry in the five year period from 2003-04 to 2007-08:

• The incidence rate for serious claims per 1,000 employees is down 22 per cent.
• The incidence rate for compensated fatalities is down 45 per cent. 
• The incidence rate for compensated fatalities related to traumatic injury only is down by 14 per cent.

The latest data also shows that the building and construction industry is on track to achieve the injury and fatality reduction targets in the National Occupational Health and Safety Strategy. The National OHS Strategy was agreed to by all Australian governments, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Council of Trade Unions in 2002. It sets clear and ambitious goals for OHS, including targets for reductions in injury and fatalities. Master Builders is committed to the National OHS Strategy and to achieving the improvements in performance that it establishes.

The construction industry performance against the targets is shown in the graph below.

Click to enlarge