Employed as Group HSEQ manager across both a Head Contractor and a Subcontractor entity have allowed me a great perspective of how things can become complicated and confusing to a PCBU where it comes to the application of PRR’s/ PRA’s, JSEAs / JSA’s, SWMS, WMS, SOPs, SDS and or PTW’s requested by a PC.
In the space of one simple paragraph, I have outlined how common language to a safety professional might become confusing to someone who is trying to understand their requirements and responsibilities as a subcontractor when working across the industry.
| Acronym | Simple Definition. |
| PC | Principal Contractor Company with management control of a workplace or project site. |
| PCBU | Person conducting Business or Undertaking, generally this is every company working on a site, each subcontractor entity will be deemed as a PCBU. |
These are simple enough terms to follow and WHS legislation requires that a company applies specific requirements in regard to how a PC and PCBU operate.
| Acronym | Simple Definition. |
| PRR / PRA | Project Risk Register / Project Risk Assessment – Used by a principal contractor to determine the potential risks and hazards associated with the construction of a project. |
| SWMS – | Safe Work Method Statement -A SWMS is required for any of the 19 High risk work activities as defined in WHS Act & Regulations. |
These are all relatively uniform terms, However, where this can get confusing is where a PC on one project and PC on another project interchange or use different terminology.
| Acronym | Simple Definition. |
| WMS and / or SOP | Work Method Statement or Standard Operating Procedure might be in place for work that is deemed not high risk. |
| JSA / JSEA’s | Job Safety Analysis / Job Safety Environmental Analysis – might be in place for a one-off activity that isn’t covered specifically in an additional Safety Document or process. |
| TBT / Prestart or Take 5. | a toolbox talk or prestart might be used to capture site specific risks or hazard for the day’s work activities, a take 5 might be used to capture the same in a reduced or easier to follow format.
A prestart checklist or take 5 can also be used to ensure that a machine is safe to use. |
| SDS | Safety Data Sheet or commonly referred to as material safety data sheet, this is supplied by the manufacturers or importers of a chemical or substance that is used on a construction site. |
| PTW | Permit to work – a permit to work system controlled by a principal contractor to determine how a specific work process will be managed, a hot works permit for example. |
There are a number of industry bodies that can provide additional information and resources to contractors to enable them to understand the requirements placed on them by a Principal Contractor.
