Merger's Safety Initiative
With an ever increasing demand on safety in the workplace, Merger Contracting is committed to both practising safe systems of work and constantly developing new systems that will improve safety on all job sites, in our depot and out on the road.
Our aim is to man each working asphalt crew with both safety personnel and at least 2 Senior First Aiders, with training also provided to include traffic control, licensing and safety with powerlines and other potential hazards.
Training is an important part of safety and a much larger emphasis has been placed on this in recent years. Crew members are subject to Competency Testing both internally by our own people and externally through accredited persons and clients such as Boral and Pioneer. Training programs have been developed to enhance the "on-the-job" experience our crews receive and constantly being reviewed to help determine which areas need extra and specialist attention. This training is carried out by competent, experienced supervisors and is coupled with the completion of Safe Work Procedures.
Safety Checks are carried out on a monthly basis with incentives in the way of bonuses, offered to the safest crew. Safety Audits are conducted bi-annually, using checklists and recording systems developed with the assistance of outside safety personnel who are also leaders in their field. Our Transport Department is audited by an accredited officer for Main Roads annually, ensuring the sustainability of our accreditation.
Drug and Alcohol Analysis is carried out on a fairly regular basis, a minimum of 6 times per year. This is done randomly and at irregular intervals. Merger employees are also subject to such testing by our clients, which may take place at any time.
Safety Meetings occur monthly and involve ALL Merger employees. It is here that we are able to draw particular attention to any issues that are on-going, including discussing incidents, near misses or any other kind of situation that may have arisen over the past month. Our Merger Safety Officer has an opportunity to pass on relevant information that has come from our client's Safety Meetings here, as she also sits in their monthly meetings. This is also a forum for suggestions and ideas with every employee given an opportunity to participate in the evolution of Merger Contracting's Safety Initiative.
