How to improve Lead Indicators, decrease Lag Indicators and record zero Lost-time Injuries

How Recovery Partners helped Melrose Contracting improve Lead Indicators, decrease Lag Indicators and record zero Lost-time Injuries

Background

Melrose Contracting is a roofing, fascia and guttering contractor based in Kings Park, Sydney, with additional locations in Newcastle and Canberra. They hold some major contracts for housing construction in NSW and manage many subcontractors accordingly. These subcontractors are engaged in some high-risk work, including working at heights. Melrose Contracting had an internal WHS Manager on their team, but he retired about 12 months ago. This is when Shane Cini, Melrose Contracting Director, contacted Recovery Partners. Gaye Cameron is the Senior Safety Consultant who was appointed to assist Melrose Contracting.

Challenge

Melrose initially reached out to Recovery Partners to conduct a Gap Analysis in their WHS management system (WHSMS). They were seeking a general health check of their WHSMS and evaluating how to meet their WHS requirements after the departure of their WHS Manager. They had another WHS organisation assisting them at this time. Approach Gaye undertook the WHS Gap Analysis for Melrose Contracting and found some areas that needed work. ‘The issues we found weren’t major, but they did need to be addressed,’ says Gaye. ‘They were like potholes that needed filling. They weren’t much on their own, but they could develop into something bigger if they weren’t fixed.’ Once the analysis was completed, Gaye gave Shane at Melrose a proposal for how to address the issues. The proposal included the option of engaging Recovery Partners for two days per week to conduct ongoing WHS maintenance tasks and upgrade the WHSMS. Shane accepted this offer, and Gaye, together with Louis Maratheftis at Recovery Partners, began to work with Melrose Contracting on this basis. The services that Gaye and Lou provide Melrose include:

• Conducting Site Safety Inspections at various Melrose construction sites
• Developing a construction Safe Work Method Statement
• Upgrading the WHSMS to meet ISO 45001 standards
• Upgrading training and development procedures
• Upgrading safety documentation
• Establishing effective reporting tools for management to track WHS KPIs.

Outcome Gaye and Louis have developed a great working relationship with Melrose Contracting and are confident that Shane appreciates their efforts. ‘Shane’s very proactive about safety, one of the most proactive people I’ve worked with,’ says Gaye. ‘He’s always said that he doesn’t want to be kept awake at night worrying about safety risks to his team, so he was happy to do whatever it took to get that peace of mind.’ Since Recovery Partners have been working with Melrose Contracting, there have been several measurable benefits to them, including improved Lead Indicators, decreased Lag Indicators and zero lost-time injuries. ‘Melrose have also enjoyed the flow-on effect these measures have had on their reputation and credibility with Principal Contractors,’ Gaye says. ‘There can be no doubt that they take safety seriously.’

Gaye and Lou have also worked with the Melrose team to improve internal communication and comms with subcontractors. ‘We’ve been able to have chats with site supervisors about near misses or potential incidents to make sure they’re handled correctly and that’s given them the opportunity to raise anything they’re wondering about.’ Thanks to Shane Cini and all the team at Melrose Contracting, Gaye and Lou enjoy working with you and are proud of the success you’ve achieved together!

If you’d like a Senior Safety Consultant at Recovery Partners to conduct a Gap Analysis of your WHS systems or advise you on any other WHS matters, get in touch. Our services are available nationwide. For more information about our services contact us.

Our consultants love to have a chat, so go ahead and give us a call on 1300 OHS RTW (647 789) or email enquiries@rrp.com.au