Apprenticeships

Safety service Master Builders Apprenticeship Safety Service is well received by Training Employers

Master Builders Apprenticeship Service (MBAS) recognises the importance of good safety management practices to minimise the risk of harm or injury to apprentices. MBAS have developed and launched the MBAS Safety Service to assist Training Employers in the implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of their safety management practices. This is a free service for all Training Employers and is available throughout the period of the engagement of a MBAS apprentice or trainee and every Training Employer is engaged in the Safety Service from the commencement of the process of taking on a MBAS apprentice or trainee. Before a Training Employer can take on a MBAS apprentice or trainee, they must satisfy the MBAS Minimum Safety Standard. MBAS will review the current safety practices of each Training Employer and if gaps are identified between their current safety practices and the MBAS minimum safety standard, the Safety Service will assist Training Employers to bridge the gap. The Safety Service provides templates and guidance in their use for the safety documentation required for meet the minimum safety standard, as well as other commonly used and requested safety management documentation such as incident investigation. Since the launch of the MBAS Safety Service, over 200 current or prospective Training Employers have received assistance through the Service including advice and safety templates such as SWMS, risk assessments, toolbox talks, work health & safety management plans, site inductions and training registers. We asked a couple of our Training Employers to tell us about their experience with the Safety Service: Ed Callanan — Builder/Director, Callic Constructions and a MBA Training Employer since August 2016 ‘The MBA Apprenticeship Safety Service assisted in developing a Work Health & Safety Management Plan to help ensure we were protecting our employees and contractors when they were on site. It was comprehensive yet succinct enough to ensure it could be reviewed by busy workers and our management team. Many Thanks.’ Mick Johns, Owner, Mick Johns Constructions and Training Employer since February 2017 ‘Safety is something we can all become a little complacent about. Having the support of the Master Builders Safety Coordinator to help implement better safety procedures has proven to be a major benefit to both me and all of my workers. We are now all on the same page and this helps us look after each other.’ Training Employers can contact Master Builders Apprenticeship Services for assistance or advice at any time by email: apprenticehip@mbansw.asn.au or calling (02) 8586 3533.

Power Tool Safety Training part of Master Builder apprentice induction

Master Builders Apprenticeship Services (MBAS) are increasing the skills and safety of our apprentices by introducing Power Tool Safety Training.

The training course has been

specifically designed for new entrants to the industry and will be delivered by experienced trainers through Master Builders Training Services. The course was created to reduce the incidence of power tool injuries affecting apprentices with 18% of MBAS apprentice injuries in 20172018 involving power tools

Power tool safety training will focus on training apprentices to safely use 13 of the most commonly used power tools in the building and construction industry, including drop saw, impact driver, nail gun, router and angle grinder. This course will also be included in our PreApprenticeship Programs this year and are a requirement for all new Master Builders Apprenticeship Services apprentices. Apprentices will complete this training within the first month of their apprenticeship. They will be paid for the day, however Training Employers will not be invoiced. We have run two classes so far, with one class scheduled each month going forward, and have received excellent reviews from apprentices and their Training Employers: “Insightful and I learnt a lot about safety” Tetsuya Byrne — Stage 1 Apprentice Carpenter “Good for new apprentices to do. Very informative and I learnt a lot about tools that I haven’t used before.” Declan Connolly — Stage 1 Apprentice Carpenter “Got a better understanding of common tools that apprentices use.” Tom Rosenblum — Stage 2 Apprentice Shop Fitter “Really beneficial” Chris Barrett — Stage 2 Apprentice Carpenter “Our apprentice enjoyed the training and believes he learnt a great deal.” David Aikins — WHS Manager, Alvaro Bros Brendan Helmrich was instrumental in the development of the course content, and delivers this course at the MBA Education Centre. ‘I think the fact that it (the course) was made in consultation with somebody who teaches the skills and works in industry has made the

course relevant and useful. The one day Power Tool Safety Course is an excellent day for people new to power tools or people wanting to make sure they are using them correctly. The day is not too full, is very hands on and has time for apprentices to ask questions and practice the safe use of power tools. Far too many tradespeople injure themselves with power tools. I think this course will help to reduce some of these injuries. It has been a pleasure to train and assess a course that has a well-made powerpoint assessment document, delivery schedule and supplied tools.’ Each apprentice who completes the course receives a Statement of Attendance and completed assessment which records the power tools they have been deemed competent to use safely. A copy of this assessment will also be provided to the Training Employer for inclusion in their training register. If you have any questions, or would like more information about this training, please call Master Builders Apprenticeship Services on 02 8586 3533 or email apprenticeship@mbansw.asn.au Issue Five | October/November 2018 | MBA NSW 43