How does SAMA approach planning and risk assessment?
SAMA ensures that every project is carefully planned in terms of scope, human and technical/plant and equipment resources, scheduling and variations/contingency planning.
Thorough hazard identification and risk assessment in the planning phase, we ensure that risks are identified and appropriate controls planned before work commences. Risk and controls are then monitored throughout the project.
Typical risks requiring controls include but are not limited to:
- Injury due to unlevel ground
- Injury due to equipment failure or improper use
- Inhalation of toxic propellants / Hazardous Chemicals
- Dehydration
- Waste disposal
- Exposure to the sun
- Paint sprayed in eyes (including over-spray)
- Injury from other plant activities
- Injury from unsafe plant equipment
- Injury from working at heights
Work, Health and Safety
Street Art Murals Australia specialises in delivering commercial large scale projects that comply with Australian standards and relevant state Work Health and Safety Acts and Regulations.
We have developed a strong reputation in the sector as a preferred provider for works requiring a high level of regulatory compliance. To achieve this we work closely with our commercial clients to develop detailed risk assessments, safe work method statements and risk assessment methodologies to reflect the unique requirements of each job.
SAMA has experience meeting regulatory exceptions in the delivery of high risk construction work, handling dangerous goods/chemicals, use of personal protective equipment, emergency preparedness and emergency response,
SAMA and its artists hold necessary regulatory permits, licenses, certificates and WorkCover approvals to undertake high risk construction work.
What are typical challenges encountered when doing large scale mural work?
SAMA upholds the highest worker and public safety considerations and has an excellent safety record across all of our projects with zero injuries recorded. Challenges specific to the large scale mural works include:
- Ensuring high standards for site access, induction and supervision
- Ensuring supervision and safety of other persons engaged or who volunteer to undertake work (such as young street artists)
- Reducing working at height risk by using an EWP with appropriately trained and licensed operators
- Effective site hazard identification and risk management to ensure all risks are controlled and managed effectively
- Delivering a mural that deters future vandalism thereby reducing future public safety risks
- Strict on site storage of paints and access equipment to ensure safety requirements are met
- Ensuring strict compliance zones and confinement of workspace from the general public
- Personal protective equipment for all artists, at all times
- Ensuring high standards of environment contamination control by ensuring paint spills are controlled
- Workplace exposure issues are identified and controlled (heat, cold, wind and other contaminants)
- Overall time management to meet necessary deadlines and within budget
All of these risks will be the responsibility of the SAMA Coordinator who will ensure close project and site management.
How does SAMA approach site management?
Throughout each project SAMA provides the client with a single consistent point of contact. Throughout the life of the project the SAMA Coordinator will have direct contact with the client and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that communication is clear and consistent.
Our team has been specifically designed to have artists in artistic roles and non artists, in management roles. In our experience having the SAMA Coordinator act as a ‘insulator’ between the artists and the clients, makes for the most smooth, successful and fulfilling projects for all involved.
In the case of large or complex projects SAMA will provide a dedicated WHS Supervisor to provide oversize throughout the project.
What is SAMA’s WHS Governance Structure?
SAMA is governed by Mountains Youth Services Team Incorporated (ABN:19 942 569 473), a certified charity in NSW. The WHS Officer at Mountains Youth Services Team has undertaken WHS training which covers; the importance of WHS and the systematic management of health and safety under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Additionally the onsite SAMA Coordinator is WHS trained and is responsible for coordination and oversight of the following:
- Undertaking hazard and risk assessments by Identify the hazards, evaluating the risk and prioritising controls.
- Developing and implementing safe work procedures, training all staff in safe work procedures and ensuring safe equipment is purchased, maintained and used properly.
- Monitoring and reviewing safety performance by building safety into business plans, promoting safety as a core business value and by reviewing procedures when there are changes in the workplace or after an incident.
What training and induction can we expect from SAMA staff and painters?
Staff are competent and trained: SAMA has an intimate knowledge of their internal team in terms of skill set, training, abilities and behaviours so that the right artists can be selected for each project.
SAMA ensures that teams are appropriately inducted, trained and where relevant have the appropriate licenses and specific training required. We maintain an updated record of which artists have completed EWP training and at what level.
SAMA ensures that pre painting site visits with teams and stakeholders are carried out to ensure all hazards are identified and controlled planned for before work commences.
SAMA has an informed understanding of the specific asset and site location (maintenance logs, dimensions, awareness of the surroundings, pedestrian traffic, exclusion zones are in place, exposure to the elements, air flow and access requirements).
Who have you completed work for in the past?
We have completed work for:
- Sydney Trains
- NSRU Construction (John Holland)
- Lend Lease
- NSW Health
- Westmead Children’s Hospital
- Seqwater
- Sydney Water
- Scenic World
- Strathfield City Council
- Blue Mountains City Council
- Sutherland City Council
- Circular Head Council
- Amnesty International
- ING Direct