Supporting Griffith's business goals

Contractors are used widely to provide a broad range of trades and other services to support Griffith University's business goals. In doing so, contractors need to recognise some extremely important safety and environmental issues about working on campus. Having a clear understanding of them is a condition of entry to our University sites for all contractors, their staff or subcontractors.

15 Life on land

Sustainable Development Goals

Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to fostering knowledge, raising awareness and implementing sustainable practices to contribute to the preservation of life on land and the achievement of a sustainable and resilient future.

Safety competency

Contractors working at Griffith University are required to have the appropriate level of knowledge and skills to perform the work or tasks they undertake. Where there is high risk work, Workplace Health and Safety or other legislation demands particular safety or other training be done, contractors must be able to produce evidence that they have been trained to the proper standards. These include:

  • Working at heights
  • Confined space entry
  • Tree felling
  • Excavation.

Contractors must also have the appropriate safety equipment for the work with them on the job eg: body harnesses suitable for the task, ladder tie-offs, gas detection equipment etc.

Contractor inductions

  • All building trade or maintenance contractors working on University sites must hold a current General Safety Induction for Construction [Blue/White Card], as a minimum.
  • University personnel, who are authorised to bring contractors on site, are responsible for providing local site induction and information regarding risks and expected preventative measures.
  • It is the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that all of their own staff or subcontractors, who are likely to work on our sites, are made aware of University procedures and standards, before they begin work. This information is found in the Contractors and trade staff online induction.

Contractors and trade staff online induction

User guide for Contractors and trade staff online induction

All minor works, building, maintenance and related trades contractor companies must be registered. The term "minor work" applies to projects or work with value of less than $80,000. Unregistered minor works contractors will not be offered work with Facilities.

Contractors undertaking capital works or maintenance service period contracts will be required to provide similar information as part of other normal contractor tendering process.

Registration Process

  • An authorised contractor representative obtains and completes the Minor Works Contractor Registration Pack.
  • Submit the completed form and copies of required documents to the relevant Facilities Project manager or supervisor before any work or project commences.
    Work must not start until registration process is complete.
  • Ensure the following key information or documents are provided. Incomplete applications may delay the registration process or payment.
  • Appropriate trade or other licences for all services offered eg: BSA , electrical, WHS prescribed activities or occupations.
  • Sufficient insurance coverage
    • Workers compensation (if employing staff)
    • Public liability (minimum $10 million)
    • Professional indemnity (if given professional advice, varies with each project).
  • Complete and sign the "health, safety and environment checklist and declaration".
  • Provide all required financial details as requested.
  • A registration letter will be sent to compliant contractors upon acceptance and the appropriate project manager or supervisor will be notified.
  • Registered contractors are required to maintain appropriate levels of public liability and other insurances, and are required to send in annually, renewal certificates to remain registered with the University.

Work area security

Griffith University is not responsible for providing security services for contractors equipment held or left on site after hours.
To prevent or limit theft or damage to contractor property or equipment and minimise the remaining risk of unfinished jobs or projects to staff or students, contractors are required to:

  • Ensure work area is well lit and appropriately barricaded.
  • Ensure toolboxes and equipment is stored securely or removed from site.
  • Ensure gas bottles or other pressure equipment is properly secured and depressurised at the end of the day.
  • Any machinery or vehicles remaining on site are secured keys removed.

Safety and security barricading or fencing

The University is open to the general public, students and staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contractors must supply and erect appropriate barricading, fencing and signage to suit the work being done before work commences. On designated construction sites, fencing must meet Workplace Health and Safety Regulatory standards. In all situations:

  • Walkways and general access ways are to be kept clear of vehicles, equipment and materials. Reduce floor and corridor trip hazards such as loose electric cords, waste and tools on floors.
  • When leaving unfinished job sites at the end of the day, clean up and make the area safe and secure with barricading. Witches are not to be left overnight.
  • Excavations and pits must be covered and securely fenced with highly visible warnings.
  • Temporary lighting may be required in some situations to ensure sufficient hazard visibility.
  • Barricades and fencing must be checked regularly for stability and strength.
  • Special attention must be made to ensure clear access to all tactile indicators on pedestrian pathways, which are provided for visually impaired persons.

For more information

Guide to Barricading and Fencing on Campus Guide to construction safety signage on campus

Arriving on site

When arriving on site to begin a job, all Facilities contractors, employees and subcontractors [excluding capital works] are required to sign in at a designated campus access point. These are:

  • Gold Coast Facilities Office Building G19
  • South Bank Facilities Office Building S01 Room 2.50
  • Nathan Security Office Building N53
  • Mt Gravatt Security Office Building M13
  • Logan Facilities Office Building L01

Contractor identification

After signing in, each contractor will be provided with an identification tag which must be worn at all times whilst working on-site.
Griffith University Contractor ID badges must not be taken off-site. Badges are to be returned at the end of each day and another collected when resuming work next day.
It is preferable that contractors also display their company logo on uniform clothing while working on-site.

General work permit

A general work permit authorises general site access and controls:

  • Access to critical University plant
  • Access to restricted or high risk areas
  • Isolation of essential services
  • Clearances to enter special hazardous sections of the University eg: laboratories

General work permits are conditionally granted upon acceptance of Contractor safety plans [where required] or safe work method statements which include information on contractor awareness and preparation for campus hazards and risks.

For minor works contractors, a general work permit notification will be sent to Security by the Facilities project or work coordinator/supervisor prior to the expected work commencement date.

The general work permit will provide appropriate information and authority to enable Security or other Facilities staff key holders to issue keys and allow proper access.

For regular scheduled maintenance contractors, general work permits will be arranged by the Facilities Engineering Services Manager with the contractor and each campus Facilities Manager.

No contractors will be permitted access to campus or issued keys without a University staff member authorisation.

General Work Permits do not include Prescribed [High Risk] Work Permits. This University safety system is separate and authorised directly by the Project/Work coordinator to allow contractors or employees to undertake certain high risk tasks as part of a job.

Keys

  • Contractors issued with University keys are responsible for their safekeeping.
  • All keys issued must be returned to point of issue each day.
  • Lost keys must be reported to Campus Life Facilities within 24 hours to maintain security.
  • Contractors are liable for the costs associated with re-keying due to loss of keys.

Projects over $80,000 require the Principal Contractor to prepare a Construction Safety and Environment Management Plan (PDF 201k).

A Construction Management Plan must comply with WHS regulatory requirements and address potential risks including environmental risks posed to the local natural environment by the job or project. Environmental risks arise from all construction sites, including refurbishment of existing buildings.

They include:

  • building site waste, packaging, plastic, food waste and construction material, concrete, metal and wood
  • grey or natural water runoff from site amenities, natural rain or storm water
  • disturbance and clearance of vegetation causing erosion of topsoil and run off into natural water courses, drains or pedestrian pathways
  • disturbance or damage to designated local environmental features, trees or vegetation, rocks or creeks.

Construction safety and environmental plans must clearly describe how these and other risks will be managed on each project, what control measures will be used and how their effectiveness will be monitored and reviewed.

WHS legislation and Griffith University also requires that contractors undertaking high risk work, as part of Minor works construction, maintenance or services, provide an appropriate safety plan or Work Method Statement, describing how the risks will be controlled before starting work.

Safe Work Method Statements are required for all work regarded as High risk construction work, or prescribed activity.

The need for Work Method Statements is initially identified by the project coordinator, through a preliminary Project Risk Assessment, before advertising or organising the work. Contractors may request a copy of this assessment to help in preparing their own Work Method Statements by contacting the project coordinator.

Work method statements must address the main safety hazards of the planned job. They must clearly explain how the contractor intends to manage those risks to the contractors' own employees or subcontractors, and most importantly, to University staff, students and the environment.

They must be up to date and specific to the particular situation.

  • Generic plans are acceptable, providing there is minimal change in the work method, when performed in the same or similar conditions.
  • No work shall be authorised to start, unless a requested safety plan or safe work method statement has been received and accepted by the Facilities project coordinator

It is the contractors' responsibility to ensure that their own employees or subcontractors follow their safety plan and comply with all University requirements.

Parking and traffic

Contractor parking on site is paid via a User Pay system. Parking is available by either purchasing a Trimester or Annual parking permit or by paying casually via the PayStay app or at a Pay-by-Plate machine.

Griffith campuses are regulated parking areas and all rules and regulations while parking on campus should be followed.

Loading Zones

Loading zones have a 20 minute maximum time limit on Griffith campuses.

Traffic control and road safety

There are a large number of young people moving around the campus. Contractors and their employees are reminded that they must be constantly aware of staff or students and the unexpected.

Please note, parking is not permitted on landscaped or turfed areas.

General conditions of contract

Minor Works conditions of contract

Contact us

General enquiries

Visit Services@Griffith to see the full list of available services.

(07) 3735 5285

Common questions