The OFSC (Office of The Federal Safety Commissioner) is a federal agency established in 2005 to promote improved OHS performance in the building and construction industry. The Federal Safety Commissioner administers the Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme. The “Scheme” was developed as an initiative to promote “sustainable” OHS culture change across the the building and construction industry.

The effectiveness of the scheme is monitored regularly and to date there are mixed results on how the scheme has translated into reductions in the injury rates across the industry.

The scheme requires head contractors, wanting to tender for government work, to become accredited by the FSC. Accreditation is based on a series of desktop ohs audits of the businesses OHS Management System and onsite OHS audits.

At first glance the OFSC process of accreditation can appear onerus. Companies must develop an Occupational Health and Safety Management System, undergo regular OHS audits and be subjected workplace OHS inspections by Federal Safety Officers. However, there are significant competetive advantages for companies obtaining OFSC accreditation. 

Not only through the ability to tender for government building and construction work, but also by improving safety management in the organisation and reducing the costs of workplace injury.

For more infromation on the OFSC accreditation scheme visit: http://www.fsc.gov.au , contact us on 1300 we do ohs (1300 933 664) Or reply to this post with any questions.