Blitz on construction site safety

A safety blitz on the Central Coast in recent weeks has seen SafeWork NSW inspectors out in force to keep an eye on the region’s building sites.

The most prevalent issue inspectors focused on was falls from heights, which continues to be the leading cause of high-risk harms identified on construction sites.

Across the state, the most common injury because of a fall from height is ligament, muscle and tendon damage or traumatic joint injury with more than 5,200 incidents reported since 2021/2022.

During March, inspectors visited 54 construction sites on the Central Coast and in the Hunter region.

This resulted in 95 improvement notices being issued, mainly around site security and signage.

Twenty-eight prohibition notices were issued and $9,000 in fines relating to falls.

Inspectors also conducted 16 psychosocial checks.

They ensured construction sites were adhering to safety obligations and other regulatory priorities including working with electricity, moving plant, and mental health.

“SafeWork continues to see workers being put at risk due to a lack of job planning, poor site supervision and the failure to use what are well-known and easy to apply preventative controls such as edge protection,” a spokesperson said.

“Inspectors will not tolerate workers being put at risk.”

Inspectors assured that: scaffold is certified and has not been tampered with or had components removed; fall risks are controlled when working on roofs, near edges and voids; safe electrical practices are being applied and electrical items onsite are tested and tagged; Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are onsite and being followed for high-risk work; and plant, such as excavators and vehicles, are separated from people wherever possible, amenities are up to scratch, and the site is secured from unauthorised access.

The inspections form part of a series of co-ordinated compliance operations into geographical hot spots for construction in NSW.

When onsite, inspectors engage with workers, businesses, health and safety representatives and union representatives about psychological health and safety, providing advice and resources to manage psychosocial hazards.

These can include harassment, bullying, work pressure, exposure to a traumatic event, violence and hazardous physical working environments.

State Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said falls from heights were one of the biggest causes of fatalities and serious injuries on NSW building sites.

“Gosford is proud to help lead the way in NSW when it comes to helping keep workers safe on our construction sites,” she said.

Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said the health and safety of Central Coast workers was the number one priority.

“It is vital no corners are cut ensuring these workers get home safely and soundly at the end of each day,” he said.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said it was important for employers to understand their duties under work health and safety laws.

“SafeWork inspectors take a zero-tolerance approach to workers lives being placed at risk and will issue on-the-spot fines to enforce compliance,” she said.

SafeWork NSW Acting Deputy Secretary Trent Curtin said business owners must ensure workers, especially those involved in high-risk tasks such as working at height and operating moving plant and machinery, were properly trained, supervised and instructed on how to do their job safely.

Visit the SafeWork NSW website for more information including how to manage the risks of working at heights, mobile plant safety, handling hazardous chemicals and how to manage psychosocial risks in construction.