Cross-border inspections boost construction site safety
WorkSafe Victoria and Safe Work NSW visited 52 construction sites across Albury and Wodonga as part of a week-long safety blitz to reduce the risk of falls and other safety issues. Common issues advised during the inspections included falls and electric shock risks, site security, Safe Work Method Statements and trip and slip hazards. From 21 to 25 March, WorkSafe inspectors identified six safety issues that were able to be addressed on the spot and issued eight improvement notices. SafeWork inspectors also issued nine improvement notices and two prohibition notices for working at height.
WorkSafe Director of Construction and Earth Resources Matt Wielgosz said the joint agency visits were a proactive way to help local construction businesses comply with workplace health and safety requirements. Wielgosz added that WorkSafe inspectors will continue to work with local construction workers and employers to help duty holders understand their obligations, with support from SafeWork NSW. “We’re also getting the safety message out to young tradies through presentations at local TAFEs, as we know that young workers can be more vulnerable and less likely to speak up about safety concerns,” Wielgosz said.
Representatives from WorkSafe spoke with 225 TAFE students to highlight safe work practices to young workers, including plumbing, carpentry, electrical engineering, building and women in trades groups. SafeWork NSW Director of Construction Services (Regional) Laurence Richey said the blitz revealed that noncompliance around working at heights remains an issue on construction sites.
“Sadly, falls from heights, in particular falls under four metres, is the number one killer in the construction industry. Ladders not being fit for use and scaffolding which has been altered and not regularly inspected are attributable to a number of falls-related incidents and an area we will continue to address,” Richey said.
The operation was part of the ongoing Cross Border Construction Program that aims to raise the profile of workplace health and safety issues in regional centres along the Victoria–NSW border.
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