Project to prevent house construction deaths and injuries

WorkCover data shows that the industry, which is involved in the construction of one- and two-storey residential housing, has more than double the amount of workers compensation claims for permanent disability than any other industry.

The general manager of WorkCover’s NSW Work Health and Safety Division, John Watson, said the time had come for WorkCover and industry to work together to improve health and safety on the state’s house construction sites.

“The house construction industry is one of the state’s most important industries, comprised of almost 9000 businesses that employ more than 44,000 workers, contributing $37.9 billion to the NSW economy,” Watson said.

“It’s also one of the state’s highest risk with 1312 workers compensation claims in the two years to July 2012 at a cost of $22 million to the NSW workers compensation scheme.

“After consulting with industry, business and worker representatives to identify the major safety and return to work issues, an action plan has been developed which outlines how we will work together to improve safety and productivity on the state’s construction sites so that fewer families experience the devastating impact of a workplace injury.”

The four major safety issues on house construction sites that the plan will address are falls through voids; unsafe movement of people and materials on-site; exposure to sun; and delayed recovery and return to work.

“Our experience at WorkCover is that the best outcomes are achieved when industry and WorkCover work together,” Watson said.

“The Focus On Industry - House Construction Project will involve industry working collaboratively with WorkCover to identify and promote ways to manage high-risk activities on house-construction sites.

“This will be done through on-site support and advice, safety incentives, promoting the benefits of early recovery and return to work and, where necessary, supporting businesses that need to improve safety and return to work outcomes to do so.

“I’m confident that through the support of business, industry and workers, this project will lead to improvements in safety and productivity in the NSW house construction industry and see more injured workers back in sustainable work faster.”

For further advice on safety in the house construction industry, visit or call WorkCover on 131050.