Supervision of apprentices in the construction industry

The ACT Work Safety Commissioner has released two new Guidance Notes by WorkSafe ACT on supervision of apprentices in the ACT’s construction industry.

“These new Guidance Notes make it clear that apprentices carrying out high-risk work, such as licensed electrical work, must not be left alone on worksites,” Commissioner McCabe said when releasing the two Guidance Notes - GN106 Supervision of Electrical Apprentices and GN110 Supervision of Apprentices, which covers all other construction industry apprentices.

“We have seen several accidents in recent months involving apprentices working alone doing high-risk work,” Commissioner McCabe said. “Supervisors should be aware that they are responsible for the safety of all of their workers, and especially apprentices and trainees, who require a higher level of supervision than experienced workers.

“These requirements are not new. Supervisors here and around the country already have this obligation. I am releasing these new Guidance Notes as part of a campaign to ensure that all supervisors understand and adhere to this responsibility. Failure to do so could not only lead to severe penalties for supervisors, it could cost lives.

“I know that I have the support of both employer and worker representative bodies in my efforts to get this message out to supervisors in the construction industry.

“My message to supervisors with apprentices working under their direction is to be mindful of the responsibility they take on when accepting such a task. Their job is to act as a role model and a coach for these learners, many of whom are young and relatively inexperienced in the workplace. Both the industry and the community at large expect that supervisors will do everything they reasonably can to ensure that an apprenticeship is conducted in a safe working environment.”

The Work Safety Commissioner indicated that the current education campaign will be followed up by closer scrutiny of supervision of apprentices by WorkSafe inspectors over the coming months.