Test and tag deficiency in south-west WA

Some construction sites in south-west WA have been issued with improvement notices for electrical safety issues as local electrical contractors are not providing an adequate testing and tagging service.

The notices were issued following a one-week safety inspection by WorkSafe WA in the area from Bunbury to Augusta from 20-24 November.

Eight construction inspectors and two trainee inspectors conducted 60 investigations to issue 67 improvement notices, 16 prohibition notices and 23 verbal directions.

More than half of the notices were for safety issues involving electricity and height safety due to insufficient edge protection on construction sites.

"Inspectors reported that there were some local issues involved, including the fact that it was difficult to get portable electrical equipment tested and tagged because the local electrical contractors were not providing this service," WorkSafe Commissioner, Nina Lyhne said.

WorkSafe has already taken action to ensure that local electrical contractors do provide an adequate testing and tagging service to the region so industry can comply with safety regulations.

Overall, general safety standards on sites were of a good standard. Inspectors found a high proportion of employers and employees had already completed the compulsory safety awareness training that will become mandatory from 1 January 2007.