WA goldfields safety inspections reveal disappointing results

WorkSafe WA construction inspectors visited 28 construction sites in the Goldfields in November 2009 and issued a total of 19 notices and a number of verbal directions. They returned to the region in February to follow up on any construction sites still in progress since their November visit and to inspect new construction projects in Kalgoorlie and one mine construction site.

A total of 22 notices were issued during the visits, consisting of 18 improvement notices and four prohibition notices.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said that the results of the return visit were a disappointment: “It seems the message isn’t really getting through to construction industry employers in the Goldfields region.

“Although the sites visited in November showed some improvement, both those sites and the sites not previously visited were found to have ongoing problems with electrical installations, working at heights and Safety Awareness Training Certificates.

“I’m particularly concerned with the ongoing lack of compliance with the workplace safety laws on electrical installations at construction sites, with more than half the notices issued being for electrical matters.

“Electricity is a deadly serious safety issue, and the construction sector needs to treat it as such when organising the temporary supply of power to building sites.

“Over the past five years, 19 Western Australians have died as a result of electrocution, eight in workplaces and 11 outside of workplaces, a tragic toll by any measure. Similarly, on average, two Western Australian workers die every year in falls from height, also an issue that needs to be given the highest priority.

“On the whole, the latest visit to the Goldfields was a disappointment in terms of construction sites complying with occupational safety and health laws. These proactive inspection campaigns aim to improve safety standards by providing employers with the information they require to stay within the law, but it appears that a lot of the information provided has not been acted upon.

“Given the poor results revealed by this follow-up visit, we now plan to visit the Goldfields region on a more regular basis over the coming years.”