Small and medium construction must build safety into the mix

The construction and utilities sector will be a major focus of WorkSafe Victoria’s activity in 2009 after it recorded nearly half of the state’s traumatic work-related deaths last year.

There were four deaths in the building construction sector, two deaths in utilities (linesmen) and one each in roadworks and non-building construction.

The Director of WorkSafe’s Construction and Utilities division, Chris Webb, said too many dangers in the industry’s small and medium sectors were not being addressed: “In tightening economic times, no one can afford to compromise safety in a race to the bottom to reduce costs. It puts lives and companies at risk and undercuts those who are doing the right thing.

“Directors of large or small companies, supervisors, sub-contractors and employees must, as soon as possible, make time to identify the potential for injury and do something about it. A small investment in time pays dividends in the short, medium and long term by establishing and reinforcing standards that will be carried from job to job.

“Site safety is not just about principal contractors or individual sub-contractors looking after their own people. Employers must provide and maintain a safe workplace for their employees and others affected by their work. Workers must work and behave in a safe way. Individuals or organisations cannot put others at risk.

“Without robust prevention activity, not understanding or being unprepared to acknowledge and act on hazards, complacency, taking shortcuts or allowing these things to happen puts you on a slippery slope.

“Courts are becoming increasingly tough in relation to workplace safety cases. The average fine for a Victorian workplace health and safety case stands at more than $54,200. Along with lost productivity and the commercial impact, that is a considerable penalty for any small or medium-sized business.”

Safety priorities in 2009:

• Ensure that appropriate fall protection measures are in place and used.
• Ensure that people on site, including sub-contractors, are properly trained and supervised.
• Ensure that workers have appropriate licences for high-risk plant such as cranes and forklifts, but also trade specialists such as dog-men.
• Control traffic coming and going from the site.
• Build discussion of actual or potential safety issues into tool-box talks or site briefings and inductions.
• If a safety Improvement or Prohibition Notice from WorkSafe is received: act on it. Many companies create trouble for themselves by ignoring notices.

WorkSafe safety publications for the construction and related industries can be found online at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au. Small businesses can also apply for a free safety consultancy with an independent consultant through Worksafe.