NSW, Vic partner for construction safety blitz

WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW have partnered to carry out a construction safety blitz in Yarrawonga-Mulwala this week, to reduce the risk of falls from height and exposure to crystalline silica. Inspectors will visit worksites in Victoria and NSW from 21–25 August to educate employers on their health and safety obligations, identify existing risks and ensure safety requirements remain consistent on both sides of the border.

WorkSafe Director of Construction and Earth Resources Matt Wielgosz said proactive inspections in a high-risk industry like construction are incredibly important. “It’s a million times better to identify and fix safety issues beforehand than it is to see a workmate suffer a horrific injury or death that could’ve been easily avoided,” Wielgosz said.

Since 2018 in Victoria, there have been 20 fatal falls from height in the construction industry, and construction workers accounted for almost a third of all workers injured in falls, making up 2283 of the 7769 claims accepted by WorkSafe. “Every single injury and death caused by falling from height is preventable if the right safety measures are in place,” Wielgosz said.

Falls from height is the leading cause of traumatic fatalities on NSW construction sites, with 16 people killed between 2018 and 2022. Workers aged between 20 and 29 experience the highest number of falls and those aged over 50 make up the highest number of fatalities. SafeWork NSW Executive Director of Compliance and Dispute Resolution Matt Press said inspectors have visited more than 80 construction sites in the NSW Murray region so far in 2023, issuing 187 improvement notices, 37 prohibition orders and eight penalty notices for unsafe work. SafeWork NSW has also responded to eight dangerous incidents, along with 21 serious injuries.

As part of the current safety blitz, inspectors will also seek to ensure employers are identifying high-risk crystalline silica and preparing hazard control statements prior to commencing work. Wielgosz said although many in the construction industry know about the dangers of crystalline silica dust when working with engineered stone, fewer know that this building material isn’t the only hazard. “Cutting or crushing products like ceramic tiles, concrete, bricks and marble without appropriate protection can also put workers at risk of respiratory diseases like silicosis,” Wielgosz said.

Employers can take steps to protect workers engaged in high-risk silica work. This can include providing tools with water suppression, supplying well-fitted PPE and carrying out air monitoring. Since 2018, WorkSafe has accepted 321 injury claims from workers exposed to crystalline silica dust, with 16 reported fatalities.

“These figures are heartbreaking. But they strengthen our commitment to educating employers and construction workers on the steps they must take to maintain a safe workplace, no matter which side of the border they’re working on,” Wielgosz said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Oranat Taesuwan