Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis is urging all businesses and workers to lock up building and construction sites this weekend to protect the public and keep vandals and thieves out.
The warning comes ahead of the long weekend where many worksites will be empty, especially in residential areas.
Building and construction worksites are full of potential hazards to health and safety including heavy machinery, tools, voids, heights and chemicals. There is a serious risk a member of the public can be injured or killed if they enter a site unintentionally or deliberately.
In February 2022, a man was found dead on a Goulburn building site. It is believed he entered the empty site, which had been shut down for the weekend, before falling from a balcony.
Businesses must ensure site security is a priority at all times. SafeWork has issued more than 2200 improvement and prohibition notices to site controllers relating to security at worksites across NSW in the past three years.
Construction sites must be secured by fencing off the area to prevent unauthorised access. Warning signs and contact details of management must be clearly displayed.
Plant machinery, tools and materials, which often require special skills and licences to operate and handle safely, must be immobilised or locked up when unattended on construction sites. Scaffolding and access to higher levels must be secured and voids covered.
SafeWork NSW has published a comprehensive safety and security checklist on its website to help principal contractors and supervisors keep their site safe and secure when empty.
Access SafeWork NSW's checklist here
For more details about construction safety visit the building and construction webpage.
Quotes to be attributed to Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis:
"All builders site managers must make sure they leave their worksites safe and secure before taking a well-earned break.
"Construction sites can be incredibly dangerous to those not inducted or trained to enter. Businesses have a duty to make site security a priority.
"A secure site not only protects the public but also deters vandals and thieves causing damage and stealing valuable equipment.
"You can report safety complaints, including site security concerns, to SafeWork NSW online, by calling 13 10 50 or via Speak Up."
