SafeWork NSW inspectors are visiting commercial construction sites in the Hunter and Central Coast areas this week, as part of a continued effort to keep workers safe.
This forms part of a series of coordinated compliance operations into geographical hot spots for construction in NSW.
Locations in the area already visited this year include Cessnock, Singleton, Port Stephens, Dungog, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie. As a result, inspectors issued 112 Improvement Notices, 37 Prohibition Notices and five Penalty Notices. Inspectors also issued $22,500 in on-the-spot fines around working at heights.
SafeWork continues to see workers being put at risk due to a lack of job planning, poor site supervision and the failure to use what are well-known and easy to apply preventative controls such as edge protection and not working near or on live electrical wiring.
- Inspectors will be focusing on a range of common issues during their visits including:
- Scaffold is certified and has not been tampered with or had components removed,
- Fall risks are controlled when working on roofs, near edges and voids,
- Safe electrical practices are being applied and electrical items onsite are tested and tagged,
- Safe Work Method Statements are on site and being followed for high-risk work, and
- Plant, such as excavators and vehicles, are separated from people wherever possible, amenities are up to scratch, and the site is secured from unauthorised access.
When onsite, inspectors will also be engaging with workers and employers about psychological health, safety and hazards. These can include harassment, bullying, work pressure, violence and hazardous physical working environments.
