SafeWork NSW is conducting targeted compliance checks on construction sites on the Central Coast this week.
Inspectors will focus on SafeWork NSW's regulatory priorities and harms which cause the greatest risk to workers, which on construction sites includes:
- falls from heights and falls on the same level, including slips trips hazards
- being injured by mobile plant, fixed machinery and vehicles
- psychosocial hazards such as high work demands, low job support, harmful behaviours and workplace sexual harassment
- exposure to hazardous substances
- injury from mobile plant, vehicles or fixed machinery.
Inspectors will be visiting worksites to ensure safety obligations are being followed to keep workers safe on the job and will check businesses are complying with their duties under work health and safety law.
If not, inspectors may take enforcement action, such as issuing improvement, prohibition and penalty notices.
Inspectors will also be engaging with workers, businesses, health and safety representatives and union delegates during these visits.
This includes providing advice and resources to manage psychosocial hazards such as harassment, bullying, unreasonable work pressure, exposure to a traumatic event, violence and hazardous physical working environments.
This week's site visits on the Central Coast are part of SafeWork NSW's regular program of proactive compliance in the Central Coast and Hunter region and across the State.
In July, SafeWork NSW's statewide compliance operation resulted in the issuing of 506 notices for non-compliance, comprising 435 improvement notices, 61 prohibition notices and 10 fines worth about $50,000.
While many worksites are doing the right thing, the blitz highlighted too many workers on construction sites are still being put at risk due to factors such as poor job planning, a lack of site supervision and inadequate preventative measures such as edge protection for working from heights.
Find more information on how to manage the risks of working at heights, mobile plant safety and how to manage psychosocial risks in construction.
Quotes attributable to SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer:
"This week's compliance operation is part of SafeWork NSW 's efforts to increase its visibility and engagement with workers and industry, and to increase compliance and enforcement of the state's work health and safety laws.
"SafeWork NSW inspectors will not compromise on improving safety measures to save lives at work.
"There is no excuse for unsafe practices on construction sites.
"Every worker has the right to go home safely at the end of the day."
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