Between the 22nd and 24th of August, SafeWork, State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) and Fair Trading NSW inspectors visited 85 construction sites in the Canterbury Bankstown LGA, focusing on reducing high-risk harms and cracking down on dangerous construction site work practices.
Each year SafeWork NSW responds to incidents where workers are either fatally or seriously injured when working at heights, with electricity, hit by moving plant, or are exposed to crystalline silica.
These key harms have been identified in the SafeWork Regulatory Priorities 2023 and the Building and Construction WHS Blueprint to 2026 with goals set in place to reduce the risks of these harms and to ensure that NSW is a safe and healthy place to work.
Inspectors took a zero-tolerance approach during this blitz to ensure consistency and that those in the construction industry understand their duties and work health and safety obligations.
The high average of 4 notices per site visited shows a need for improvement in this area. If you see something that looks unsafe, call SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or report it through the Speak Up App.
Notices Issued
- 208 Improvement Notices
- 113 Prohibition Notices
- 29 Penalty Notices
- = Total of 350 Notices
- = Average of 4 notices per site visited
Reason for Penalties
- Not providing adequate protection against risk of falling
- Not having electrical equipment regularly inspected and tested
- Not providing safe access and exit from risk of fall
Visit the FIA safety pages and Knowledge Channel for updates, information and advice on best practice and guidelines.
Received an improvement notice and need to educate or re-educate/familiarise your workers on best practice, the formwork code of practice or principles of adequate protection against risk of falling - then sign up to your FREE places on the Safe Formworker Program.
ACCESS YOUR FREE SAFE FORMWORKER PROGRAM HERE
