SafeWork NSW Inspectors will have their boots on the ground in the Wilton and Menangle areas this week, visiting residential construction sites in the developing Wollondilly area to ensure and enforce workplace safety and compliance.
The safety watchdog says the construction industry is one of NSW’s highest risk industries. The key harms in SafeWork NSW’s 2024-2025 Annual Regulatory statement will be the priority issues inspectors will be focusing on which include:
- Falls from heights
- Contact with electricity
- Safety around mobile plant
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Asbestos and crystalline silica exposure
- Young worker safety
- Workplace mental health.
Fall from heights remains the leading cause of fatalities and compliance and inspectors will be taking a zero-tolerance approach.
A/Executive Director Operations & Enforcement, SafeWork NSW, Tony Williams said SafeWork continues to see workers lives 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.
“Business owners must ensure workers, especially those involved in high-risk areas such as working at height and moving plant and machinery, are properly trained and instructed on how to do their job safely,” said Mr Williams.
“Inspectors visiting the Wilton and Menangle areas this week will take a zero-tolerance approach to workers lives being placed at risk and will issue on-the-spot fines where necessary.
“SafeWork NSW is committed to preventing psychological harm and promoting workplace mental health. It is important we continue to provide businesses and workers with tools, resources and support that enable workplaces to comply and take action to address psychosocial hazards.”
Working safely around mobile plant on a construction site is extremely important and inspectors will be checking that people and plant, such as excavators and trucks, are separated wherever possible.
They will also be engaging with workers, businesses, Health and Safety Representatives and union representatives about psychological health and safety, providing advice and resources to manage psychosocial hazards. This can include harassment, bullying, work pressure, exposure to a traumatic event, violence and hazardous physical working environments. The average cost and time off work for psychological injury is more than triple that of physical claims, said Mr Williams.
Visit SafeWork NSW website for more information including how to manage the risks of working at heights, mobile plant safety and how to manage psychosocial risks in construction.
