Border safety blitz issues 64 improvement notices at construction sites
18 Dec 2024•BlueSafe Team•Source: WorkSafe VIC
A joint WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW operation visited 36 building sites in Mildura and the surrounding area from 18–22 November. Inspectors issued 64 improvement notices and one prohibition notice for unsafe confined space work.
WorkSafe inspectors made 22 site visits and issued 22 improvement notices. Ten related to site security, seven to inadequate facilities, two each to electrical issues and housekeeping, and one to the absence of a coordination plan. Other hazards, including electrical meter box security and a scaffold issue, were addressed immediately.
SafeWork NSW inspectors prohibited unsafe confined space work and issued a further 42 improvement notices, mainly covering site security and signage, amenities, electrical testing and tagging, and failure to produce white cards. Inspectors were encouraged by fewer instances of non-conformance involving other high risk construction work, including work at heights.
Education was also a significant part of the operation, with presentations at a trade breakfast attended by about 40 local tradespeople and suppliers.
WorkSafe Director of Construction and Earth Resources Ben Sullivan said inspections provided an opportunity to discuss safety, answer questions and share information and resources, alongside ensuring sites operated safely. He said the cross-border operations built awareness of falls risks and psychosocial hazards, including bullying, extreme workloads and fatigue.
"While most employers do the right thing, safety is not something you can set and forget, particularly in construction which is consistently one of our most dangerous industries."
SafeWork NSW Director of Operation for South Region Ainslie Lalor said site visits were generally well received, despite some substandard amenities and site security lapses. She said the regular cross-border projects also allowed inspectors to meet tradespeople in places such as Buronga and GolGol and discuss site safety directly.
Ms Lalor said extremely hot days during the operation meant inspectors encountered less high risk construction work, such as roofing, than expected. She said the interactions improved safety standards at the sites visited, and that shared advice and ongoing consultation should help maintain those standards.
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