Border construction blitz finds dozens of hazards around Mildura
20 Dec 2024•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW inspectors found dozens of hazards during a joint construction blitz around Mildura. The week-long operation covered 36 building sites on both sides of the border.
The two regulators visited Mildura and surrounding areas from 18–22 November, combining site inspections with safety education for local construction businesses.
WorkSafe inspectors issued 22 improvement notices across 22 site visits. These included 10 for site security, seven for inadequate facilities, two for electrical issues, two for housekeeping and one for the absence of a coordination plan. Other hazards, including electrical meter box security and a scaffold issue, were addressed immediately.
SafeWork NSW inspectors issued a prohibition notice for unsafe confined space work and 42 improvement notices, mainly concerning 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 a significant part of the operation, with presentations at a trade breakfast attended by about 40 local tradies and suppliers. WorkSafe Director of Construction and Earth Resources Ben Sullivan said inspections also gave workers and businesses opportunities to discuss safety, ask questions and share information and resources.
Mr Sullivan said cross-border operations helped build 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 the visits were generally well received, despite some substandard amenities and gaps in site security. She said the regular cross-border projects also provided opportunities to discuss worksite safety directly with tradies in places such as Buronga and GolGol.
Ms Lalor said extremely hot days meant inspectors encountered less high risk construction work, such as roofing, than expected. She said interactions during the operation contributed to improved health and safety standards at the sites visited, with advice and ongoing consultation supporting their maintenance.
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