Central Coast construction safety blitz targets falls from heights

The Minns Labor Government’s blitz is part of a series of coordinated compliance operations targeting construction hot spots across NSW. Falls from heights remain the leading cause of high-risk harms identified on construction sites.

Across NSW, more than 5,200 incidents involving ligament, muscle and tendon damage or traumatic joint injuries resulting from falls from heights have been reported since 2021/2022. These were the most common injuries associated with falls from heights.

Last month, inspectors visited 54 construction sites in the Hunter and Central Coast region. They issued 95 improvement notices, mainly concerning site security and signage, as well as 28 prohibition notices and $9,000 in fines relating to falls. Inspectors also carried out 16 psychosocial checks.

SafeWork NSW continues to identify workers being exposed to risks through inadequate job planning, poor site supervision and failures to use established preventative controls, such as edge protection. During the Central Coast visits, inspectors will check safety obligations and regulatory priorities covering work at heights, electricity, moving plant and mental health.

Inspectors will also speak with workers, businesses, Health and Safety Representatives and union representatives about psychological health and safety. They will provide advice and resources for managing psychosocial hazards, including harassment, bullying, work pressure, exposure to traumatic events, violence and hazardous physical working environments. SafeWork’s website also provides information on working at heights, mobile plant, hazardous chemicals and psychosocial risks in construction.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said employers needed to understand their duties under WHS laws. She said inspectors would take a zero-tolerance approach to workers’ lives being placed at risk and issue on-the-spot fines to enforce compliance. Minister for the Central Coast David Harris described local workers’ health and safety as the highest priority and said it was vital that corners were not cut.

State Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said scaffolds were an inspection focus because falls from heights were among the biggest causes of fatalities and serious injuries on NSW building sites. She said Gosford was proud to help lead efforts to keep construction workers safe.

SafeWork NSW Acting Deputy Secretary Trent Curtin said business owners must ensure workers were properly trained, supervised and instructed, particularly when working at heights or operating moving plant and machinery. He said inspectors visiting the Central Coast this week would issue on-the-spot fines where necessary. He also outlined SafeWork’s commitment to preventing psychological harm and providing businesses and workers with resources and support to address psychosocial hazards.

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