SafeWork NSW expands construction safety blitz across the Hunter
02 May 2025•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
SafeWork NSW inspectors are targeting construction sites across the Hunter region, focusing on falls from heights, electrical work, moving plant and mental health. The inspections follow a Newcastle operation that resulted in 125 notices and $9000 in fines.
The expanded inspections will cover Cessnock, Singleton, Port Stephens, Dungog, Muswellbrook, MidCoast and Newcastle. SafeWork NSW aims to increase safety awareness and compliance across construction sites in metropolitan and regional areas.
Earlier this year, inspectors visited 54 construction sites during a targeted operation in inner-city Newcastle. They issued 95 improvement notices, 28 prohibition notices and two penalty notices, with fines relating to falls totalling $9000. The operation led to immediate improvements at numerous sites.
SafeWork NSW continues to identify risks arising from inadequate job planning, poor site supervision and failures to use established preventative controls. These include edge protection and avoiding work near or on live electrical wiring. The regulator warned that inspectors would not tolerate workers’ lives being put at risk.
During the visits, inspectors will discuss psychological health and safety with workers, businesses, Health and Safety Representatives and union representatives. They will also provide advice and resources to help manage psychosocial hazards.
The hazards identified in the release include harassment, bullying, unreasonable work pressure, exposure to traumatic events, violence and hazardous physical working environments. SafeWork NSW also directs businesses to its website for information on working at heights, mobile plant safety, hazardous chemicals and psychosocial risks in construction.
SafeWork NSW Acting Deputy Secretary Trent Curtin said: “Our recent compliance activities in the Newcastle area generated 95 improvement notices which is far too many and we are hoping other areas across the Hunter will have increased health and safety as a priority on construction sites."
Curtin said: “There is no excuse for unsafe practices on construction sites and our dedicated SafeWork NSW Inspectors will not compromise on improving safety measures to save lives at work."
He added: “We are ensuring that our regulatory approach remains consistent across metropolitan and regional areas alike."
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