SafeWork targets construction safety in Hunter and Central Coast

The visits continue a series of operations aimed at protecting construction workers in NSW. Inspectors have already visited Cessnock, Singleton, Port Stephens, Dungog, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie this year.

Those visits resulted in 112 Improvement Notices, 37 Prohibition Notices and five Penalty Notices. Inspectors also issued $22,500 in on-the-spot fines relating to work at heights.

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.

During this week's visits, inspectors will also discuss psychological health and safety with workers and employers. Hazards covered will include harassment, bullying, work pressure, violence and hazardous physical working environments.

Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said business owners must ensure workers receive appropriate training, supervision and instructions to work safely, particularly when performing high-risk tasks such as working at height or operating moving plant and machinery.

Curtin said inspectors would not tolerate workers' lives being put at risk and would issue on-the-spot fines where necessary. He also outlined SafeWork NSW's commitment to preventing psychological harm and supporting workplace mental health, including providing resources to help businesses and workers address psychosocial hazards.

SafeWork NSW's website provides further information on managing risks associated with working at heights, mobile plant, hazardous chemicals and psychosocial hazards in construction.

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