SafeWork NSW is presently conducting focused compliance audits on Central Coast construction sites. The inspectors are directing their attention on SafeWork NSW’s regulatory priorities and hazards that pose the most significant danger to workers, especially on construction sites.
Inspectors will be physically present on these worksites checking the use of safety products like Bluesafe SWMS (Safe Work Method Statements) and Bluesafe WHS Management System, ensuring that businesses are adhering to their obligations under the work health and safety law, while also keeping workers safe in their working environment. If businesses are found neglecting these rules, applicable actions such as issuing improvement, prohibition and penalty notices may be enforced by the inspectors.
In addition, inspectors will also establish discussions with workers, businesses, health and safety representatives and union delegates during these visits. Their engagement will encompass providing advice and resources required to manage psychosocial hazards which include harassment, bullying, unnecessary work pressure, exposure to traumatic events, violence, and harmful physical work conditions.
The site inspections being conducted this week on the Central Coast form part of SafeWork NSW’s consistent program of proactive compliance both regionally on the Central Coast and Hunter regions, and statewide. This follows July’s operation where 506 notices were issued addressing non-compliance, which included 435 improvement notices, 61 prohibition notices, and 10 fines totaling approximately $50,000.
The audit process has highlighted an unfortunate truth – many construction worksites, despite some doing the right thing, still expose their workers to risks due to poor job planning, inadequate site supervision, and substandard preventative measures. Measures such as edge protection for working from heights must not be underestimated.
To help improve this, information is available on managing risks associated with working at heights, mobile plant safety, and management of psychological risks in a construction setting.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer’s comments underline the gravity of this matter. These compliance operations exemplify SafeWork NSW’s ongoing commitment to increasing its visibility and engagement with workers and industry while reinforcing compliance and strict enforcement of the state’s work health and safety laws. Safework NSW inspectors, she insists, will not negotiate on enhancing safety measures to protect lives at work. Unsafe practices on construction sites are simply inexcusable, with every worker deserving to return home safely after their day’s work.
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/safework-nsw-conducting-central-coast-compliance-operation
