Today, SafeWork NSW officials are increasing their surveillance on construction sites across the Hunter region. The aim is to ensure that businesses are adhering strictly to their safety commitments, thereby keeping workers safe. To achieve this, they employ an array of work safety products like WHS management systems, SWMS and policies with focus on regulatory priorities such as preventing falls from heights, proper handling of electricity, operation of moving plant and mental health.
Among the targeted locations are Cessnock, Singleton, Port Stephens, Dungog, Muswellbrook, MidCoast, and Newcastle. An intensified operation was conducted earlier this year within the inner-city region of Newcastle which brought rapid improvements to numerous problematic sites.
In a remarkable feat, the construction compliance blitz by SafeWork NSW allowed inspectors to visit 54 construction sites. Consequently, they issued 95 improvement notices, 28 prohibition notices and handed out fines totalling $9000 for 2 penalty notices related to falls.
The expansion of inspections across the Hunter by SafeWork NSW is aimed at driving industry-wide awareness and enforcing compliance. This supports safer working environments through effective use of tools like Bluesafe WHS Management System. It ensures the safety of all construction workers, regardless of location.
Despite wide knowledge and easy application of preventative controls such as edge protection and avoidance of work near live wires, SafeWork continues to see workers being put at risk due to inadequate job planning, poor site supervision, and failure to apply these controls. Inspectors will not tolerate putting worker’s lives at risk.
During their visits, Inspectors not only concentrate on common issues but also engage with workers, Health and Safety Representatives, union representatives and businesses to discuss psychological safety. They provide advice and resources to manage psychosocial hazards like bullying, harassment, unreasonable work pressure, trauma, violence, and hazardous work environments.
For a more comprehensive understanding including management of risks related to working at heights, mobile plant safety, and handling hazardous chemicals along with psychosocial risks in construction, visit the SafeWork NSW website.
Trent Curtin, acting Deputy Secretary of SafeWork NSW said; “Our recent compliance operations led to 95 improvement notices being issued in the Newcastle area which is excessively too many, and we expect other areas across the Hunter to prioritise health and safety on their construction sites.”
“There is no room for unsafe practices on construction sites and our dedicated SafeWork NSW Inspectors will not back down on enhancing safety measures to save lives at the workplace.”
“Regardless of whether they are metropolitan or regional, our regulatory approach is consistent across all areas.”
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/safework-nsw-inspectors-continued-focus-on-safety-at-hunter-region-construction-sites