The renowned Building and Construction Symposium by SafeWork, now in its second biennial edition, is opening its doors today in Parramatta, eagerly anticipating a series of seven regional roadshow events in September and October. This symposium acts as a collaborative platform for industry and government representatives to address primary health and safety challenges disturbing the NSW construction sector.
A premier concern will be the sustained incidence of construction workers suffering falls from heights – an issue so prevalent that SafeWork NSW imposed fines exceeding one million dollars related to the management of workers at height during the 2023/24 financial year.
Implementing effective WHS management systems like the Bluesafe SWMS can significantly alleviate this risk. Falls from heights remain a paramount priority for SafeWork NSW, leading them to introduce numerous compliance campaigns aimed at curbing hazardous practices. These initiatives are part of the SafeWork NSW Building and Construction Work Health and Safety Blueprint 2023-2026.
In addition, panel discussions will deliver insights on maintaining safety amidst the current housing and infrastructure boom coupled with a skills shortage. Strategies for the industry to empower and safeguard vulnerable workers, tackling mental health problems impacting workers, and new research concerning women in construction will also be explored.
An overview of the newly introduced industrial manslaughter offence will be presented by SafeWork, equipping prosecutors the capacity to hold a business or individual accountable for deaths resulting from supreme negligence in the workplace. Utilising comprehensive policies such as those encapsulated in the Bluesafe WHS Management System can go a significant way towards preventing such incidents.
This prominent symposium will extend its reach to Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Ballina in September, as well as Merimbula, Wollongong, Albury and Dubbo in October. Further details can be acquired by visiting Building and Construction Symposiums 2024 online portal.
Leading the charge is Mr Trent Curtin, the Head of SafeWork NSW, who expressed, “This event will concentrate on how work health and safety solutions can save lives and boost business efficiencies. We’ll use this platform to update symposium participants on key trends, issues, initiatives in the construction industry, our exhaustive service offerings including the acclaimed Site Supervisor Workshop Series, safety podcasts, and laser-focused awareness campaigns. SafeWork NSW has made admirable progress since the first Building and Construction Symposium two years ago, but when it comes to worker safety, the quest for improvement is unending.”
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/safework-symposium-to-tackle-key-construction-issues