Released 29/11/2018
Employers are on notice in the lead up to the festive season to prioritise worker safety and wellbeing, Minister for Employment and Workplace Safety Rachel Stephen-Smith said today.
Injuries on worksites and in workplaces often increase at this time of the year as workers feel pressured to meet deadlines and to get jobs and projects completed before the festive season break.
This is also often combined with other risk factors to workers of heat, fatigue and impacts of drug and alcohol that may follow social engagements.
“My clear message to all workers and employers is that safety must remain the highest priority on all sites and workplaces at all times,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“Responsibility for safety rests with employers and individual workers across sites. WorkSafe ACT inspectors will also be actively attending worksites and workplaces and taking appropriate action when safety issues are detected.”
A key focus over the next few months for WorkSafe ACT will be the residential building sector, noting the risks associated with heat as well as ongoing concerns around falls from height protections and safety.
WorkSafe ACT will also be actively informing the industry and community about gas and flammable material safety this summer.
“Unfortunately this year we have seen one tragic fatality and a number of instances where members of the community and workers were injured as a result of the incorrect transportation or handling of flammable gases,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“Reminders will be provided on how gas, including LPG, should be handled and managed to support safety. This will also be important for our community as many people fire-up their barbecues as the weather continues to heat up.
“My message to the community, employers and workers is to make safety the key priority in all their actions and activities this summer.”
Information, including safety videos, can be found online at www.act.gov.au/worksafe and on the Access Canberra website at www.act.gov.au/accessCBR.
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases
Media Contacts
| Name | Phone | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|---|