Released 30/01/2020
WorkSafe ACT has focussed on work health and safety compliance in the residential construction sector, following the tragic death of a worker earlier this month.
Worksafe ACT Inspectors conducted 28 visits targeting residential building sites in both north and south Canberra with a strong focus on key safety risks and ensuring that builders and sub-contractors were meeting their legislative compliance obligations.
ACT Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones was disappointed with the outcome of the visits, “The level of compliance with the safety laws was poor, with over 70 notices being issued for the 28 sites. Of the 70 notices issued, a total of 19 Prohibition Notices had been issued where there was an imminent safety risk to workers. In these cases, all work ceased immediately until the safety breaches were satisfactorily rectified.”
Major issues included no protection to prevent falls from heights; scaffolding incomplete or incorrectly modified with no sign-off; electrical safety issues with damaged or faulty equipment and cables; poor site management with numerous slips, trips and fall hazards; and inadequate site security where there was no or inadequate fencing to prevent the public from entering the sites.
Mr Jones said that the tragic death of a worker earlier this month should have provided a strong reminder that safety should be the number one priority.
“There seemed to be a general disregard for worker safety with basic protection systems not in place and little planning to ensure work was undertaken in a safe manner,” Mr Jones commented
“WorkSafe inspections in this area will continue and inspectors will not hesitate to issue more notices, including closing sites that do not meet basic safety requirements.”
The investigation into the worker’s death that occurred on 11 January continues, with the information obtained under warrant on 15 January currently being analysed. WorkSafe ACT is working with ACT Policing on a range of regulatory and law enforcement matters of interest.
As the investigation of the workplace fatality is ongoing, no further comment will be made at this stage.
- Statement ends -
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