SafeWork NSW Inspectors will have their boots on the ground in the Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie region this week, visiting construction sites to ensure and enforce workplace safety and compliance.
The construction industry is one of NSW's highest risk industries. Fall from heights remains the leading cause of fatalities and compliance will be targeted by inspectors.
SafeWork continues to see workers being put at risk due to a lack of job planning, poor site supervision and the failure to use what are well-known and easy to apply preventative controls such as edge protection. Inspectors will be taking a zero-tolerance approach where workers are put at risk.
Mobile plant and mental health will also be targeted as they, along with fall from heights, have been identified as key harms in SafeWork NSW's 2024-2025 Annual Regulatory statement (PDF, 3903.9 KB), which states the priority issues inspectors will be focusing on.
Working safely around mobile plant on a construction site is extremely important and inspectors will be checking that people and plant, such as forklifts and vehicles, are separated wherever possible.
They will also be engaging with workers, businesses, Health and Safety Representatives and union representatives about psychological health and safety and providing advice and resources to manage psychosocial hazards. These can include harassment, bullying, work pressure, exposure to a traumatic event, violence and hazardous physical working environments.
