Inspectors of WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW focussed on silica dust exposure and safety issues relating to working at heights in particular with the latter the most common type of incident reported to the health and safety regulators.
SafeWork NSW principal construction inspector Stuart Larkin said the cross-border Construction Engagement Program, which has been running for around 15 years, raises awareness, delivers industry oversight of laws and provides advice to construction employers and workers along the Victoria and NSW border on legal duties.
“Construction is a high-risk industry and falls from heights is the number one killer in the construction industry,” Mr Larkin said.
“Reports of Silica poisoning has increased but our biggest issue and the number one killer is still falls, namely under four metres.
“The two safety regulator bodies come together to help local construction workers and employers know their obligations, regardless of which side of the border they’re working on.
“Essentially everyone should be able to conduct their work in a safe manner, without risk to their health and wellbeing, and return safely to their home each day.”
WorkSafe Director Construction and Earth Resources Matt Wielgosz said proactive inspections in a high-risk industry like construction were incredibly important.
“It’s a million times better to identify and fix safety issues beforehand than it is to see a workmate suffer a horrific injury or death that could’ve been easily avoided, ” Mr Wielgosz said.
“Since 2018 in Victoria, there have been 20 fatal falls from height in the construction industry, and construction workers accounted for almost a third of all workers injured in falls, making up 2,283 of the 7,769 claims accepted by WorkSafe.”
SafeWork NSW Executive Director Compliance and Dispute Resolution Matt Press said inspectors had proactively visited more than 80 construction sites in the NSW Murray region so far in 2023, issuing 187 improvement notices, 37 prohibition orders and eight penalty notices for unsafe work.
“This year we have also responded to eight dangerous incidents on top of 21 serious injuries, so we’re targeting this cross-border region with our Victorian colleagues to hold duty holders to account on their site safety performance,” Mr Press said.
The three-day local inspections involved visits to 25 construction sites across Yarrawonga and Mulwala, with advice provided on such common issues as falls from heights, silica exposure, worksite security, safe work method statements, and trip and slip hazards.
A number of issues identified were able to be addressed at the time of the visit, and the inspectors from both regulators issued a total of 48 improvement notices for issues requiring further action.
Four prohibition notices to cease particular activities, and one penalty notice related to unsafe work at heights.
“We started our inspections in Yarrawonga on Tuesday due to the weather and went through to Thursday with relatively good results,” Mr Larkin said.
“This is the first time we have been in the area for a few years as our cross-border inspections primarily focus on the larger regional centres straddling the Murray River.
“In conjunction with the field visits a presentation on the key project messages/issues was also given at the Wangaratta TAFE to approximately 50 local construction sector apprentices.
“There were six inspectors (two SafeWork NSW and four WorkSafe Vic), and one hygienist involved in the field activities.”
Among the WorkSafe and SafeWork dedicated inspectors were WorkSafe Victoria Inspector Construction Program Regulated Industries Division Ann Lee and SafeWork NSW Inspector Construction Services Regional – South West Michele Lyon.
Both women are proud of the work they do to provide information on the differences in legalities between both states and ensuring workers get home safe.
“I’ve been with WorkSafe for 18 years but decided to become an inspector eight years ago as I genuinely want people to not get injured at work,” Ms Lee said.
“I originally started with WorkSafe as a paralegal, working with the litigated workers comp so I’ve sort of come full circle to try and prevent the incidents instead of dealing with the aftermath.
“I want people to go home with their ten fingers and ten toes. In the construction industry you see too many negative things that have happened.
“If I can make a small change that prevents something from happening or somebody losing an arm, breaking their back or worse dying on a worksite then I am all for it.”
Ms Lyon from SafeWork NSW agreed with Ms Lee’s sentiments, stating that ensuring workers can go to and from work in a safe and healthy manner is the most important aspect.
“I got into the industry due to a personal situation where a close family friend of mine passed away in a workplace incident that could have been prevented and left behind two young children,” Ms Lyon said.
“It still breaks my heart to this day.
“If what I do means that tradespeople are going home to their families and enjoying their lives, then you are making a difference.
“I am happy to make sure that employers are providing a safe work environment, even if that means that some workers or employers are unhappy with our advice or policies.”
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