Halfway through its year-long campaign on falls from heights, SafeWork NSW has reported issuing fines exceeding $1 million, a major step towards improving construction site safety. Between 2018 and 2022, there was a concerning rise in the frequency of serious injuries and fatalities caused by falls from heights. In response, the programme ‘Working at Heights in Construction’ was initiated.
A Deep Dive into Safety Compliance
Since the commencement of this campaign in May 2023, SafeWork inspectors have meticulously examined 1,218 worksites, leading to the issuance of 1,499 Improvement Notices, 727 Prohibition Notices, and 352 Penalty Notices, collectively amounting to $972,000 in fines. These inspections have not only covered commercial and residential construction sites but have also extended to manufacturing, warehouse, and transport sectors, especially during the lead-up to the bustling Christmas season.
Evaluating Safety Practices Across the Industry
An encouraging outcome from these inspections is the observation that 65% of the industry now opts for the most effective safety measures, such as fall prevention devices including roof guardrails and scaffolding, over fall arrest systems like harnesses. This shift towards a more proactive approach in preventing falls from heights signals a positive transformation in the industry’s safety culture.
Continuous Efforts and Future Initiatives
With an unwavering commitment to worker safety at heights, SafeWork NSW plans to extend its vigilance into 2024, kicking off with a focused blitz on the safe installation of rooftop solar panels. The agency reminds contractors and builders of their responsibility to identify and mitigate height-related risks through effective control measures.
For workers with safety concerns, SafeWork NSW encourages anonymous reporting via the ‘Speak Up Save Lives’ app or by calling 13 10 50. Additional resources and information on safe practices for working at heights are available on the SafeWork website.
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A Stern Warning from SafeWork NSW
Trent Curtin, the Head of SafeWork NSW, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “As we pass the halfway point of SafeWork’s ‘Working at Heights in Construction’ compliance blitz it is important to note that falls from heights is still the number one cause of traumatic fatalities on NSW construction sites.”
Curtin also pointed out that a significant portion of the industry, 35%, is not adhering to the highest safety standards, calling for an urgent overhaul to prevent workplace accidents, fines, and legal actions. He recounted an incident during a site blitz where a worker was found without a harness, citing decades of incident-free work as justification. Curtin warned, “SafeWork Inspectors will not hesitate to stop work on site, issue fines and consider prosecution against businesses and individuals disregarding the rules.”
This campaign by SafeWork NSW serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing need to prioritize workplace safety and the collective effort required to safeguard workers from the risks of falls from heights in the construction sector.
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