After a devastating fatality of a road worker in Taylor last week, WorkSafe ACT has been targeting residential construction sites across the suburb in a saturation campaign.

Two construction sites in Taylor have been shut down today by inspectors after the intensive five-hour operation was carried out across 47 worksites.

Eleven prohibition notices and 83 improvement notices have been issued for unsafe practices, with all 11 of the prohibition notices being issued to the two sites that were closed.   

WorkSafe ACT Senior director of strategy and occupational hygiene, Jackii Shepherd, said the two sites that were completely shut down were “so untidy that you couldn’t enter or exit the site safely”.

The sites will need to be cleaned and secured before work can recommence.

“We might be naming and shaming the businesses who were shut down a little later, but it’s just really disappointing,” Ms Shepherd said.

“Coming into Christmas, site security and cleanliness is really important.”

The key health and safety issues seen in Taylor today included:

• Lack of housekeeping
• Not managing falls from heights
• Not testing and tagging
• Covid-19 safety breaches with no QR codes or Covid-19 safety plans

ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius, expressed extreme disappointment at the number of significant issues observed on the sites.

“Given the recent fatality of a worker connected to this industry, I’m extremely disappointed to see there has not been an improvement of standards at residential construction sites in this suburb. As part of Operation Safe Prospect, we will continue to visit greenfield suburbs and take enforcement action when we find safety breaches,” Ms Agius said.

“Employers need to look after the health and safety of their workers, because everyone has the right to be safe on the job and go home safely. We are urging businesses not to rush and put health and safety at risk to meet a deadline.”

Out of the 10 saturation campaigns held this year, Ms Shepherd said today’s was one of the highest number of breaches they have encountered.

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