Disappointed the residential construction industry has not addressed safety issues, and that the same businesses are committing the same safety breaches, WorkSafe ACT will investigate these breaches and pursue prosecutions.
This week, WorkSafe ACT issued 24 improvement notices, 24 prohibition notices (including eight for several serious breaches relating to the risk of falls from heights), and four infringement notices. Most were issued against repeat offenders, despite repeated engagement with WorkSafe ACT Inspectors and Ms Agius recently putting repeat offenders on notice.
“It is frustrating and concerning that we are continuing to see so many serious breaches, particularly in relation to falls from heights,” Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius said.
The breaches were identified after WorkSafe ACT inspected residential construction sites in Whitlam on Tuesday, as part of Operation Safe Prospect, which aims to improve safety standards in residential construction. The Operation was launched in August 2020 in response to two deaths on construction sites in Denman Prospect.
“As I said in October, we will be investigating these breaches by repeat offenders and where appropriate, we will be pursuing prosecutions,” Ms Agius said. “These businesses have been warned, and continue to flout safety requirements to the absolute detriment of their workers.”
This time of year, WorkSafe ACT said, can come with enormous pressure as many worksites, businesses and workers push to complete work before they break for the holidays.
Ms Agius urged everyone to be patient, understanding, and realistic in December.
“We should all take a step back and consider the priorities. We want everyone to spend the holiday season with their loved ones. No one should die for a deadline.”
Michael Hopkins, CEO of the Master Builders Association of the ACT, which represents the building and construction industry, said, “It is important that every employer and worker on a residential building site make safety their number one priority.
“People who show repeated and blatant disregard for safety laws have no place in our industry and only make it harder for the many reputable companies who exemplify workplace safety.”
