WorkSafe ACT has launched a safety campaign calling for members of the Canberra community to join it in its fight against danger and injury at work.
According to the Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius, the menace of workplace breaches appears to be active in the Territory’s residential construction industry in which workers continue to be at risk.
“WorkSafe ACT has been consistently on the ground across Canberra’s growing suburbs since the launch of Operation Safe Prospect in 2020,” Ms Agius said.
“This residential construction strategy was driven by two unexpected and tragic deaths in the industry within months of each other, in January and February 2020.”
She said that since that time, WorkSafe ACT had completed 1,363 workplace visits and issued: 1,655 improvement notices; 385 prohibition notices; and 92 infringement notices.
“The same Work Health and Safety breaches are being observed in residential construction time and time again,” Ms Agius said,
“In our latest campaign in Whitlam, the types of breaches being observed have not changed.”
She said her inspectors continue to observe unsafe work practices and significant breaches of the work health and safety laws.
“Those responsible are not adequately managing site security or providing suitable worker amenities, and they are not adequately managing falls from heights,” she said.
“This is frustrating, disappointing and dangerous.”
Ms Agius said that in the lead up to the launch of WorkSafe ACT’s residential construction strategy this June, she would be reaching out to the ACT community to help curb the safety breaches in the sector.
“As a community we all play a role in supporting each other to come home safely from work,” she said.
“I am asking Canberra to put health and safety first.
“If you see something on a worksite that isn’t right, let us know. If you have hired a builder and your instincts tell you they are cutting corners when it comes to health and safety, reach out to us.”
The Commissioner said her staff were available over the phone and by email and if anyone wanted to contact them they would respond accordingly.
“We want to work together with the community, to make sure that all workplaces are safe for all workers,” Ms Agius said.
“You can reach WorkSafe ACT on 6207 3000, after hours on 0419 120 028 or email us at [email protected],” she said.
