WorkSafe ACT has issued almost 250 improvement and prohibition notices and 23 infringement notices totalling more than $80,000 over the current financial year so far.
In addition, its inspectors negotiated enforceable undertakings worth more than $700,000 and made 3,854 workplace visits.
ACT Work Safety Commissioner, Greg Jones said there had also been two successful prosecutions and a number of significant charges laid, including the first manslaughter charge for a workplace fatality in the ACT, which is currently before the courts.
“It has been a busy financial year so far and in terms of activity we are already tracking higher than the previous year in compliance actions,” Mr Jones said.
“Our skilled inspectors are in workplaces and worksites across the ACT every day to support safety and take action where appropriate.”
He said that at the end of May there had been 2,248 proactive and 1,606 reactive workplace visits to ensure Canberrans have a safe place of work.
Mr Jones said inspectors had visited 123 workplaces and spoken to 144 apprentices and young workers as part of the Young Workers and Apprentice Audit that began in March.
“Young workers continue to be a key focus for WorkSafe as there is increased vulnerability with inexperience both in skills and ability as well as in knowing their rights and responsibilities when it comes to work health and safety,” he said.
“We will report the findings of the Audit throughout the year as this important work progresses.”
Mr Jones said that while the figures reflected strong regulatory activity, they did not capture the extensive education and engagement that occurred every day with employers, workers and industry, which prevented many safety issues before they occurred.
“This pre-emptive intervention works hand-in-hand with enforcement action, which WorkSafe ACT doesn’t hesitate to take where there are serious or repeated safety concerns,” he said.
