Comment sought on new national construction safety document
Issue Date: - Friday, 6 June 2008
The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) is seeking public comment from interested parties in WA on the Draft National Code of Practice for the Prevention of Falls in Housing Construction.
The new code aims to reduce deaths and injuries from falls in the residential construction sector, and also provides guidance for the sector on how to meet its workplace safety and health obligations.
WorkSafe Director of Policy and Education, Gail McGowan, said today that the draft code emphasised a risk management approach to housing construction work through hazard identification and risk assessment.
“It is a sad fact that an average of two Western Australians die every year as a result of workplace falls, with around 1200 additional injuries, many of them serious and permanent,” Ms McGowan said.
“Falls are one of the most significant causes of workplace death in the construction industry, and this code aims to reduce this tragic toll.”
At the moment, State and Territory legislation covers a range of construction activities with numerous and complex regulations and guidance material.
The new code aims to provide a consistent national approach to the prevention of falls in housing construction, reducing duplication and making it easier for employers and employees working in more than one State to comply with the regulations.
“The ASCC – the national workplace safety authority – is currently accepting public comment on the draft code, and I urge anyone with an interest in the construction industry to take a look at the code and submit their comments,” Ms McGowan said.
“It is important that stakeholders in the industry have some say in the regulations under which they work, and they can be confident that any submissions made will be considered when finalising the code.
“Falls are a very significant occupational safety and health issue, and input into the formulation of this new code will be an important contribution to the safety and health of a large number of Australian workers.”
The public comment period ends on July 31. The draft code can be accessed via a link on the WorkSafe website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.