Issue Date:  -  Thursday, 15 July 2004

Blitz on northern suburbs construction sites

WorkSafe construction industry inspectors will conduct a week-long inspection blitz on construction sites in the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo this month.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today that the inspections would focus on specific target areas.

“Between July 19 and 23, WorkSafe inspectors will be targeting the areas responsible for high levels of injury, diseases and fatalities that we consider our priority areas,” she said.

“WorkSafe has nominated six priority areas towards which a substantial amount of resources are directed, and these are the areas inspectors will be looking at.”

The priority areas are:

• Chemicals and harmful substances;
• Electricity;
• Manual handling, in particular lifting;
• New and young workers;
• Slips and trips; and
• Working at heights.

“Also being targeted are the specific areas of tilt-up construction work and cranes, and these will also attract special attention,” Ms Lyhne said.

“New regulations covering cranes came into effect late last year as a result of a long period of consultation and cooperation between employers, unions, the State Government and many others with an interest in the industry.

“The aim of this inspection program is to raise industry awareness of occupational safety and health through enforcement action and education.

“Inspectors from the Construction and Plant and Engineering teams will be looking for situations where the laws are being breached, and will either give verbal directions on how to rectify the situation or issue improvement or prohibition notices where necessary.

“Employers in the area have been informed that the inspection program is taking place, so we expect them to be prepared and their construction sites to be in good order.

“But those employers whose sites are not in compliance with safety laws can expect enforcement action to be taken.”