WorkSafe to examine construction safety in Goldfields
Issue Date: - Friday, 2 October 2009
WorkSafe will conduct an inspection program of construction sites in the Goldfields region next month.
WorkSafe inspectors hope to conduct around 50 inspections in Kalgoorlie, Esperance and surrounding areas for a week in mid-October.
WorkSafe Director of Construction, Regional and Primary Industries, Chris Kirwin, said today that the inspection campaign aimed to improve construction safety standards in the Goldfields region.
"Campaigns like these aim to raise awareness of hazards in the targeted industries, and also to remind those involved of their responsibilities in minimising the risk of injury," Mr Kirwin said.
"Inspectors will be taking a general look at construction sites, but there will be some specific areas on which they will concentrate.
"They will be checking that workers on construction sites have undergone the compulsory Construction Induction Training and hold current and valid 'blue cards' or approved interstate equivalents, and that Safe Work Method Statements are in place for construction work considered to be high risk.
"Inspectors will also be taking a close look at scaffolding - edge protection in particular - and paying close attention to WorkSafe priority areas including electrical safety and safe work at heights.
"The Goldfields campaign follows a similar campaign in the Mid-West of the State in June that resulted in positive feedback from WorkSafe inspectors, but it did demonstrate that areas such as scaffolding, electrical safety and work at heights were still of concern.
"The inspectors who conducted the previous campaign in the Mid-West region reported that the safety standards of construction workers in the region had improved since their last visit, and were generally of a high standard.
"The inspectors will also take the opportunity to encourage small construction businesses to take advantage of the ThinkSafe Small Business Assistance Program, which offers businesses with less than 20 employees a free three-hour assessment by an independent safety and health consultant.
"The program of regional inspection campaigns is all about increasing awareness of workplace safety in the regions, but inspectors will not hesitate to issue notices where they discover breaches of the laws."
Further information on construction safety can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.
Media contact: Caroline De Vaney 9327 8744 or 0408 927563 (media enquiries only).