Construction safety issues improving in Throsby

WorkSafe ACT has revisited residential construction sites in Throsby, Canberra, as part of Operation Safe Prospect, a campaign to improve work health and safety (WHS) standards in the residential construction industry. Inspectors visited 15 sites and issued 21 improvement notices, nine prohibition notices and one infringement notice.

During their first visit to Throsby on 4 November, WorkSafe ACT inspectors visited 18 residential construction sites and issued 12 prohibition notices, 42 improvement notices and four infringement notices.

Jacqueline Agius, WHS Commissioner, said she was pleased with the results of the second inspection, which was an improvement on the previous inspection, but added that there is still more work to be done to improve WHS standards.

“We continue to see safety risks at residential construction sites which can lead to death or serious injury [... .] Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) need to make sure they have safe systems of work in place and that safety is prioritised at their sites,” Agius said.

Agius emphasised that safety must come first, so that every worker can make it home safely at the end of their shift. As part of Operation Safe Prospect, inspectors will continue to visit and revisit greenfield sites in the territory, to ensure that workers WHS obligations are complied with.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Mikael Damkier