WorkSafe WA to examine construction safety in goldfields

WorkSafe WA inspectors hope to conduct around 50 inspections in Kalgoorlie, Esperance and surrounding areas for a week in October.

WorkSafe Director of Construction, Regional and Primary Industries, Chris Kirwin, said that the inspection campaign aimed to improve construction safety standards in the 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.

“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 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, where inspectors 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.”