Bricklaying and masonry safety campaign

Over the past five years, 269 bricklayers in Victoria have been injured seriously enough to make an injury claim. With an average cost of $40,000 per injury, these injuries not only impact the bricklayers and their relatives who suffer, but also the WorkSafe premium that bricklaying companies have to pay.

Commencing in March 2009, WorkSafe inspectors will be visiting housing and commercial sites and targeting bricklaying. The inspectors will use each visit to check that bricklayers are safe from structural collapse, physical strain and slips, trips and falls.

WorkSafe inspectors will be using a checklist when they make their visit and builders and bricklayers are urged to download and read the checklist and use it at their sites.

Inspectors will also be checking that bricklayers have safe work method statements, construction induction cards and site inductions.

To further assist in improving safety for bricklayers, WorkSafe and the Housing Industry Association are offering a $500 rebate on the purchase of a new brick elevator (available until 31 December 2009) or a three-hour free health and safety consultation.

Details on the program and rebates can be obtained from www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/construction or by contacting WorkSafe’s Advisory Service on 1800 136 089.