Construction sites across Sydney were visited by SafeWork inspectors last week as part of a blitz targeting unsafe working systems across all building trades.
It comes as investigations continue into a workplace incident in which a 29-year-old man was injured when he fell seven metres from a construction site at Caringbah in September last year.
The Better Regulation Divisions compliance and dispute resolution executive director Tony Williams said the visits were part of a statewide crackdown focusing on site housekeeping, height safety, falling objects, electrical, moving plant operations and controlling risks related to silica and asbestos exposure.
Mr Williams said the compliance blitz, which took place from March 9 to 11 saw inspectors visit construction sites to make sure those most at risk from workplace injury were protected by safe systems of work.
"Far too often our inspectors identify concerns with the way scaffolding is set up and other dangers involving working from heights, so we will be targeting these issues in particular," he said.
"Falls from heights are the number one killer on NSW construction sites, with most people who are seriously injured or killed falling from a height of four metres or less."
A 29-year-old man was injured when he fell seven metres from a construction site at Caringbah in September last year.
Four ambulance crews, including a specialist medical team aboard a helicopter, were called to the construction site on Taren Point Road to treat the man for a pelvic injury.
SafeWork NSW immediately began an investigation.
A spokesman for SafeWork NSW, responding to questions from the Leader, said the investigation was still continuing six months later.
"SafeWork NSW is continuing to investigate an incident on September 23, 2020, where a 29-year old man fell from a height of approximately seven metres while undertaking work on a construction site on Taren Point Road.
"SafeWork's investigation is ongoing and further comment is not available at this time."
He said statistics relating to the recent blitz, including any breaches, was still being gathered.
On-the-spot fines of $3600 for corporations and $720 for individuals can be issued to businesses who place workers' lives at risk through inadequate protection from falls from heights, or for those who undertake high-risk work requiring a licence, or those undertaking high-risk silica practices.
SafeWork offers advisory services to builders and tradespeople to assist builders to achieve safe sites.
Details: Contact SafeWork on 13 10 50 or click here.
