Tower crane audit reveals limited inspection knowledge among owners
Results are in from the latest WorkSafe WA inspection campaign for tower crane maintenance across both metropolitan and regional construction sites. The audit findings suggest that tower crane owners have a limited understanding of correct procedures for major inspections of the cranes. Most of the cranes were following the recommended inspection and maintenance schedules set…
Read MoreCompany fined for operating without high-risk work licence
A construction company has been fined $2,160 after a allowing a worker to operate an elevated working platform (EWP) without a high-risk work licence. SafeWork SA issued the company with an expiation after an inspector witnessed the operation of a mobile boom-type EWP and discovering that the operator did not hold the required licence. The…
Read MoreSA Construction leading the COVID recovery effort
As South Australia recovers from the challenges of COVID-19, it is the construction section leading the recovery effort. SA has put forward the highest job growth numbers within the country within the critical building and construction sector, with the creation of over 2,700 jobs since July this year. ABS job data up to the start…
Read MoreSiteBook’s Guide to Site Inductions
Site Inductions Site inductions are a great way for principal contractors and workers to exchange safety information. It is important that all workers including contractors are advised of site specific work health and safety risks prior to commencing work. Likewise, site management should ensure that workers are qualified to undertake the work they have been…
Read MoreCompany fined $20k for failing to induct contractors
A Victorian aged-care provider was recently convicted and fined $20,000 for failing to properly induct sub-contracted workers. The company was charged with ‘failing to ensure people other than employees were not exposed to risks to their health and safety’. After an incident occurred leaving a resident in need of medical care, the subcontracted worker was…
Read MoreUpdates to respirable dust laws for WA and NSW
The WA and NSW governments have recently taken steps to further aid prevention of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure and other occupational dust diseases. Western Australia Western Australia have halved their workplace exposure standard for RCS to 0.05 mg/m3 over an 8-hour period. WA have also halved the exposure limit for respirable coal dust to…
Read MoreResidential construction sites issued $11,000 in fines
Residential construction sites have been put on notice after a string of WorkSafe ACT inspections resulted in multiple notices and over $11,000 in fines. 10 sites in Taylor were visited by WorkSafe inspectors earlier this month, who issued 23 improvement notices, four prohibition notices, and four infringement notices for non-compliance. The inspections were part of…
Read MoreSafeWork Australia releases Key WHS Statistics Report 2020
SafeWork Australia has released their key findings report for work-related injury and fatality statistics. This is part of National Safe Work Month and part SafeWork’s goal of using data to make workplaces safe. Among Australian work industries, construction posted the third highest number of fatalities and the fifth highest fatality rate per 100,000 workers this…
Read MoreResults of SafeWork SA SWMS compliance audit
SafeWork SA have released a report following their 2020 Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) compliance audits. Construction workers after exposed to a wide variety of risks, and the construction industry frequently records high rates of injury and death among workers. As a result, the construction industry has been marked as a priority in the Australian…
Read More1300 construction jobs heading for SA
South Australia is set to receive a wave of construction jobs after the announcement of $1bn in infrastructure projects commencing in the next 6 months. Starting this month, the Marshall Government is set to bring 1,300 jobs to construction workers with two of the state’s biggest regional infrastructure projects – the Port Wakefield Overpass and…
Read More