Joint inspection blitz finds safety breaches at border construction sites

Joint Inspection Blitz Finds Safety Breaches at Border Construction Sites

A joint inspection blitz has found safety breaches at border construction sites, with inspectors from Victoria and NSW visiting worksites along the border to promote workplace safety standards.

The week-long inspection blitz focused on raising awareness about risks tied to working at height and silica dust exposure, two hazards that continue to threaten worker health across the sector.

Why WorkSafe and SafeWork Ran a Joint Blitz

WorkSafe Director of Construction and Earth Resources Matt Wielgosz described the joint effort as "an effective way to improve safety" at construction sites in Albury and Wodonga.

"Face-to-face conversations and inspections help employers to check that their safety knowledge is up-to-date and that they have appropriate systems in place to keep their workers safe and healthy," he said.

SafeWork NSW Regional Construction Director Laurence Richey confirmed more than 50 improvement notices were issued during the visits, highlighting ongoing gaps in site safety practices near Mildura and Buronga.

Key Risks Targeted During the Blitz

Falls from height remain among the leading causes of serious injury on building sites, which is why inspectors prioritised checking fall prevention measures. Silica dust exposure was equally scrutinised, given its long-term health impacts on workers.

• Fall prevention systems and edge protection
• Silica dust control measures and respiratory protection
• General workplace housekeeping and hazard management

Employers can reduce the risk of falls and improve compliance by using a construction site inspection checklist alongside a documented construction safety plan to demonstrate up-to-date safety systems during future joint inspections.

For sites managing electrical hazards alongside height and dust risks, an electrical safety audit checklist can further support compliance efforts.

What This Means for Border Construction Sites

This blitz reinforces a broader pattern of regulatory attention on border construction sites, following similar efforts detailed in our coverage of a joint safety blitz targeting border construction sites and a related report on a joint safety blitz revealing safety breaches at construction sites.

Businesses operating steel-frame or structural projects should also review our steel construction safety packages to ensure documentation meets current regulatory expectations.

Additional information regarding the blitz outcomes is available on the WorkSafe Victoria website.