Joint Safety Blitz Targets Falls and Workplace Psychosocial Hazards

WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW have joined forces to support the construction industry in Albury and Wodonga in efforts to minimise workplace hazards. Together, both regulators are rolling out a joint safety blitz targeting falls and workplace psychosocial hazards across border construction sites, with a strong focus on health and management practices that keep crews protected.

As part of the Cross Border program, workplace safety inspectors will visit construction sites on either side of the border from April 15-19 to ensure employers understand their health and safety responsibilities, particularly regarding preventing fall risks and psychosocial hazards. Inspectors will check whether hazardous plant, electrical equipment, and site layouts meet current standards, and whether management systems address psychosocial hazard exposure for every worker on site.

What the Cross Border Construction Blitz Covers

Construction businesses operating near the Victoria-NSW border should expect closer scrutiny of several key areas during this period:

• Fall prevention measures at height, including scaffolding, edge protection, and harness use
• Psychosocial hazards affecting worker health, such as excessive workloads and poor support structures
• Electrical safety on active construction sites, including temporary power setups and hazardous plant connections
• Management of hazardous plant and equipment, including maintenance records and operator competency
• General site management practices that reduce risk exposure for employees and subcontractors

Construction employers on both sides of the border share equal responsibility for identifying and managing these hazards, regardless of whether their site sits in Victoria or NSW. For guidance on identifying and reporting risks before inspectors arrive, see our guide to hazard reporting in health and safety.

Free Trade Breakfast Ahead of the Blitz

A free Trade Breakfast will be held at Dahlsens Albury Wodonga on Friday, 12th April, hosted by WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW to discuss construction hazards and offer guidance on preparing worksites for inspections ahead of the blitz.

This session gives construction management teams a chance to ask questions directly, understand what inspectors will look for, and get practical support before the formal inspection period begins. Businesses that manage hazardous plant, electrical systems, or psychosocial hazard programs are encouraged to attend and review their current management approach.

Why Psychosocial Hazards Matter in Construction

Psychosocial hazards remain a growing concern across the construction sector, alongside long-standing physical risks like falls from height. Effective management of workplace psychosocial hazards protects worker health just as much as controlling electrical or hazardous plant risks does.

Construction businesses can strengthen their psychosocial hazard management by reviewing existing policies and support structures. Our Psychosocial Hazards Policy template and broader Psychosocial Hazards Management Plans offer practical starting points for construction employers preparing for the joint safety blitz.

Preparing Your Construction Site for Inspection

Ahead of the blitz, construction management teams should review:

• Current fall protection systems and documented management procedures
• Electrical safety compliance for all site equipment and hazardous plant
• Psychosocial hazard management plans and worker support resources
• Objectives and targets tied to workplace health outcomes — see our Objectives and Targets Policy for reference

Additional information is available on the SafeWork NSW website. Construction employers wanting broader context on workplace safety trends can also review coverage of the global workplace safety and health congress in Sydney, and explore our related report on the joint safety blitz targeting border construction sites.

Construction professionals looking to build stronger management systems and network with industry peers can also attend the Workplace Health and Safety Show, which covers falls prevention, psychosocial hazards, and broader construction safety management topics in depth.