Nearly $1 million in fines issued as SafeWork intensifies efforts to protect workers from falls

Nearly $1 Million in Fines Issued as SafeWork Intensifies Efforts to Protect Workers From Falls

SafeWork NSW's year-long inspection blitz on falls from heights has reached its halfway mark, with fines amounting to nearly $1 million already issued. The regulator's compliance blitz confirms that falls remain the leading cause of traumatic workplace fatalities across NSW construction sites, reinforcing why robust falls management plans and fall protection systems remain essential for site safety.

Why SafeWork NSW Launched This Campaign

SafeWork launched the 'Working at Heights in Construction' campaign in response to an alarming rise in severe injuries and fatalities caused by falls from heights, resulting in the loss of 17 lives between 2018 and 2022. Working at height continues to pose one of the most persistent hazards facing construction crews, and this sustained enforcement effort demonstrates SafeWork NSW's commitment to reducing preventable fatalities.

The campaign targets sites where height safety standards are inconsistently applied, particularly where fall protection systems remain absent or poorly maintained. Construction employers carry ongoing responsibility for ensuring workers operating at height have access to proper anchor points, edge protection, and fall arrest equipment.

Enforcement Numbers at the Halfway Mark

Since May last year, SafeWork inspectors have conducted inspections at 1,218 worksites, leading to the issuance of:

• 1,499 Improvement Notices
• 727 Prohibition Notices
• 352 Penalty Notices, totaling $972,000 in fines

These figures highlight how seriously SafeWork NSW treats non-compliance around working at heights. Fines issued so far reflect a system designed not merely to punish but to drive genuine behavioural change across construction workplaces.

What SafeWork NSW Leadership Says

Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said, "As we pass the halfway point of SafeWork's 'Working at Heights in Construction' compliance blitz, it is important to note that falls from heights is still the number one cause of traumatic fatalities on NSW construction sites."

Curtin's comments underscore why ongoing vigilance matters. Construction businesses must treat height safety compliance as a continuous obligation rather than a one-off inspection checkbox, supporting workers through proper training, equipment, and supervision.

How Construction Employers Can Support Compliance

Businesses operating at height should take proactive steps to support safer outcomes and avoid penalties. Consider these actions:

• Review existing fall protection systems against current standards
• Provide regular training so crews understand working at height obligations
• Maintain documented safe work method statements for tasks involving heights
• Support workers with accessible falls prevention checklists and emergency response procedures

Employers seeking guidance on documentation requirements can consult resources such as when a Safe Work Method Statement is required, alongside templates like the Falls from Heavy Vehicles SOP and Falls Emergency Rescue Plan, which support businesses working to strengthen their health and safety systems.

Related SafeWork Initiatives

This falls campaign sits alongside other SafeWork NSW initiatives aimed at protecting worker health and wellbeing, including efforts to protect workers from dust-related diseases, a campaign to protect retail workers from extreme heat, and federal funding supporting efforts to address occupational lung diseases. Together, these initiatives reflect a broader push toward stronger safety standards across NSW industries.

Read more here.