Program aims to improve safety in the construction industry

Program Aims to Improve Safety in the Construction Industry

WorkSafe Victoria is encouraging small to medium-sized businesses to sign up to the Occupational Health and Safety Essentials Program, a scheme designed to improve safety in the construction industry across the state.

According to WorkSafe figures, construction remains one of the most dangerous industries in Victoria, accounting for about 14 percent of all accepted injury claims in 2021. Leading causes of injury included body stressing, slips, trips and falls, and being hit by moving plant or equipment.

These figures show 12 construction workers died on the job during 2021, underscoring why proactive injury prevention and robust risk management remain critical priorities for every worksite.

What Does the OHS Essentials Program Offer?

WorkSafe Victoria says the OHS Essentials Program exists to help make construction workplaces safer. Businesses gain access to free, independent and personalised advice covering standard safety practices, hazardous work procedures and plant operation.

Consultants guide employers through practical steps such as reviewing a construction safety plan, developing SWMS for hazardous tasks, and ensuring plant is maintained to a safe standard. A well-documented SWMS gives crews a clear procedure to follow before work begins, reducing confusion and improving compliance with safety regulations.

• Free, independent consultations tailored to individual worksites
• Guidance on SWMS development for hazardous tasks involving plant or heavy equipment
• Support to train your staff on safe work procedure and injury prevention
• Advice on maintaining a consistent safety standard across projects

Personalised Advice for Unique Industry Challenges

OHS Consultant Gloria Morosinotto said the program offered personalised advice to deal with unique challenges facing the construction industry.

"The OHS Essentials Program is really about helping them to not only manage health and safety risk but helping them to provide a great working environment for everyone. We're not inspectors, we're all independent consultants that provide this service," Ms Morosinotto said.

Consultants often recommend a documented SWMS as the foundation of any safety program, since it sets out procedure for hazardous activities, identifies plant requirements and clarifies responsibilities for workers on-site. Every SWMS should reflect current safety standard requirements and be reviewed regularly as tasks or plant usage change.

Why SWMS Matter for Construction Sites

A Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is a legal requirement for high-risk construction work in many jurisdictions. Businesses without an existing SWMS, or those seeking to update one, can benefit from consultant guidance through the OHS Essentials Program.

Each SWMS should cover:

• Step-by-step procedure for hazardous tasks
• Plant and equipment involved, including inspection requirements
• Control measures aligned with recognised safety standard benchmarks
• Roles and responsibilities for workers involved in the task

For businesses wanting a head start, a comprehensive construction and civil works safety template can help streamline SWMS creation and improve compliance ahead of a WorkSafe consultation.

Learn More

For more information about the OHS Essentials Program, go to the WorkSafe Victoria website.

Other jurisdictions have launched similar efforts to improve safety in the construction industry. Read about the ACT's plan to improve safety in the construction industry, or explore how the NHVR's Code of Practice aims to improve safety in a different high-risk sector.

Businesses working with excavation or concrete pumping plant may also find value in a dedicated excavation program guide or a concrete pumps program guide, both offering a practical SWMS starting point for teams managing hazardous plant operations. Steel-focused projects can also draw on a tailored steel construction safety package to support ongoing risk management.