Safe Work NSW urged to ramp up workplace inspections

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Safe Work NSW Urged to Ramp Up Workplace Inspections Amid Construction Falls

Safe Work NSW is urging inspectors to ramp up workplace inspections after a spike in construction site injuries and fatalities across New South Wales. Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis has called on the regulator to intensify oversight following a string of serious falls involving young workers.

Last week, three young workers suffered serious injuries after falling at construction sites in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands. One of the workers succumbed to his injuries. Safe Work NSW is investigating all the incidents.

Falls Remain the Leading Cause of Construction Deaths

Minister Cotsis said falls are the number one cause of deaths on construction sites, but stressed such incidents are "completely preventable." She noted that improved safe work method statements and stronger site-level risk management could reduce these avoidable tragedies significantly.

"In this day and age there should not be workers dying at work, they should be able to come home safely to their family and friends," she said.

Why Workplace Inspections Matter for Worker Health and Safety

Regular workplace inspections help identify hazardous conditions before they cause harm. Construction sites often involve height work, heavy equipment operation and electrical installations, all of which carry elevated risk when safety controls lapse.

Effective inspection regimes should examine:

• Fall prevention equipment, including harnesses, guardrails and scaffolding
• Electrical equipment and wiring to reduce shock and fire risk
• Manual handling practices, particularly for tasks involving heavy or awkward loads
• Site-specific hazard controls documented in a rigging safe work procedure

Workers on construction sites face compounding risk when multiple hazardous conditions exist simultaneously, such as unguarded edges combined with faulty electrical equipment or improperly maintained lifting gear.

Strengthening Site Safety Through Documentation

Employers can reduce risk exposure by ensuring every high-risk task, from manual handling to electrical work, is backed by a documented procedure. A manual handling safe work method statement helps workers understand correct lifting techniques and equipment use, lowering injury rates linked to musculoskeletal strain.

Similarly, tasks involving powered tools should reference a jigsaw safe work method statement or equivalent equipment-specific guidance, ensuring operators follow consistent safety steps regardless of experience level.

Health Outcomes Depend on Consistent Oversight

Minister Cotsis's comments highlight a broader concern: worker health outcomes suffer when inspection frequency drops. Construction remains one of the highest-risk industries for both physical injury and long-term health impacts, particularly where electrical equipment, mobile plant and height-access equipment intersect on busy sites.

Strengthening inspection cadence across NSW construction sites could help identify hazardous practices earlier, giving employers time to correct equipment faults, retrain workers, or update safe work procedures before incidents occur.

Building a Safer Site Culture

Beyond regulatory inspections, businesses can proactively protect workers by fostering a safe work environment that encourages hazard reporting and continuous improvement. This includes maintaining equipment logs, scheduling regular equipment checks and ensuring all electrical equipment meets current compliance standards.

Sites that combine strong internal safety culture with external regulatory oversight tend to see fewer repeat incidents. Workers who feel empowered to report hazardous equipment or unsafe practices without fear of reprisal contribute directly to reduced risk across the workforce.

Supporting Documentation for High-Risk Trades

Trades such as plastering also carry specific health and equipment risks, from dust exposure to working at height. A dedicated plastering safe work method statement can help formalise safety expectations for these tasks.

National Safe Work Month initiatives, including National Safe Work Month 2024 and its predecessor National Safe Work Month 2023, reinforce this message annually, encouraging employers to review equipment maintenance schedules and refresh safety documentation ahead of peak construction periods.

Read the full story on the ABC News website.

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