SafeWork inspectors have issued $115,000 in fines after a safety blitz of more than 460 construction sites in NSW.
The blitz revealed that workers were at particularly high risk of injuries related to falls.
SafeWork has also prosecuted six construction companies through the District Court, which has issued $780,000 in fines.
NSW Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said he was seriously concerned by the results and has ordered SafeWork inspectors to continue the crackdown on unsafe worksites.
The state government launched a 12-month safety blitz in November last year and will on Friday release its preliminary results.
“We’re over half way through the blitz and it’s become very clear that worksites need to better enforce strict safety measures," Mr Kean said.
“I want to reassure workers and their families that SafeWork will continue to come down hard on any construction company failing to protect its workers.”
Figures from SafeWork NSW revealed falls from heights incidents had more than tripled in the past five years, prompting a 12-month safety blitz which started in November last year. The raids revealed widespread safety failures when it came to working from heights.
“Falls from heights are the number one killer on NSW construction sites and these latest findings are deeply troubling,” Mr Kean said.
The full article by Anna Parry can be read online at Sydney Morning Herald
