Clean up your act - WorkSafe construction crackdown begins

Monday, April 06, 2009

Clean up your act - WorkSafe construction crackdown begins 

Basic 'housekeeping' failures on Victoria's building sites are costing the industry $50 million a year(1) - enough to build 270 new homes(2).

The alarming figure has prompted a WorkSafe campaign aimed at eliminating easily preventable and potentially career-changing injuries.

The Director of WorkSafe's Construction and Utilities Division, Chris Webb said good housekeeping did not just happen, but required ongoing effort by everyone on site.

Inspectors will visit sites as part of a three-month, state-wide,  'Back to basics' campaign.

Mr Webb said where inspectors find that sites - including amentities like toilets and lunch rooms - are dangerous, untidy or unclean or where supervision is missing or inadequate, improvement action will be taken.

Mr Webb said site supervisors must ensure, establish and enforce standards and ensure risks are communicated and acted on by all parties including sub-contractors.

Information on a range of construction industry health and safety issues including a detailed 'Back to basics' checklist can be found at www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/construction

(1).      Includes injury treatment and rehabilitation costs and commercial impact on industry.

(2).     Based on the construction cost of a mid-range $180,000 house in an outer Melbourne suburb.

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