WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW will be conducting safety blitzes aimed at construction sites.
Key focusses will be asbestos as well as proper working from heights safety practices.
“Since 2018, there have been 76 fatalities in construction, making it the deadliest industry in Victoria,” WorkSafe Construction and Earth Resources Director Matt Wielgosz said.
“Falling from height is the most common cause of these deaths, so we’re making sure employers are aware of their duties when it comes to fall prevention.”
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Construction workers account for nearly a third (2,351 of the 7,999) of accepted claims from falls from height.
Across the border, NSW has recorded 18 fatalities from falling from heights since 2018.
“The vast majority of falls on NSW construction sites occur on ladders, incomplete scaffolds, falls from a truck, a roof edge or falling through fragile roof sheeting,” SafeWork NSW Regional Director Construction Services Laurence Richey said.
“We will be taking take a zero-tolerance approach to workers’ lives being placed at risk, and will issue notices to improve work practices, stop unsafe work and on-the-spot fines for serious safety breaches.”
WorkSafe VIC has fined seven companies $235,520 for asbestos-related breaches.
SafeWork NSW has issued 143 asbestos-related fines totally $496,642.
“Asbestos related diseases are preventable, and inspectors will be reminding tradies to exercise extreme caution when working on homes or buildings built before the late 1980s as they may contain asbestos,” Richey said.