Published Tuesday, 19 December, 2006 at 09:17 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
CHRISTMAS WORKSITE HEALTH AND SAFETY URGED
With most building construction sites closing down tomorrow for the Christmas holiday break, contractors and employers have been urged to consider their workplace health and safety responsibilities and ensure hazards are removed from locked down worksites.
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said that although building and other worksites may be closed over the holiday period there were many hazards that posed a serious risk to public health. He said common hazards that could be minimised when cleaning up or securing a worksite for any period of inactivity included:
• Open trenches and swimming pools under construction - there is a risk both from the fall and possibly drowning in rain water that may accumulate. This risk applies particularly to children and additional precautions are required where the site is close to playgrounds, sports ovals or other public areas.
• Falls from heights where the surface has not been provided with guard railing or access onto a structure has not been adequately controlled.
• Objects that have not been adequately secured against summer storms or strong winds.
• Trip hazards and the risk of falling on sharp objects such as steel re-enforcement bars.
• Crushing hazards from the collapse of excavations or the collapse of incomplete walls in strong winds.
• Dangerous goods and hazardous substances that have not been effectively stored and locked away.
• Hazards from plant that can be easily operated by vandals.
“The Workplace Health and Safety Act requires principal contractors to ensure that activities at the workplace are safe and without risk of injury or illness to members of the public at or near the workplace,” Mr Mickel said.
“The best way to reduce the public risk is to ensure building sites are fenced and gates are locked. Signs prohibiting unauthorised persons should also be provided and plant should be locked to prevent unauthorised use.”
“Loose materials should be secured so they cannot blow away in a storm. Where it is impracticable to fence a site, builders should take additional steps to ensure potential hazards are secured,” Mr Mickel said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
19 December 2006
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said that although building and other worksites may be closed over the holiday period there were many hazards that posed a serious risk to public health. He said common hazards that could be minimised when cleaning up or securing a worksite for any period of inactivity included:
• Open trenches and swimming pools under construction - there is a risk both from the fall and possibly drowning in rain water that may accumulate. This risk applies particularly to children and additional precautions are required where the site is close to playgrounds, sports ovals or other public areas.
• Falls from heights where the surface has not been provided with guard railing or access onto a structure has not been adequately controlled.
• Objects that have not been adequately secured against summer storms or strong winds.
• Trip hazards and the risk of falling on sharp objects such as steel re-enforcement bars.
• Crushing hazards from the collapse of excavations or the collapse of incomplete walls in strong winds.
• Dangerous goods and hazardous substances that have not been effectively stored and locked away.
• Hazards from plant that can be easily operated by vandals.
“The Workplace Health and Safety Act requires principal contractors to ensure that activities at the workplace are safe and without risk of injury or illness to members of the public at or near the workplace,” Mr Mickel said.
“The best way to reduce the public risk is to ensure building sites are fenced and gates are locked. Signs prohibiting unauthorised persons should also be provided and plant should be locked to prevent unauthorised use.”
“Loose materials should be secured so they cannot blow away in a storm. Where it is impracticable to fence a site, builders should take additional steps to ensure potential hazards are secured,” Mr Mickel said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
19 December 2006