WA safety inspections find electrical problems

A WorkSafe targeted inspection program of construction sites in the south-west of Western Australia revealed some areas of concern, including deficiencies in testing and tagging electrical appliances, but generally good compliance to standards.

Construction inspectors conducted 50 investigations in the area from Bunbury to Augusta in December, issuing 26 improvement notices and 15 prohibition notices, along with verbal directions to inform the industry in the region of their obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and Regulations.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne was pleased with the positive feedback given by WorkSafe inspectors about the levels of compliance with workplace safety and health requirements, stating: “The inspectors reported that the safety standards of construction work in the region were generally high.

“Despite the overall good performance of the construction industry in the south-west, some areas of concern did emerge from the inspections — for instance, we’re still very concerned at the number of unsafe work practices and breaches found in relation to electricity.

“After a similar campaign two years ago, inspectors reported that it was difficult to get portable electrical equipment tested and tagged because local electrical contractors were not providing this service. And although action was taken at the time to ensure that local contractors did provide this service, it seems that problems still exist with the testing and tagging of electrical equipment.

“It is absolutely crucial that action is taken on every risk in the workplace and that safe work practices are in place on every construction site in the state, even with the constraints of any regional issues.

“Electricity [is a] priority for WorkSafe and a large amount of time and resources are dedicated to reducing the number of injuries and deaths that involve [this issue]. We do acknowledge the specific difficulties encountered in regional areas, and we were pleased to note the positive attitude of the construction industry in the south-west and the proactive approach to workplace safety and health taken by many involved in the industry there.”