The lack of security surrounding some Border construction projects has been described as "shocking" by authorities.
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SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe Victoria visited 52 sites in Albury and Wodonga during a safety blitz last month, handing out 31 improvement notices and one prohibition notice.
SafeWork NSW director of regional construction Laurence Richey said the 31 Albury sites received 20 notices.
"It is shocking to see a third of those notices issued for poor site security," he said.
"Site security precautions, including fences, are not just there to protect the property but it is to stop people from going onsite and potentially getting hurt.
"It was also really disappointing to walk on to sites which have serious falls risks, as well as scaffolds with missing parts or evidence that unlicensed workers had altered or removed scaffolding components."
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SafeWork NSW said on the spot fines of $3600 for corporations and $720 for individuals could be issued to businesses that placed workers' lives at risk through inadequate protection from falls from heights or that undertook high risk work requiring a licence or high risk silica practices.
Mr Richey said follow-up visits would check compliance, take enforcement action and apply sanctions as required.
"When you go to work, you should get the job done and at the end of the day be going home to your family safe - but this cannot happen when your worksite has major risks and hazards which have not been addressed," he said.
"We will continue to target unsafe and illegal work in the building trades and we will get to your site sooner rather than later."
Builders can ring 13 10 50 for safety advice.
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