WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW plan Yarrawonga-Mulwala construction safety blitz

WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW inspectors will visit worksites in Victoria and NSW from August 21 to 25 in the latest cross border construction blitz.

WorkSafe director construction and earth resources Matt Wielgosz said proactive inspections in such a high-risk industry were important.

"It's a million times better to identify and fix safety issues beforehand than it is to see a workmate suffer a horrific injury or death that could've been easily avoided," he said.

"Every single injury and death caused by falling from height is preventable if the right safety measures are in place."

Since 2018 in Victoria, there have been 20 fatal falls from height in the construction industry while 16 people have been killed by falls on NSW construction sites between 2018 and 2022.

Workers aged between 20 and 29 experience the highest number of falls and those aged over 50 make up the highest number of fatalities.

SafeWork NSW executive director compliance and dispute resolution Matt Press said inspectors had visited more than 80 construction sites in the NSW Murray region so far in 2023, issuing 187 improvement notices, 37 prohibition orders and eight penalty notices for unsafe work.

"This year we have also responded to eight dangerous incidents on top of 21 serious injuries, so we're targeting this cross border region with our Victorian colleagues to hold duty holders to account on their site safety performance," he said.

Inspectors will also seek to ensure employers are identifying high-risk crystalline silica work and preparing hazard control statements prior to starting the work.

"Cutting or crushing products like ceramic tiles, concrete, bricks and marble without appropriate protection can also put workers at risk of respiratory diseases like silicosis," Mr Wielgosz said.

"There are, however, measures employers can and must take to protect workers engaged in high-risk silica work, including providing tools with water suppression, supplying well-fitted PPE and carrying out air monitoring."

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