Inspectors from WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW will join forces again next week as part of efforts to increase understanding of interstate safety requirements for construction companies working on either side of the border.
Inspections will take place at residential, commercial and civil construction sites at Albury and Wodonga with inspectors communicating construction safety requirements with builders, subcontractors and workers.
High risk construction work, especially risks associated with working from heights, will form a key focus of the inspections.
WorkSafe Victoria Executive Director of Health and Safety, Marnie Williams, said employers working along the border between the two states needed to fully understand their obligations.
“Regardless of which state you work in, the risks and hazards on construction sites are well known, as are control measures that should be in place,” Ms Williams said.
“Construction is a high risk sector and it is absolutely critical that employers ensure risks and hazards are identified and appropriately managed to ensure workers return home safe at the end of the day.”
SafeWork NSW Director, Regional and Response Operations, Tony Williams said it was critical that construction workers were on the same page regarding risks and controls, regardless of which side of the border they were working.
“Each state has the same or similar work health and safety requirements and accepts the other state’s safety documentation,” Mr Williams said.
“Through this project we aim to make it easier for local construction industry businesses to manage safety regardless of which side of the river they are working on.”
Ms Williams said the regulators wanted to see effective management of construction site safety.
“This partnership will continue to allow our inspectors to educate and enforce OHS legislation along our borders,” Ms Williams said.
Cross Border Albury/Wodonga will take place from 20-25 June. The project is supported by key construction industry stakeholders from both states. To be ready for the visit, builders and sub-contractors are encouraged to pick up an inspection checklist from all major hardware stores.
For further information on the project, visit www.worksafe.vic.gov.au or www.safework.nsw.gov.au
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