Released 23/08/2018
WorkSafe ACT has welcomed a plea of guilt by Lifestyle Homes (ACT) No.1 Pty Ltd to a number of charges involving breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 at its residential construction site in Coombs.
Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones said the breaches of the legislation were detected in October 2017 as part of a joint proactive inspection program by WorkSafe ACT and Safe Work NSW that focused on falls from heights. At that time, WorkSafe ACT stopped work on the site for 13 days through a Prohibition Notice.
The breaches by Lifestyle Homes related to:
- failure to provide appropriate fall protection on stair voids and scaffolding
- not providing safe electrical installations at the construction site
- allowing someone to undertake high risk work without an appropriate high risk licence
- failure to keep the workplace in a condition that allowed persons to safely enter and exit the site under normal work conditions or in an emergency
- not having secure barriers installed on its scaffolding to prevent objects from falling off
- not providing fall protection on internal stair voids to prevent persons from falling; and
- not ensuring accurate signage on the site fencing identifying the principal contractor and their contact details.
“These breaches are serious matters, each placing their workers at risk of serious injury or death,” Mr Jones said.
“Such non-compliance will not be tolerated by WorkSafe ACT and strong regulatory action will be taken where appropriate and proportionate, as demonstrated in this matter.
“It was fortunate that these breaches were detected as part of our proactive inspection activity before someone was seriously hurt or killed.
“Our proactive program focuses on high risk activities, particularly falls from heights, and demonstrates that serious non-compliance will be detected and strong taken.”
Mr Jones said that all workplaces are on notice that inspectors are on the ground on worksites every day to support worker safety.
“Our proactive program is ongoing and businesses are on notice to maintain a strong safety culture by ensuring that all workers are appropriately licensed and trained for their activities,” he said.
“In addition, all workers must be inducted into worksites and employers must ensure that safety processes and procedures are explained to workers and followed.
“We need to work together to ensure workers go home safe each day.”
Sentencing for Lifestyle Homes (ACT) No.1 Pty Ltd on the breaches above is expected on 6 November 2018.
- Statement ends -
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