Queensland Construction Compliance Blitz
Important information from the Queensland Safety Regulator
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) as the state work safety regulator will be launching a state-wide compliance blitz in an aim to assist in reducing serious workplace incidents in the construction industry.
Can your business afford to have a workplace incident?
Workplace incidents have both financial and reputational impacts on a business.
A court recently handed down a fine of $1.5 million to a business in June 2024, after the business had a serious workplace incident. The court imposed fine, plus legal costs and increases to the business’ Workers Compensation policy will likely cost this business over $2 million.
Recent changes to the Work Health and Safety legislation will prevent businesses from using their business insurance to pay for these costs.
Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
One way to assist in avoiding a workplace incident is to implement appropriate consultation arrangements at your workplace.
WHS legislation enables workers to be nominated or elected to represent a group of workers relating to work health and safety matters. There are a number of advantages to a workplace having an HSR/s, such as:
- provides a mechanism for workers to report safety issues
- provides a clear path to assist with successful consultation
- can assist in improving safety outcomes across a workplace
Find more information about Health and safety representatives and health and safety committees
Register your HSR/s now at this link to avoid a financial penalty: Health and safety representative portal
Upcoming Compliance Blitz
WHSQ inspectors will be blitzing construction sites across Queensland between July and September 2024.
WHSQ data indicates the following areas cause significant injuries across and will be the focus of the compliance campaign:
- Falls from height
- Scaffolding
- Working near overhead power lines
If these activities are occurring at your work site, it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the following resources to avoid being issued any regulatory notices by an inspector and to prevent your business from having a serious workplace incident.
Please find below links to relevant resources to assist with compliance at your workplace.
Scaffolding
- Scaffolding
- Statistics highlight scaffolding risks and negligence
- Fall risk with ring lock type scaffolding
Work at Heights
- Work at heights
- Managing the risk of falls while working on roofs in housing construction (PDF 3.22MB)
Working near overhead powerlines
- Planning construction work near overhead powerlines
- Working safely near powerlines (PDF, 817KB)
- Construction workers death highlights overhead powerline risks
Across all industries, work-related incidents claim the lives of approximately 40 people every year in Queensland and there are more than 24,000 serious, often life-changing injuries.
Businesses and company directors have a primary duty of care to make their environments safe for all workers. Employers must ensure they are aware of their duties and have systems in place that ensure health and safety risks are effectively managed at their workplace.
It is recommended you take this opportunity to ensure your workplace is compliant with WHS laws. WHSQ will take appropriate regulatory action where unsafe work practices are identified. You are encouraged to visit Home | WorkSafe.qld.gov.au or contact the WHSQ team with any questions about how they can comply with legislation.
For more information visit WorkSafe.qld.gov.au.
