SafeWork NSW inspectors are targeting scaffold safety on construction sites across the Hunter as part of their Scaff Safe 2024 campaign.
Falls from heights remains the leading cause of fatalities on NSW construction sites, with falls from unsafe scaffolds a significant contributor.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis, who launched the statewide campaign in Newcastle on Friday said a zero-tolerance approach to workers' lives being put at risk had seen the number of penalty notices more than double since 2021. The number of falls from unsafe scaffolding had halved in the same period.
"Scaffold requires constant attention and coordination. It can kill workers when not built safely, with the main risks being falls from heights, falling components, scaffold collapse and contact with powerlines," Ms Cotsis said.
"SafeWork Inspectors take a zero-tolerance approach to workers lives being placed at risk around scaffolding and will issue on-the-spot fines to enforce compliance.
"All workers have the right to go home to their loved ones at the end of their workday."
Across the state, the most common injury as a result of a fall from height was ligament, muscle and tendon damage or a traumatic joint injury with more than 5,200 incidents reported since 2021/2022.
Scaffold incidents commonly involve:
- people falling from, or through, scaffolds that are poorly erected, incomplete or have been altered including having components removed by unlicenced workers, such as brickies, builders, painters,
- people falling from scaffolds due to misuse, for example standing on rails or boxes, adding makeshift work platforms,
- scaffold collapse or failure of components due to incorrect assembly, overloading platforms, or incompatible or overly rusted/rotted componentry,
- objects falling off scaffolds and hitting people below,
- scaffolds being struck by mobile plant/vehicles or being snagged by a crane, and
- scaffolders being injured when unsafely erecting, adjusting or dismantling scaffold.
Inspectors will be visiting sites to talk with principal contractors and site supervisors about how to ensure their site is 'Scaff Safe', including verifying they have a plan in place to manage scaffold safety for each stage of the build.
Inspectors can issue on-the-spot fines for not managing the risk of scaffolds, falls from heights and alterations by unlicenced workers. Individuals may be fined up to $900 and businesses up to $4,500.
"Scaffolds are a focus for inspectors for good reason. Falls from heights are one of the biggest causes of fatalities and serious injuries on NSW building sites," Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said.
"Newcastle is proud to help lead the way in New South Wales when it comes to helping keep workers safe on our construction sites."
Further information for workers, employers and licence holders about managing the risks of scaffold can be found at: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/scaffolding
