21/04/2021

Six weeks into the SafeWork SA audit campaign focusing on falls and key trends are already being identified across residential construction sites.

Since the campaign commenced on 1 March 2021, audits conducted by inspectors have resulted in 46 breaches being identified, with 22 Prohibition notices and 19 Improvement notices associated with managing risk of falls.

From the notices issued thus far, common themes seen include:

  • poor contractor management
  • non-compliant scaffolding
  • unsafe use of ladders
  • open voids, and
  • working on the live edge of a roof without controls.

SafeWork SA Executive Director, Martyn Campbell said falls from heights are preventable and there is no excuse in not having controls and systems in place to prevent them.

“Our inspectors observed carpenters walking the top plate with no controls in place”.

Person standing on the top plate of a roof without any fall protection.

Last month, SafeWork SA was notified of an incident where a worker fell through a single storey fragile roofing. He sadly died as a result of the fall.

“While it may seem like a house roof is not very high, statistics show that 90% of serious injuries in 2020 were sustained from falls below 3 metres.

The residential construction industry engages many contractors and all parties have shared responsibilities to work together for the health and safety of themselves and others”, said Mr Campbell.

Mr Campbell further stated, “Builders need to understand they have the same duty of care for contractors as their own direct workers and cannot pass the risk down to contractors”.

The SafeWork SA 2020 Health and Safety Snapshot relating to falls from heights identified carpenters as being at most risk when working at height.

To help address this issue SafeWork SA has developed new guidance information on Installing Prefabricated Roof Trusses.

Further information