Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Lanie Tindale

Around 77 notices issued for COVID breaches, three worksites closed

WorkSafe issued 154 notices to construction sites over two days. Picture: Keegan Carroll

WorkSafe ACT issued 154 notices and closed three worksites in Taylor and Throsby for breaches, including COVID non-compliance on Tuesday and Thursday.

About half of the notices were issued for COVID breaches.

The three worksites shut down were inspected in Throsby on Thursday. It is unclear why they were shut down. Seven teams of WorkSafe ACT inspectors visited 38 sites in the suburb, issuing six prohibition notices and 67 improvement notices.

On Tuesday, five teams of inspectors visited 43 sites in Taylor. They issued 14 prohibition notices and 67 improvement notices.

WorkSafe ACT said they would be issuing on the spot fines for COVID non-compliance from next week.

Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius visited sites in Throsby.

"We continue to see non-compliance in this sector. And it's not just COVID non-compliance; around 50% of the notices issued during this campaign are for not managing work health and safety risks," she said.

"We continue to see common risks that are not being managed. COVID compliance is in addition to duties for protecting health and safety of workers, not a substitute for it. To continually see these risks across the sector is unacceptable."

IN OTHER COVID NEWS:

While half of breaches were due to COVID-19 non-compliance, WorkSafe also reported a lack of safety management on many sites.

Prohibition notices were handed for safety issues including not managing the risks of falling from heights; and unsafe scaffolding and electrical equipment.

WorkSafe administered notices for reasons including inadequate housekeeping, site security and amenities, untested electrical equipment; and not managing the risks of slips, trips and falls.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.