Head of WorkSafe ACT concerned about repeated safety breaches

The head of the ACT’s workplace compliance watchdog has been appalled at the lack of safety across residential construction sites in Canberra and fears another construction site death without a cultural change.

The ACT work health and safety commissioner Jacqueline Agius has likened the reckless attitude of some builders to those who speed or drink drive.

She has been particularly shocked by the number of repeat offenders.

WorkSafe ACT has issued 282 safety notices to residential building sites over the past five months.

The watchdog has conducted mass inspections across the territory’s greenfield suburbs as part of a three-year campaign to crackdown and change the safety culture of Canberra’s residential construction sites.

The Operation Safe Prospect campaign was prompted following the death of two workers in separate incidents at Denman Prospect construction sites in early 2020.