SafeWork NSW officers performed a COVID-19 compliance blitz across Sydney after sites in Marsden Park, Riverstone and Liverpool were issued with $40,000 in fines for COVID breaches.
Fines were issues at a site in Marsden Park, after it was found that the site operator did not ensure a worker from an identified Local Government Area (LGA) was vaccinated, and the site failed to have in place COVID protocols including QR codes.
In addition, a site in Riverstone was fined $10,000 after two workers from Blacktown and Parramatta had not met the vaccination and testing requirements.
A site in Liverpool also received $20,000 in fines for not ensuring workers were vaccinated or tested as per Public Health Orders, and for not ensuring workers were wearing masks or had scanned the QR code.
Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson said following the two-week construction pause, sites were allowed to open only if they followed the COVID requirements for occupied and unoccupied sites under the Public Health Order.
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“The NSW Government understands and appreciates the important role the construction sector plays to our State and we are doing everything we can to ensure it is able to keep operating while keeping communities safe,” Anderson said.
“Site operators need to comply with capacity limits to reduce contact, ensure their workers are complying with COVID-19 vaccine requirements and have a safety plan, including a QR code, in place.
“SafeWork Inspectors will be visiting sites, particularly in the identified LGAs that can only do construction work on unoccupied sites and must have vaccinated workers, to assist the industry in implementing controls which prevent transmission of COVID-19.
Anderson urged tradies to support their workmates and the industry by signing in with the QR code, always wearing face masks, and getting vaccinated.