A new safety compliance campaign is targeting electrical safety issues on construction sites across New South Wales, with SafeWork NSW inspectors conducting drop-in inspections across a range of sites.
Inspectors will focus on ensuring workers maintain appropriate distances from overhead powerlines and are implementing the required safety controls in accordance with the energy provider.
They will also check that those doing electrical work are appropriately licensed, that temporary wiring meets the correct standards, and other electrical tools such as power tools and RCD boards are managed correctly.
Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson said for the rest of 2020, SafeWork NSW inspectors will check to see if construction sites have the right controls in place to manage electrical risks.
“This campaign is part of our mission to eradicate serious and potentially fatal injuries in the industry,” Anderson said.
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“Our inspectors will be turning up on sites across the State to make sure all the right measures are in place to protect both the sparkies and those working with them.
“Electrical work is complex and must always be done by a licensed professional, regardless of the cost and whether the work is residential, commercial or industrial.”
Since 2017 SafeWork NSW has investigated 34 serious electrical incidents with seven of these being fatalities.
Inspectors will have the power to issue improvement, prohibition and penalty notices against those doing the wrong thing.
“Three of the primary causes of these incidents were contact with overhead powerlines, and unsafe or aged wiring,” Anderson said.
“If you see anything dodgy on site, take a picture and send it directly to SafeWork for follow up via our app Speak up, Save Lives.”
The project began on 9 November and will run until 30 December.