Construction hazards targeted

A news story in a recent edition of the Workcover News, highlighted the need to focus on reducing electrical noise and railway hazards in the construction industry.

The Construction Industry unions have been agitating for such a campaign to take place for a number of years. This has been in response to an increasing number of deaths and serious injuries which have occurred in this industry.

The three projects - Electrical Safety 2001, Noise Management in the Construction Industry and Railsafe 2001 - will combine both educational seminars and compliance activities to prevent injuries and promote occupational health and safety (OHS) issues in the workplace.

Rail safety is of concern due to a growing number of safety related incidents in rail construction and maintenance.

This Electrical Safety 2001 campaign aims to prevent electrical accidents in the construction industry, has been targeting the Sydney metropolitan area since September 1.

Contact with live electrical parts was the second highest cause of fatalities in NSW between 1998 and 2000.

On-site visits by Workcover inspectors are targeting principal contractors, electrical contractors and electrical workers to ensure that compliance with OHS legislation takes place.

The noise management project commenced in October and has focused on the implementation of measures to reduce workplace noise.

Railsafe 2001 has been investigating safety isues associated with railway construction and maintenance since October in response to fatalities and serious injuries involving people working on rail track and rail infrastructure construction and maintenance.

If you would like further information, contact your union or the Labor Council of NSW on 1800 688 919.

For further information

Contact	:	Mary Yaager
Phone	:	+61 2 9264 1691
Email	:	m.yaager@labor.org.au
WWW	:	http://ohsnet.labor.net.au/ohsnet/news

[ up to OHS NET News/Info Index ]

Privacy Statement
OHS NET is supported by the Workcover Authority of NSW.
Photos kindly supplied by National Occupational Health & Safety Commission.

This site was created and powered by Social Change Online