Everyone in the Construction Industry knows that October is ‘Safe Work Month’ in October. This year’s theme is ‘For everyone’s safety, work safely’.

So it was shocking and devastating that we opened the month with a young 17 year old dying on site due to what appears to be a preventable safety issue, followed by another four major incidents in the same week. I know it’s devastating for their families and my thoughts go out to them. No words can comfort them really. And I also know it’s devastating for who they worked with, and who they worked for.

Let’s face it, we work in a high risk industry. Australia has witnessed substantial growth in construction over the years, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy and infrastructure development. However, this growth has been accompanied by an increased focus in safety on construction sites. Our industry inherently has high risks due to the nature of the work, making it crucial for ALL stakeholders to prioritise and actively participate in maintaining a safe work environment.

Simply: high risk = high responsibility = high accountability. FOR EVERYONE!

For everyone’s safety…. There is a critical need to address safety concerns effectively and promptly.

The Responsibility of Every Individual

Safety on construction sites in Australia is a paramount concern that demands attention from every individual on site. The construction industry's dynamic nature requires a collective effort to identify and rectify potential hazards promptly. Legal and ethical obligations reinforce the importance of adhering to safety regulations and reporting any unsafe conditions.

Ensuring safety on construction sites is a shared responsibility. Every worker, contractor, supervisor, and visitor has a duty to report any unsafe conditions, hazards or behaviours. The 'See Something, Say Something' principle embodies the proactive stance individuals should adopt regarding safety concerns. Whether one observes an unsecured scaffold, inadequate personal protective equipment usage, or any other hazard, it is imperative to report it promptly to the relevant authorities or supervisors. And to do so with a sense of urgency.

Safety is a Moving Goalpost

Sites are a living, breathing and moving thing. Right? Perimeters and safety protocols may have been setup in the morning, but trades come in behind other trades. People move things, leave off manhole covers, shift scaffolding to get access, move plywood barriers, leave rubbish where it is not meant to be left. Some crews have language barriers. We’re coming into summer, and workers suffer and die in the heat (you can find my ‘Summer Survival Guide at the link below) which talks about how to prevent fatigue and put yourself and your team at risk. And, some are just lazy, complacent and disrespectful to safety. And others, are overloaded and had a lapse in thinking or judgment and they just forgot to go back and restore safety items. It happens, which is why we need to work together as a whole to notice, learn, educate and report.

We’re not dobbers. This is not dobbing. That attitude is a really outdated. What we are is CARING. We care about others and when we notice and act and/or report, that is demonstrating a level of care for others as individuals -as someone’s child, as someone’s spouse, as someone’s parent, as someone’s significant other, and yes, as someone’s employer who had someone die or injured on their watch.

Education is a Moving Goalpost

Particularly care needs to be taken also with our young apprentices and people new to the industry. Safety is an education in itself (obviously as it’s a whole industry in itself). Like the young 17yo who just died, how does an inexperienced person know what is safe if they don’t know the issue, or the level of risk. We don’t know what we don’t know - right. So, those that have experience need to look beyond themselves, their time pressures, their need for profit and make sure that we are caring and educating others as well. And more, that this is built and encouraged as a culture of every workplace.

It is our collective duty to mentor and instil a safety-first mindset in the young and new entrants into the industry. By passing on the torch of knowledge of those who work around them, and emphasising the significance of safety protocols and risks, we pave the way for a secure and thriving future within the construction industry – without deaths!!

Legal and Ethical Imperatives

Australian legislation mandates employers to provide a safe workplace for their employees under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011. The Act emphasises the duty of care that employers owe to their workers, necessitating safe systems of work, proper training, and appropriate safety measures. Additionally, the Act highlights the obligation of workers to take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others, aligning with the collective responsibility for safety.

Failing to comply with safety regulations not only violates legal requirements but also contravenes ethical principles. The well-being and lives of individuals are at stake, and neglecting safety responsibilities is ethically unacceptable. Therefore, it is crucial for all individuals on a construction site to understand and adhere to safety regulations to ensure a secure work environment.

Reporting and Remedy

Reporting unsafe conditions or actions is the first step towards remedying potential hazards. Construction companies often have established reporting mechanisms in place, such as reporting directly to supervisors, using safety suggestion boxes, or utilising digital reporting systems. These mechanisms enable timely reporting, investigation, and implementation of corrective actions. The culture however needs to be supportive of reporting.

When an individual reports an unsafe condition, the information is assessed, and appropriate remedial measures are taken to mitigate the risk. This proactive approach prevents accidents, injuries, and fatalities, ultimately promoting a safer work environment for everyone involved.

For our own workers, the SiteForce Recruitment website, has an easy to complete form to report a safety incident or hazard, no matter how big or small, that we act on immediately which can be found at:

https://www.siteforcerecruitment.com.au/safety

Safe Work Australia have kits that employers can download to promote safe work, including working in the construction industry. Find out more at:
www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

Read the SiteForce Recruitment Safety Guides offered at:-

https://www.siteforcerecruitment.com.au/siteforce-summer-survival-guide

https://www.siteforcerecruitment.com.au/winter-safety-mojo-for-construction-workers

Our Superpower

Our leading 'superpower' is attracting and retaining quality team members who share our values of honesty, integrity, diligence, and service, allowing us to deploy quality team members on client sites quickly.

Our team member's superpower is being motivated, prepared and ready to enthusiastically contribute to the projects at hand, more than just a pair of hands.

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Read other informative articles for both employers and workers at: https://www.siteforcerecruitment.com.au/blogs

Chantal Penny is the Director with Superpowers of SiteForce Recruitment. A thought leader in the industry, Chantal, based on her expertise and industry perspective, offers unique guidance, inspiration, and influence in the industry. Chantal Penny is also a thought leader in the industry with her Podcast, Talent Instinct, which is available at:
https://talentinstinctpodcast.libsyn.com/site

At SiteForce Recruitment, we specialise in labour-hire and permanent recruitment in the construction industry. We are committed to valuing people, safety and well-being, collaboration, trust and, of course – results!

CONNECT with us via our contact page or bookings links on our website if you are looking to recruit for, get your dream job, or join our amazing labour force team.

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