A sweeping construction safety blitz across the Central Coast and Hunter regions has put site safety under the microscope, with SafeWork NSW inspectors cracking down on dangerous practices and issuing dozens of penalties.
The operation, which took place throughout March, targeted high-risk issues—especially falls from heights, the leading cause of serious injury and death on NSW building sites. Inspectors visited 54 construction sites, issuing 95 improvement notices, mostly for inadequate site security and signage, and 28 prohibition notices. Fines totalling $9,000 were handed out for breaches relating to fall prevention
State Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch stressed the importance of vigilance:
“Gosford is proud to help lead the way in NSW when it comes to helping keep workers safe on our construction sites,” she said.
Inspectors also conducted 16 psychosocial checks, ensuring sites were addressing mental health risks, bullying, and work pressure. Minister for the Central Coast David Harris reinforced the government’s commitment:
“It is vital no corners are cut ensuring these workers get home safely and soundly at the end of each day,” he said.
Common hazards identified included lack of job planning, poor supervision, and failure to use simple, effective controls like edge protection. A SafeWork NSW spokesperson warned:
“SafeWork continues to see workers being put at risk due to a lack of job planning, poor site supervision and the failure to use what are well-known and easy to apply preventative controls such as edge protection. Inspectors will not tolerate workers being put at risk”.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis added:
“SafeWork inspectors take a zero-tolerance approach to workers’ lives being placed at risk and will issue on-the-spot fines to enforce compliance”.
Inspectors also checked electrical safety, equipment separation, and site amenities, and engaged with workers about psychological health. The blitz is part of ongoing statewide operations targeting construction hot spots and high-risk activities.
With falls from heights still causing over 5,200 injuries since 2021, authorities are making it clear: unsafe sites will face consequences, and worker safety is non-negotiable.
