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Construction industry interventions and campaigns

Residential construction safety – back to basics campaign

This campaign aims to reduce the number of injuries sustained by workers performing basic construction tasks at residential developments.

The objectives of the campaign are to:

  • increase the capability of residential builders to control risks associated with basic construction activities
  • improve levels of compliance with relevant work health and safety duties (WHS) in the residential construction sector
  • build relationships between WHSQ inspectors and the residential construction sector
  • work with other stakeholders such as industry associations, major residential developers and local governments to consider issues arising in the planning and design phases of residential construction.

During the site assessments, inspectors will focus on:

  • falls prevention (through voids, from ladders, trestles and other work platforms)
  • using the right tool(s) for the job
  • planning for safety, including preparation of safe work method statements
  • site housekeeping
  • site security
  • site supervision
  • additional issues (e.g. electrical).

WHSQ has completed the first phase of the campaign which involved 1,418 site assessments between August 2015 and August 2016.

The findings highlighted that the key areas for improvement were falls prevention, site security, housekeeping and additional issues which mainly related to electrical issues. For more information view the interim campaign summary report (PDF, 1.49 MB).

Site visits will continue to be undertaken by WHSQ inspectors throughout 2017.

Who is this campaign targeting?

This is a state-wide campaign that focuses on residential construction sites. Inspectors will be visiting construction worksites in locations throughout Queensland where there are significant levels of residential development activity.

What can my business do to prepare?

There are a range of resources to assist residential builders, civil contractors, carpenters, bricklayers, painters, plumbers and small contractors, including:

Onsite traffic management project

Workplaces in the construction, manufacturing, transport and agriculture industries will be the focus of a statewide assessment campaign starting in July 2016 targeting traffic management.

The project aims to reduce the rate of fatalities and severity of injuries involving people being hit by mobile plant and vehicles at Queensland workplaces.

As part of the project, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) inspectors will visit workplaces to raise awareness of the risks and help them implement effective traffic management strategies.

Read more.

Young workers in construction

This campaign aims to improve the health and safety of young workers in the construction industry, who are over-represented in injury statistics compared to older and more experienced workers.

It also aims to educate managers and supervisors to ensure they can effectively manage their young workers' safety.

Between April and June 2016, WHSQ inspectors will be visiting worksites across Queensland to talk with young workers and their supervisors about their health and safety. Information and data will be gathered to help understand how the construction industry could be made safer for young workers.

Inspectors will also provide advice and guidance to supervisors and managers and promote the Young Worker Safety Toolkit (PDF, 4.59 MB) to help them:

  • understand young workers' risk profile
  • ensure a safe and healthy workplace
  • provide information, training, instruction and supervision
  • develop a positive workplace culture.

The campaign is being delivered collaboratively by WHSQ, SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe ACT, WorkSafe Victoria, Safe Work Australia and Comcare through the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA). HWSA is an interagency group that undertakes campaigns and initiatives that support the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012 – 2022.

If you work in the construction industry and would like to be involved, please email constructionstrategy@oir.qld.gov.au.

Targeted areas: Statewide. WHSQ will contact businesses prior to visits.

Leadership in major contractors: Preventing sprain and strain injuries campaign

WHSQ has completed phase one of the campaign. This consisted of an advisory assessment of the principal contractors' hazardous manual tasks risk management systems followed by on-site verification assessment. Large principal contractors from the commercial and civil sectors were included in the assessments.

The findings highlighted that reducing musculoskeletal disorders in construction requires strong industry leadership and collaboration with all stakeholders.

View the campaign summary (PDF, 0.6 MB) and report (PDF, 1.68 MB).

Phase two of the campaign will commence in November 2016. This will include:

  • follow up assessments with those organisations who participated in phase one
  • new assessments of other major contractors.

The WHSQ assessment team will assess the principal contractors' hazardous manual tasks risk management systems followed by on-site verification of principal contractors' systems. Specifically, they will assess hazardous manual tasks compliance with the WHS legislation and measure change in those who participated in phase one.

The assessments provide an opportunity for organisations in both commercial and civil construction sectors to:

  • assess the effectiveness of their current hazardous manual task risk management systems
  • identify opportunities for improvement.

Who is this campaign targeting?

This is a state-wide campaign that focuses on the large principal contractors from both the commercial and civil construction sectors. WHSQ will contact principal contractors prior to the phase two assessments.

What can my business do to prepare?

To review your hazardous manual tasks risk management strategies and prepare for a visit, please refer to the assessment tools below:

There are a range of other hazardous manual task resources you can download and use in your workplace.

Read more

Mobile and operational plant in construction

This campaign measured the level of compliance in controlling risks associated with mobile and operational plant on civil and heavy construction sites. The campaign targeted maintenance, operator competence, and where applicable, traffic management. It also measured the effectiveness of safe work method statements and other control documentation, as a means of controlling high risk construction activities.

Four types of mobile and operational plant were assessed:

  • earthmoving equipment
  • hoists
  • elevating work platforms
  • lifting equipment.

Targeted areas: Statewide. WHSQ inspectors carried out both planned and unplanned audits across all sectors of the construction industry.

What can my business do to prepare?

For information on audit tools and supporting guidance, visit the mobile and operational plant in construction page.

Past campaigns

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Last updated 19 February 2019