WorkSafe ACT weekend operation identifies construction safety concerns
29 October 2026
A targeted WorkSafe ACT weekend compliance operation has resulted in seven prohibition notices, 16 improvement notices and five infringement notices being issued to businesses in the ACT, highlighting the importance of maintaining safe work practices at all times.
WorkSafe ACT inspectors visited residential and commercial construction sites in Denman Prospect and Whitlam as part of the operation and identified a range of issues requiring corrective action.
Acting Work Health and Safety Commissioner Peggy Cheong said the operation served as a timely reminder that work health and safety obligations apply every day of the week.
"Workers have the right to a safe workplace whenever they are at work, whether that's on a weekday, on a weekend, during the day or late at night.
"Our inspectors undertake compliance activities across a range of industries and at a variety of times to ensure persons conducting a business or undertaking are meeting their obligations and protecting workers."
The operation focused on the construction industry, with inspectors assessing compliance with a range of work health and safety requirements.
Disappointingly, inspectors identified a number of common safety issues, resulting in notices relating to:
- inadequate control to manage the risk of falls from one level to another
- inadequate site security
- poor housekeeping and site hygiene, and
- unauthorised access to scaffolding.
Ms Cheong said employers should not assume workplace safety is only monitored during standard business hours.
"Our inspectors are active whenever work is occurring. Persons conducting a business or undertaking must ensure their workplaces are safe and compliant every day. The best time to prepare for an inspection is before an inspector arrives."
"It is disappointing to again see that the number of notices issued per visit ratio from the weekend operation is significantly higher than workplace visits carried out during weekdays."
WorkSafe ACT will continue targeted compliance and enforcement activities to drive compliance and prevent harm to workers.
Statement ends
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