Operation Safe Prospect
Operation Safe Prospect, which began in August 2020, is WorkSafe ACT’s ongoing campaign to improve safety standards in the residential construction industry.
Under Operation Safe Prospect, inspectors are visiting greenfield sites across Canberra to make sure safety measures are being followed in residential construction, with the aim of improving health and safety working conditions in the construction industry.
Since Operation Safe Prospect began, WorkSafe ACT has consistently seen the same issues at residential construction sites, including:
- Risk of falls from heights due to unsafe scaffolding
- Site security due to non-secure fencing
- A lack of signage
- Lack of basic facilities such as toilets
- Risk of slips trips and falls due to poor housekeeping and untidy sites
- Not following safe work method statements
Our inspectors take regulatory action when they identify health and safety risks, or offences against the WHS Act or Regulations. Where they identify a safety concern, they may issue one of the following:
- Improvement Notice
- Prohibition Notice
- Infringement Notice
- Prosecution.
Operation Safe Prospect – notices issued*
| Location | Workplace Visits | Improvement notices | Prohibition notices | Infringement notices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denman Prospect | 197 | 252 | 80 | 14 |
| Throsby | 67 | 82 | 25 | 9 |
| Taylor | 270 | 424 | 49 | 18 |
| Strathnairn | 147 | 202 | 26 | 3 |
| Ginninderry | 10 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Watson | 33 | 33 | 20 | 2 |
| Whitlam | 192 | 230 | 26 | 5 |
*Data is accurate at the time of publishing and subject to revision.
Residential construction safety data
Residential Construction safety is a priority for WorkSafe ACT and is in line with our Strategic Plan. It is also a key focus in our Statement of Operational Intent. WorkSafe ACT will continue its strong focus on residential construction sites to make sure they meet the required safety standards.
For key statistical information about the residential construction industry, take a look at our Residential construction data {pdf} document, which gives an overview of some important information relating to the residential construction industry.
On this page