Page 603 - Week 02 - Thursday, 20 March 2014
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Industry Association for their very constructive engagement. However, I do not want to entice a sense of complacency or give an impression that the work is complete. This engagement and cooperation must grow and prosper to achieve a genuine culture of safety within the industry.
As we know only too well, a moment of complacency can have catastrophic consequences. We must continue to work hard to embed a safety culture at all levels of the construction industry, whether it be on major multi-faceted construction sites or when a sole trader is undertaking minor alterations. All workers are entitled to a safe workplace no matter where they work.
I am pleased to update members on progress since my last report. A number of significant safety initiatives have been completed or are well underway, and a great deal of work is continuing. As members would be aware, the government has established the Construction Safety Advisory Committee and the deputy director-general’s steering committee to oversee implementation of the recommendations of Getting home safely and advising on policy matters relating to work, health and safety in the construction industry. These bodies comprise members from government, unions, contractors, subcontractors and employer organisations.
The government has previously committed itself to lead by example. The government has worked hard to put some major reforms in place quickly. As members are aware, the ACT now has its first industrial magistrate, and matters are already being referred to the Industrial Court. I thank the members of the Assembly who have supported the passage of the bill.
The government has committed additional resources to WorkSafe ACT, and I can confirm today that an additional seven work safety inspectors have already been employed. I am pleased to report that recruitment is well advanced to employ a further five.
In line with recommendations to improve collaboration between regulators, the Work Safety Commissioner and the Director, Construction Services Branch, Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, we see continuing work on joint information sessions to industry. In addition, WorkSafe ACT and our building inspectors are now undertaking joint compliance activities because we know that building safety and building quality are inextricably linked. The government has also implemented an active certification and comparative assessment process for significant government funded construction projects.
All companies who contract to the government are put on notice that their safety performance is being monitored and that any failures to meet safety obligations will have consequences when they are tendering for future government work. The significance of this reform should not be underrated. It not only ensures that all those companies must have excellent safety systems but it will also undoubtedly have a positive flow-on effect for non-government work.
For those companies who already have embedded systems and excellent track records in relation to safety, they will no longer perceive they are at a disadvantage when
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