New rules for safer construction work

From 1 July 2008, new regulations apply to all construction work in Victoria.

The requirements reflect national standards and build on industry's existing safety practices to reduce the rate of death and injury in construction.

Chris Webb, Director of WorkSafe's Construction and Utilities Division, said that construction workers account for about one-third of all Victorian workplace deaths. "The new regulations will help employers and sub-contractors ensure their workers remain safe."

• employees are to be given safety induction training before undertaking construction work

• employees are to be trained about site-specific risks and safety measures before starting work on a construction site

• principal contractors are to prepare health and safety co-ordination plans for construction projects costing $250,000 or more

• employers and self employed people are to prepare safe work method statements for defined types of high-risk construction work

WorkSafe has developed information that explain the requirements in more detail, including templates for safe work method statements and health and safety co-ordination plans.

"Construction industry hazards are well-known and obvious; so are the solutions. The industry needs to ensure that whatever can reasonably be done to protect the workforce is in place," Mr Webb said.  "Implementing these strategies will help ensure everyone goes home at the end of the day."

The WorkSafe publication Working safely in the housing construction industry is available online or by calling the WorkSafe Advisory Service on 1800 136 089.  More information on the WorkSafe website.

A summary of the Construction chapter of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007, will shortly be on the Regulations section of this website. 

Last Amended April 2015