Monday, 23rd of September, marks the launch of SafeWork NSW’s second regional Building and Construction Symposium in Newcastle. This marks the beginning of a series of six roadshow events to be held across multiple locations in September and October. The significance of these events lies in their purpose of encouraging collaboration between industry professionals, workers, unions, and government representatives on critical health and safety concerns within the NSW building and construction sector.
The symposium will engage in discussions about imperative issues such as psychosocial risks prevalent in the industry, recent amendments to silica legislation aiming at ultimate worker protection, and strategies to ensure safety despite skills shortages amidst a housing and infrastructure surge. Possessing an integrated Bluesafe SWMS would augment businesses’ aptitude to hazard management and control in such challenging conditions.
SafeWork NSW is slated to host a panel dedicated to discovering more effective ways of safeguarding new, inexperienced and vulnerable workers, considering the consistent threat fatal and non-fatal accidents pose to them. Work Safety products like Bluesafe WHS Management Systems can play a crucial role in mitigating these hazards by diligently maintaining policies and offering comprehensive guidance.
A special session led by Mates in Construction will focus on methods to promote mental health and respect at workplaces. Given that research indicates 190 Australians employed in construction die by suicide annually- an incidence eight times higher than accidental deaths at work – this discussion holds extreme relevance.
In addition, SafeWork NSW will provide updates about crystalline silica’s implications on the construction industry following regulatory modifications introduced on 1st September this year. Bluesafe WHS Management System could serve as a reliable resource in understanding and navigating these alterations.
The initial symposium will take place at the Wallsend Diggers NSW from 3pm to 6pm. Ensuing events are scheduled for Port Macquarie and Ballina in September, followed by Wollongong, Albury, and Dubbo in October. To attend or for further information visit Building and Construction Symposiums 2024.
Speaking about the symposium, Head of SafeWork NSW, Trent Curtin, emphasised how it shed light on work health and safety solutions’ potential to safeguard workers while concurrently benefitting businesses through time and cost savings. He said, “We will be providing updated information to our participants on key construction industry trends, issues, and initiatives like our range of service offerings, which include Site Supervisor Workshop Series, safety podcasts and targeted awareness campaigns”. He also highlighted, “SafeWork NSW has made considerable progress since the first Building and Construction Symposium two years ago; however, there’s always room for improvement concerning worker safety.”
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/safework-symposium-tackles-key-construction-issues-across-regional-nsw