Comcare has recently established a specialist team of inspectors to focus on work health and safety risks at major infrastructure projects across Australia.

There are already a number of major projects underway within Comcare’s diverse jurisdiction, such as underground rail infrastructure in Sydney and Melbourne.

A number of Commonwealth-funded developments including Snowy Hydro 2.0, Western Sydney International Airport and the Inland Rail project are in their early stages.

The new team of inspectors has experience in construction and engineering and is working nationally to proactively monitor high-risk activities and safety systems on major projects.

“There has been a substantial increase in major projects and construction across Australia in recent years, including in Comcare’s jurisdiction, and it’s important that we strengthen our oversight of this often high-risk work,” said Justin Napier, who heads Comcare’s regulatory operations group.

“The specialist major infrastructure projects team will provide enhanced oversight and prevention-led interaction at large infrastructure and other complex construction projects.

“This involves a risk-based approach – understanding how a project’s risk profile changes over time and focussing on high-consequence hazards throughout the life of the development.”

The major infrastructure projects team, based in Sydney and Melbourne, has initial staffing of five inspectors who will travel interstate to undertake regulatory activity where required. Resourcing of the unit will be reviewed regularly, and regulatory focuses for the team include:

• plant and people
• falls from heights
• falling objects
• electrical safety
• silica and dust

Article originally published by the Australian Institute of Health and Safety.

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