CANBERRA’S residential construction industry has the highest number of workers’ compensation claims for the past five years compared to any other sector in the territory, new analysis from WorkSafe ACT has found.

The work health and safety watchdog found that in 2020-21, twice as many improvement notices were issued per visit compared to the previous year, with small to medium businesses making up 97.4 per cent of claims.

The most common breaches found included inadequate scaffolding, failed site security, and not managing the risks of falls from heights.

It come despite the launch of Operation Safe Prospect in 2020, an ongoing WorkSafe campaign focused on increasing workplace visits to improve safety standards in the industry. The data revealed little change in safety behaviours and compliance with the WHS laws.

Since the launch of the operation, WorkSafe has completed 1363 workplace visits and issues 1655 improvement notices, 385 prohibition notices and 92 infringement notices.

Work health and safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius said despite the efforts, they continue to observe unsafe work practices and breaches in the sector.

WorkSafe has today (June 29) launched an updated Residential Construction Strategy in an attempt to improve safety in the residential construction industry.

The strategy will aim to “embed work health and safety in work design and systems, secure stakeholder commitment to improve compliance rates, enforce compliance across the residential construction industry and build WorkSafe ACT’s capability and capacity as a responsive regulator.”

“We all have one thing in common, that is everyone wants every worker and every workplace to be healthy and safe,” says Commissioner Agius.

“As we launch our updated Strategy, we look forward to partnering with all stakeholders to embed real and sustainable change.”