SafeWork SA alert over surge in apprentice injuries amid new safety crackdown on junior staff

South Australia is on track for one of its worst years on record for workplace injuries, the safety watchdog has warned, as it turns its attention to work sites.

Second Year Apprentice Antony Palazzo with Luke Walsh chief executive officer of TAPS, a group training provider with its compliance manager Graeme Webster. Picture: Keryn Stevens

A new crackdown on apprentice work has identified concerning lapses in care amid a concerning surge in injuries especially involving tradies, the state’s safety watchdog warns.

Official figures show 34 apprentice or trainee incidents were reported to SafeWork SA over the first six months of this year.

This compares to 36 similar accidents reported to the work, health and safety watchdog last year, 49 in 2022 and 47 in 2021 – more than two thirds occurring on construction sites.

Electric shocks, serious lacerations and injuries resulting from slips, trips or falls were the most common incidents reported this year, data shows.

Falls from heights, including from roofs and horses, emerged as another common accident, the regulator said.

More than a third of serious injuries over the past three years hospitalised an apprentice but no deaths were recorded.

The data, which if extrapolated shows 2024 is on course for a record number of incidents, has prompted high-level concern about “preventable” sites injuries or deaths in extreme cases.

SafeWork executive director Glenn Farrell said apprentices and trainees were among the most vulnerable due to age and inexperience.

“Workplace incidents are preventable when good safety processes are in place and followed,” he said.

“These figures should send a clear message regarding employer obligations to keep apprentices safe at work.”

SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell raised concerns about the spate of injuries. Picture: SafeWork SA

Officials say the most common reported injury over the past three years were 31 instances of young workers “falling from heights”, which accounting for almost a quarter of all incidents.

The next common involved 24 nail gun-related injuries, equating almost a fifth of the total injuries, followed 16 issues with dangerous power tool use.

SafeWork SA said the top three categories contributed to more than half of all reports over the three-year period.

Almost two dozen apprentices suffered injuries from sharp edges or falling objects.

A pair of apprentices had fingertips amputated while another eight trainees suffered “serious” cuts from various tools including a nail gun, angle grinder and a circular saw.

An apprentice fractured a leg and another dislocated a shoulder after “slips and trips”.

SafeWork SA has for the first time “escalated” all notifications involving apprentices and trainees this year, which ensures “priority” workplace raids.

Incident details are also shared with the state government’s South Australian Skills Commission, which advises ministers on industry developments.

Under state law, employers must provide necessary information, training, instruction or supervision to protect worker health and safety along with legally enforced trainee supervision rules.
Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker said firms that fail standards “can expect to see increased employer accountability”.

“Many apprentices and trainees are aged between 16 and 21 … and inexperienced in the world of work,” he said.

More than half of workers compensation claims of workers aged 15-24 since 2020 involved apprentices.

Richie Welch, 45, of Seaford, is a work safety adviser the Trainee and Apprentice Placement Service firm, which is diligent with training for 500 construction or building workers.

Mr Welch, a plumber and gas fitter who has worked on major sites over 18 years said this included learning about protective equipment, risk assessments and identity harmful situations.

“If we don’t mate the risk of serious injury or death could be imminent,” he said.

Apprentice tradie Antony Palazzo, 19, of Newton, said his training with Jordan Plumbing had showed the importance with “always check your surroundings and clean up as you go to prevent hazards”.