SafeWork SA puts shoddy builders on notice to not ‘cut corners’ in new Christmas safety alert

The state’s safety watchdog has warned builders and tradies not to “cut corners” in the rush to finish construction jobs before Christmas after several major accidents in recent weeks.

The state’s safety watchdog has warned builders and tradies not to “cut corners” in the rush to finish construction jobs before Christmas after several major accidents in recent weeks.

In the second urgent industry alert in a fortnight, SafeWork SA will on Monday reveal a surge of dangerous incidents on building sites across South Australia in the past six weeks.

Authorities are concerned about a fifth more accidents or “near misses” since the beginning of last month amid a backlog of work sparked by supply shortages and the wet weather.

The state’s safety watchdog has warned builders and tradies not to “cut corners” in the rush to finish construction jobs before Christmas

There has been a spike in “notifiable incidents” – the mandatory reporting of serious or fatal workplace accidents – and workers being hospitalised.

The work and safety regulator is disturbed about increasing amounts of shoddy work as stretched builders scramble to finish projects before Christmas and a three week break.

Earlier this month it warned tradies of random safety checks to crack down on “shocking work practices” over a spate of dangerous electrical accidents that had injured apprentices.

SafeWork SA executive director, Martyn Campbell, warned a construction backlog was no excuse for dangerous practices. He said work accidents were widely felt.

SafeWork SA has warned a construction backlog was no excuse for dangerous practices.

“Heavy workloads and tight timelines are no excuse for corner cutting, especially when it impacts safety,” he said.

“Everyone enjoys the chance to take some time off over Christmas, so it is vital that we stay safe in the busy weeks before the break.”

The warnings were prompted in particular about two dangerous incidents in past fortnight, in which prop formwork systems collapsed during concrete pours.

Officials say it was lucky there were no injuries.

Official figures show 39 incidents between 1 October and 14 November, which were primarily electric shocks, falls from ladders and serious hand cuts caused by tools including nail guns.

Construction is seen as a priority area to improve safety.

South Australia Construction Safety Alliance chair, Lex Hanegraaf, said the festive period had a statistically high rates of incidents.

“The lead up to the festive period presents various pressures at work,” he said.

Patrick Kukla, a case manager from charity Mates in Construction, said November was stressful as pressure mounted to complete projects.

“We see long work hours, tight deadlines, difficult budgets, and work-life balance gets pushed aside,” he said.