Attention Master Plumbers NSW members: SafeWork NSW inspectors are currently conducting a targeted compliance blitz across construction sites. Throughout the month of May, inspectors are hitting the ground to speak with principal contractors, site supervisors, workers, and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs). Their core focus? Ensuring your site has robust, effective systems to safely plan and execute work around overhead powerlines and underground services.
Whether your team is operating mobile plant, driving vehicles, erecting scaffold, using hand tools, or just managing general site access, SafeWork will be looking closely at your processes.
Know What’s Above and Below Before You Dig
Striking an underground asset or coming into contact with overhead powerlines can be catastrophic. As plumbing professionals, managing these risks is a daily reality. To ensure your business is fully compliant and your workers go home safely, review SafeWork’s essential safety checklist before any work begins:
- Do Your Homework: Always conduct a Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) check and utilize the Look Up and Live app to identify any hazards before breaking ground or setting up equipment.
- Talk to the Authorities: Consult directly with the relevant supply authority before commencing high-risk work.
- Smart Site Planning: Plan your site access and vehicle entry zones carefully, keeping them well away from powerlines whenever possible.
- Respect the Zones: Strictly adhere to all designated exclusion zones and approach distances.
- Deploy the Right Team: Ensure you are using trained, competent plant operators, and utilize dedicated spotters or safety observers.
- Implement Engineering Controls: * Use hydraulic limiting switches on excavators to restrict lift height near overhead lines.
- Utilise non-destructive digging (NDD) equipment (such as potholing or water boring) to safely locate underground services.
- Swap out excavator buckets with teeth for a “gummy bucket” (smooth edge) when working near known services.
Critical Safety Reminder: Only trained and authorised persons should ever test cables or services. Never cut corners on verification.
Resources and Support
SafeWork NSW has called upon Master Plumbers NSW to help spread this vital message. We encourage all members to audit their current job sites against these standards immediately.
If you have specific questions regarding these upcoming inspector visits, you can reach out directly to SafeWork NSW at interventions@safework.nsw.gov.au.
For further industry-specific safety materials, checklists, and guides, visit SafeWork’s official resource hubs:
- SafeWork NSW Building and Construction Web Page
- SafeWork NSW Overhead Powerlines and Underground Services Safety Page
Stay safe, stay compliant, and protect your team this May.
