Four Victorian regulators carried out almost 150 inspections in and around Phillip Island and Wonthaggi construction sites as part of the Build Aware campaign, educating workers and identifying safety risks.

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), WorkSafe, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) visited sites between 27 February and 3 March 2023, to ensure the construction industry was meeting safety, environmental and building obligations. The inspections found:

• ESV inspectors witnessed strong compliance across the 26 sites visited, including 15 solar installations. There was a keen focus on basic electrical safety, including checks to ensure machinery remained clear of powerlines.
• VBA inspectors carried out 91 inspections, with more than half of work sites featuring non-compliant building or plumbing work. Workers were required to demonstrate improved processes and how compliance will be achieved.
• WorkSafe conducted 17 visits and issued five improvement notices across two sites for a trenching risk with no emergency rescue plan, no safe trench access and egress and an inadequate handrail on a roof.
• The EPA-authorised officers carried out 12 inspections across residential and commercial construction sites, providing compliance advice on the containment of waste, sediment control and stormwater management.