Victoria’s construction sector is under renewed scrutiny as WorkSafe ramps up prosecutions and inspections, warning builders that cutting corners on safety will not be tolerated.
New data shows construction remains one of the state’s most dangerous industries, accounting for a significant portion of workplace deaths and serious injuries. In response, WorkSafe has sharpened its focus on building sites, targeting employers who fail to protect their crews.
In 2024–25, WorkSafe secured 123 successful health and safety prosecutions across Victoria, resulting in $12.4 million in fines and enforceable undertakings. Inspectors also conducted 57,600 workplace inspections and issued nearly 16,300 compliance notices—a marked increase on the year before.
Construction in the spotlight
The message from the government is blunt: the construction industry must lift safety standards or face legal and financial consequences.
“Every workplace death is unacceptable – that’s why we are working towards a future of zero deaths and zero excuses,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for WorkSafe, Ben Carroll.
“If a worker dies on your watch due to negligence, you risk criminal charges. We will not tolerate employers who gamble with workers’ lives.”
The construction industry has long been a high-risk environment, with falls from height, unsafe scaffolding, electrical hazards, and poor site management among the leading causes of fatalities and serious injuries.
WorkSafe’s new strategy will see construction placed at the top of its compliance agenda, with tailored inspections and education programs aimed at improving safety culture on building sites.
Ambitious targets for builders
WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer, Sam Jenkin, said the authority has set ambitious prevention goals that will rely heavily on the construction sector’s cooperation:
- 30% reduction in work-related fatalities
- 20% reduction in workplace injuries
“Construction remains a priority because of the level of risk workers face daily,” Jenkin said.
“We know safe building sites don’t just happen — they are created when employers invest in systems, training and consultation. That’s why our inspectors are on the ground, ensuring obligations are met, but also why we’re working with industry to influence real change.”
Practical implications for builders
For builders and subcontractors, the rise in compliance activity means safety systems and processes must be watertight. Inspectors are visiting more sites than ever, and the increase in compliance notices from 13,943 to nearly 16,300 shows how closely practices are being monitored.
What this means on site:
- Falls from height remain a top concern – Builders must ensure scaffolding, harnesses, and edge protection meet current standards.
- Site inductions and training are critical – Supervisors are expected to provide thorough briefings, not just token introductions.
- Documentation matters – Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), inspection records and incident reports need to be up to date and accessible.
- Psychological safety is now part of compliance – Builders must also address issues like bullying, fatigue and poor consultation, which can be considered breaches.
Building safer sites, building stronger businesses
WorkSafe’s 2025–26 Statement of Regulatory Intent makes it clear: builders who fail to invest in safety systems are not just risking fines and prosecution, they’re also undermining their reputation and ability to win future work.
For construction leaders, the challenge is to move beyond compliance as a tick-box exercise and build genuine safety cultures on site. That means engaging supervisors and trades, embedding systems that work, and staying ahead of regulatory shifts.
As Carroll summed up:
“We will not tolerate employers who gamble with workers’ lives.”
Author: TGB Editorial
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