Building and construction
This page is your go-to hub for safety information on construction-related hazards.
Inspectors are now targeting:
- Mental health (download our action plan to improve mental health on your site)
- Crystalline silica (learn about Legislative Changes)
- Falls from heights (consult with workers using our toolbox talks)
- Mobile plant (check off our machine safety checklist)
- Poor performing and repeat offender businesses
Important links
Pocket guide to construction safety
- Pocket guide to construction (PDF, 1352.71 KB) - a collection of safety checklists for small businesses and subcontractors.
Basics of safety
- How to Prepare a Safe Work method statement (SWMS)
- Code of practice – Construction work (PDF, 1014.41 KB)
- Housing industry site safety pack- a collection of safety templates for subcontractors.
Notify SafeWork
If there is a serious injury or illness, a death or a dangerous incident, you must report it to us immediately as an urgent investigation may be needed.
- Notify SafeWork of an incident or hazardous work
- Keep you and your work mates safe. Our Speak Up Save Lives app lets you report an unsafe work situation, while giving you the choice to remain anonymous.
Licences and permits
- Licences
- Conditions and permits for Union entry permit holders.
Online safety resources
Everyone has the right to be safe at work and SafeWork has a range of health and safety resources to assist you:
We've launched a work health and safety blueprint to reduce fatalities, injury and illness rates in the NSW building and construction industry by 2026.
A-Z safety topics and resources
Asbestos
Any house or building constructed or renovated prior to 1990 could contain asbestos.
Be aware of asbestos:
- Search for building products that contain asbestos
- See our image gallery of how to look for asbestos
- See our YouTube playlist on “asbestos safety for tradies”
You must have a licence to remove asbestos
Licences:
- Find a licenced asbestos removalist or assessor in your area
- How to get a Class A asbestos removal licence
- How to get a Class B asbestos removal licence
- How to get an asbestos assessor licence
- Under certain circumstances, an asbestos removalist must notify us to remove asbestos
Concrete placing equipment
Common incidents involving concrete placing equipment could include:
- workers being hit by a concrete line hose,
- concrete hoses bursting due to blockages,
- equipment hitting powerlines and scaffolding.
To stay safe, ensure:
- safe work systems are in place for set-up, placement and concrete operations
- safe distances from overhead power lines
- workers are adequately licensed, trained, skilled and supervised
- equipment is inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ requirements
- exclusion zones are in place to prevent unauthorised access when operations are underway
- ground conditions are suitable in supporting the operation of the concrete placement equipment and outriggers.
Useful resources:
- Concrete placing equipment operations fact sheet
- Concrete pumping equipment SafetyCast
- Guide to managing risk in construction: concrete pumping - Safe Work Australia
Registration and licencing:
Cranes
The common risks associated with cranes are loads falling or the crane hitting a building, powerlines, scaffold or persons.
You need a high-risk work (HRW) licence to operate most cranes.
- Information on how to get a HRW crane licence.
- Guide for crane operators (PDF, 1225.66 KB)
Mobile cranes
- Safety checklist – Mobile crane safety for PCBUs (PDF, 166.04 KB)
- Roles and responsibilities when hiring or using mobile crane
- Safety alert – Using mobile cranes in ‘pick and carry’ operations
See more information on mobile cranes
Tower cranes
Crystalline silica
Microscopic silica dust particles can settle deep in the lungs, causing serious illness and death. Crystalline silica laws changed in 2024 see the crystalline silica page for more.
Demolition
Demolition work carries major risks. It can lead to structural collapses. Workers might also be exposed to dust, silica, and asbestos. There is also risk of hitting electrical lines.
You must be licenced for demolition work and notify SafeWork NSW when demolishing in some circumstances.
- Find a demolition licence holder in your area
- Learn about working as a demolition licence holder
- How to get an unrestricted licence or a restricted licence
Useful resources:
Codes of practice:
Design
Consideration should be given during the design phase for buildings and structures to eliminate or minimise risks to the health and safety of persons during the construction process.
Electrical
The most common electrical risks include hitting overhead and underground powerlines, working on live equipment, and arc flashes. Consult with the supply authority and de-energise equipment before working near electricity. Don't do electrical work without a licence.
Factsheet and checklists:
- principal contractors and site supervisors: Electrical safety in construction inspection checklist (PDF, 196.38 KB)
- construction or demolition site: Electrical practices – construction and demolition sites fact sheet
- general guidance: Electrical risks at the workplace fact sheet
Electrical and power pages:
- Understand the requirements for electrical equipment inspection (testing and tagging).
- Know when you need a residual current device (RCD).
- Know the specific requirements for working with de-energised electrical equipment.
- Understand the safety requirements when working near power lines – overhead and underground.
Licensing:
Webinar:
Codes of practice:
- Managing electrical risks in the workplace (PDF, 1337.36 KB) provides more information on inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
- Work near overhead powerlines (PDF, 3569.89 KB) provides more information on how to protect workers from the risks arising when working near overhead power lines and associated electrical equipment.
Excavation
Operators of load-shifting equipment must be given adequate information, training, instruction and supervision to work safely.
Contact Before You Dig Australia before commencing work to obtain current underground essential services information (location and depth) relating to the workplace and adjacent areas.
Incident information:
Codes of practice:
- Code of practice – Excavation work (PDF, 4128.95 KB)
- Code of practice – Managing the risks of plant in the workplace (PDF, 1987.96 KB)
Read more about excavations and earthmoving plant in construction
Falling objects
In construction, materials can fall from cranes, scaffolds, or buildings. So, always secure them and set up protections.
Other resources:
Formwork
Formwork involves major risks. These include falls through penetrations or platform edges, being hit by falling timbers or crane loads, formwork collapse and contact with powerlines.
Additional resources:
- Video – Planning to prevent falls - Formwork
- Formwork safety in construction - Checklist (PDF, 171 KB)
Codes of practice:
Licences and authorisations
Workers require a licence or permit to undertake certain activities in the workplace.
Conduct a licence check:
You must ensure workers are licenced for the activities they are doing. Fines may apply.
- Conduct a licence check here.
How to get a licence:
- How to get a high risk work licence including for dogging, cranes, scaffolding, rigging, hoists, concrete placing booms and elevating work platforms.
- How to get a white card - also called general induction construction training.
- How to get an asbestos work licence including licenced asbestos assessor, class A (friable) and class B (non-friable) – as well as asbestos removal supervisor nomination
- How to get a demolition licence
- How to get a traffic control work card including traffic controller, implement traffic control plans and prepare a work zone traffic management plan
- How to arrange plant registration for design or items, such as tower and mobile cranes, concrete placing booms
- How to get an explosives licence including blasting and storage.
See NSW Fair Trading for occupational licences including electrical workers, builders, carpenters, plumbers etc.
Manual tasks
Manual tasks can turn into musculoskeletal disorders. This happens with repetition, high effort, sudden force, awkward positions, and vibration.
Useful resources:
- Find out how to reduce the risk of manual tasks through the PErforM program
Videos:
- YouTube playlist on preventing musculoskeletal disorders
Code of practice:
Mental health
Construction sites pose mental health risks, not just physical ones. Harassment and bullying lower morale. High pressure leads to burnout. Traumatic events leave lasting effects. Violence is a significant threat. Recognising these risks is vital for safety.
Useful resources:
- Action plan - Managing psychosocial risks in construction – use this tool to help you identify psychosocial hazards and control the risk.
- Mental health in construction poster
- Get free training and coaching on mentally healthy workplaces
- See our YouTube video playlist on “mentally healthy workplaces”
Toolbox talk:
- Mentally healthy construction workplaces - toolbox talk for workers.
Code of practice:
Mobile communication devices
Using your phone while on a construction site distracts you from being alert to hazards and risks around you.
Plant, machinery and equipment
There are many items of plant on construction sites that can be a risk to workers if not managed properly.
There are also specific laws around design, registration, supply and use.
Useful resources:
Registration and licencing:
- Find out about plant registration requirements, such as tower and mobile cranes, concrete placing booms
Codes of practice:
Read more plant, machinery and equipment (design, supply, operation) information
Respect at work
Sexual harassment is a workplace hazard that can injure both the mind and body. It includes unwanted sexual advances, requests for favors, or any behavior that offends or intimidates.
Useful resources:
- Respect at work resource library | NSW Government
- Reporting options guide for workplace sexual harassment | NSW Government – For workers
- Regulation map for NSW businesses: workplace sexual harassment – For Businesses
- 24/7 Support options guide: workplace sexual harassment
Webinar:
Poster:
Code of practice
- Code of practice - Sexual and gender-based harassment (PDF, 1433.87 KB)
Scaffold
The main risks with scaffold include falls from incomplete scaffolds, being hit by falling tools or materials and scaffold collapse. Tradies who don’t hold a scaffold licence must not erect, alter or dismantle a scaffold where the risk of a person or object falling is more than 4 metres.
For employers
Checklist and templates:
- Download our scaffold safety checklist for site supervisors (PDF, 392.98 KB)
- Use the scaffold certificate handover template (PDF, 64.48 KB) – including the minimum information required by a scaffolder upon handover to a business
- Scaffolding industry safety standard (PDF, 11195.23 KB) – SafeWork NSW
Toolbox talk:
- Consult with your workers using our toolbox talk – using scaffolds (PDF, 690.33 KB)
For scaffolders
- Erecting, altering and dismantling scaffolding – SafeWork NSW
- General guide for scaffolds and scaffolding work – SafeWork Australia
- Guide for scaffold inspection and maintenance – SafeWork Australia
Solar panel (rooftop) installation
You must use fall prevention devices E.G. temporary edge protection or scaffold when installing solar, even on a one-story house. Harness-based systems can only be used if edge protection or scaffold can't be installed.
For solar retailers:
- Fall protection assessment template (PDF, 132.92 KB)
- Know your solar installers template (PDF, 670.62 KB)
- Solar retailers safety checklist (PDF, 285.92 KB)
For solar installers:
- Solar installers safety checklist
- Guide to safe solar panel installation (rooftop) for installers
- Temporary edge protection (roof rails) fact sheet (PDF, 2885.66 KB)
- Fall protection assessment tool(PDF, 132.92 KB).
Videos:
See more solar panel photovoltaic installations (rooftop) information
Traffic management
Employers have a duty to ensure traffic is appropriately managed on their site Workers must have the SafeWork NSW Traffic Control Work Training Card if they work in traffic control.
Traffic control work training:
- Find out more about traffic control training and cards
- Traffic control training - course overview
- Verify a worker’s licence
Safe Work Australia resources:
- Traffic management guide: Construction work – Safe Work Australia
- Traffic hazards checklist – Safe Work Australia
- Traffic control measures checklist – Safe Work Australia
- Traffic management information sheet – Safe Work Australia
Codes of practice:
Women in construction
Women working in the construction industry can be exposed to a different set of risks to others on site. It is important to know where to find support and how to best support female workers.
The NSW Government is taking active steps to make the construction industry a more diverse, inclusive and safe workplace for everyone.
Understand Your Rights:
- The basics – your rights at work
- Your obligations at work
- Information for workers and employers about pregnant workers
Learn about:
- Sexual harassment in the workplace
- Psychosocial hazards, including bullying in the workplace
- Diversity in the workplace
- Violence in the workplace.
Podcast:
- Listen to our women in construction SafetyCast to hear from four women who work in the construction industry
Flyer:
- Download and display our women in construction safety resource flyer (PDF, 206.3 KB)
Codes of practice:
- Information on amenities can be found in the construction work code of practice (PDF, 1014.41 KB)
Working at heights
Most serious and fatal falls are from roofs, ladders, scaffolds, voids and building edges and are from a height of less than 4 metres. WHS laws say you must protect workers from falling from one level to another – regardless of the height. You also need a safe work method statement (SWMS) for work above 2 metres. Fines may apply.
Toolbox talks:
Checklists:
- Working at heights in construction safety checklist (PDF, 208.69 KB)
- Download the scaffold safety checklist for site supervisors (PDF, 392.98 KB) to conduct basic checks on scaffold, voids/edges, formwork, ladders and mobile scaffs.
Poster:
- Poster - Step up your ladder safety (PDF, 3525.37 KB)
- Poster - Work safely at any height (PDF, 2419.61 KB)
Codes of practice:
Working environment and facilities
Keep your site safe with access to clean facilities and first aid, manage noise and changing environmental conditions and keep it secure when unattended.
Useful resources:
- Check out our SeasonalSAFE campaign to find out how to work safely when there is extreme heat, ultra-violet radiation (UVR) and bushfire smoke.
- Secure your site in high winds
- Portable workplace toilets in construction factsheet
Checklist:
Codes of practice:
Young workers
Young workers who are new to construction can be more at-risk in your workplace. These workers may require additional supervision or information to work safely.
Useful resources:
- See our young workers e-toolkit to access a range of resources that have been specifically developed to support young workers’ safety
- Download our checklist for training young workers for workplace induction training topics
Apprentices:
- Duties for employers with apprentices/trainees
- A guide for labour hire workers, group training apprentices and trainees
Incidents:
Related information
Workplace laws
Workshops, webinars and podcasts
Safety checklists
- Relocating or raising houses (PDF, 314.75 KB)
- Construction falls from heights (PDF, 208.69 KB)
- Earthmoving plant in construction (PDF, 669.46 KB)
- Electrical safety in construction (PDF, 196.38 KB)
- Formwork safety in construction
(PDF, 171 KB) - Keeping your site safe and secure when it is unattended (PDF, 1083.29 KB)
- Mobile crane safety (PDF, 166.04 KB)
- Scaffold inspection (PDF, 392.98 KB)
- Silica safety in construction (PDF, 571.4 KB)
- Solar installers safety (PDF, 227.5 KB)
- Tower crane safety (PDF, 166.44 KB)
- Training young workers (PDF, 1191.25 KB)
Toolbox talks
- Safe ladder use (PDF, 1578.26 KB)
- Safe scaffold use (PDF, 690.33 KB)
- Mentally healthy workplaces in construction (PDF, 252.6 KB)
- Silica in construction (PDF, 560.12 KB)
Small business rebate
- If you are a small business owner in NSW, the $1,000 SafeWork small business rebate will help you purchase safety items to improve work health and safety for you and your workers.
Evaluation reports
- Findings report: Scaff safe in construction 2024
- Findings report: Electrical safety in construction 2024
Look up findings and observations from our construction inspection projects.
Codes of practice
Construction-specific
- Construction work (PDF, 1014.41 KB)
- Managing the risk of falls (PDF, 2326.56 KB)
- Managing electrical risks (PDF, 1337.36 KB)
- Managing the risks of plant in the workplace (PDF, 1987.96 KB)
- Demolition work (PDF, 668.8 KB)
- Excavation work (PDF, 4128.95 KB)
- Manage and control asbestos (PDF, 1650.55 KB)
- How to remove asbestos (PDF, 2770.66 KB)
Other relevant codes
- How to manage WHS risks (PDF, 556.72 KB)
- WHS consultation, coordination and cooperation (PDF, 635.62 KB)
- Managing noise and preventing hearing loss (PDF, 1377.23 KB)
- Hazardous manual tasks (PDF, 1499.23 KB)
- First aid in the workplace (PDF, 391.59 KB)
- Safe design of structures (PDF, 1039.8 KB)
- Managing the work environment and facilities (PDF, 422.29 KB)
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