THE State Government plans to boost the number of WorkSafe inspectors by 25 per cent over the next four years in a bid to crack down on dangerous work sites and negligent employers.
The Government’s commitment will be $6.6 million over the next four years to fund 20 new WorkSafe inspectors.
Eight of the new inspectors would commence work in 2003-04, six in 2004-05 and a further six in 2005-06.
A recent statement by Premier Geoff Gallop singled out the construction and building industry, particularly the crane and tilt-up construction sectors, as needing further scrutiny.
Mr Gallop said that safety incidents in May 2002, including crane collapses, a number of tilt-up panel collapses and one worksite death served to highlight that some in the industry showed a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of their workers.