Unauthorised access on construction sites

When people enter construction sites, they may be exposed to hazards that can cause fatalities or serious injuries.

As part of the duty of care responsibilities, the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 stipulate that a person with management or control of a workplace at which construction work is carried out must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the workplace is secured from unauthorised access. The legislation is not prescriptive as different sites have different risks and there is no ‘one size fits all’. This means that the most appropriate controls should be chosen for the particular site.

In assessing the risk, the person with the management or control of the workplace must consider:

• the likelihood of unauthorised access
• the risks to the health and safety of an unauthorised person
• how to confine hazards if unauthorised access cannot be prevented
• additional child security requirements for sites near schools, parks and shops.

Further information

WorkSafe’s Construction site security: Unauthorised access: Information sheet, Construction site security: Checklist and Construction work: Code of practice may assist you in the evaluation of the risks associated with unauthorised access to your construction site.