Estimates Committee B - Answers to Questions Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2) 52 2 Parliament of South Australia Estimates Committee B - Answers to Questions published Estimates Replies SafeWork SA SAFEWORK SA The Hon. I.F. EVANS Legislative Council SAFEWORK SA In reply to the Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (25 June 2012). The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY Legislative Council Minister for Industrial Relations Minister for State/Local Government Relations SAFEWORK SA The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations): I have been advised: 1.	Statistics from WorkCover data confirm that 84 falls occurred in the housing industry over the past five years. In the three year period from 2009 to 2011, the following falls were recorded: 2011: 13 falls 2010: 21 falls 2009: 18 falls There is insufficient information within the WorkCover data to identify equipment failure as the primary cause of the fall. Speculating on the elements of causation is not helpful in that the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 2010 demand a range of measures be implemented to prevent falls from heights. The number of serious falls indicates that prescribed measures were not in place and the level of compliance needs to be improved. 2.	A SafeWork SA Inspector visits a site where a fall from height is notified as a notifiable dangerous occurrence. 3.	Of the 84 falls reported as WorkCover claims, six were notified to SafeWork SA. This position reinforces the magnitude of underreporting in this industry and the lack of compliance with existing legal requirements.