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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-11-17 Daily Xml
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Construction Site Safety

Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (14:28): My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister update the house on the importance of safety on construction sites?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:28): Sir, I can. There are clear reasons that exist, and clear laws that exist, that need to be adhered to around construction sites. SafeWork SA advised that an unauthorised visitor to a construction site may be unfamiliar with or have no understanding of the safety risks they may be exposed to.

These risks could include falls from buildings, scaffolding or even open excavations; protruding reinforcement bars; collapsing materials, causing suffocation or crushing; and contact with hazardous substances and plant. So it is extremely concerning to learn that, last week, a member of this house entered a state government construction zone without appropriate PPE.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I know. That member was the Leader of the Opposition.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: I have been advised that puffer jackets are not PPE.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Don't get upset. I'm not Nick McBride. Don't get upset. We have been advised that last week the Leader of the Opposition entered without authorisation the Glenthorne Farm nature playground construction. The area is an active construction zone and entry to the site requires approval as well as appropriate PPE. There are signs, fencing and bunting that indicate this area is a construction zone for authorised access only. It would appear the Leader of the Opposition knew that PPE was required because earlier this year when he was a minister he was there pictured in full PPE. He had the full gear on. He likes to dress up. PPE was on.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Point of order.

The SPEAKER: Point of order, member for West Torrens. There is a point of order that I will hear from the member for Morialta.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Standing order 98: the minister has now gone well beyond.

The SPEAKER: Yes, as well as digression and personal reflection. I draw the member for West Torrens' attention to standing orders.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: It would appear that the Leader of the Opposition knew the requirements of visiting the site was full PPE because, while he was in government, he was wearing full PPE and then just wearing a puffer jacket.

We are all aware in this house that when visiting a construction site visitors must wear PPE and it must be worn in accordance with any information, training or reasonable instruction provided by a site supervisor. There are rules in place for a reason—that is, to ensure that members of the public are not exposed to risk arising from a construction site because unauthorised entry to construction sites may expose a person to a number of hazards that, if not controlled, could result in the likelihood of fatalities or serious injury. I know it's improper to have props, sir, but I have seen the Leader of the Opposition in his full PPE—

The SPEAKER: Order! There will be no props.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: That would be disorderly, sir—

The SPEAKER: It would be.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: —and I apologise to the house in full. But if you want to lead the state, if you want to be Premier, follow the rules.

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