Work health and safety laws require construction sites to have adequate site security, including appropriate temporary fencing.

People in control of sites need to address the risks that unsecured construction sites can pose, especially in relation to children. 

Building sites in residential areas pose a heightened risk during school holidays when there are more children in the vicinity. 

WHS regulators also advise site controllers not to overlook excavation areas that can fill with water and pose a potential drowning risk, such as pits, trenches, and pier holes. It may sound unlikely, but there have been a number of drownings in pits and pier holes on construction sites. 

Over a five-year period, one WHS regulator issued more than 40 infringement notices in relation to unauthorised persons accessing construction sites. 

Risk assessment 

Site controllers should conduct a site-specific risk assessment to determine fencing requirements. While sites are unattended, they should ensure that: 

  • electrical power is off 
  • access to elevated floors, scaffolding, ladders is blocked 
  • plant and equipment, tools, chemicals, and dangerous goods are securely stored 
  • water drums are emptied 
  • excavation areas such as pits, trenches, and pier holes are covered
  • appropriate signage is erected with contact telephone numbers 
  • adequate site security/fencing is provided. 

Site controllers can follow simple steps to help prevent a potential tragedy by minimising the risk of access to a site by unauthorised individuals. 

Further information on construction site security and fencing is available on the WorkSafe Victoria website.