Construction

The construction industry is changing.  Legislative requirements are tightening and we are seeing increased enforcement and community expectations for OHS/WHS and environmental compliance. JTA has been providing construction services for over 35 years for both major and smaller projects. 

Detect. Protect. JTA helps builders, contractors and project teams identify workplace hazards, assess risks and choose practical controls to protect workers and surrounding communities.

Construction Issues

Construction projects can involve changing site conditions, multiple contractors and a wide range of health, safety and environmental risks. These include falls, moving plant and vehicles, manual handling, electrical hazards, airborne dusts and fumes, noise, vibration and exposure to hazardous materials during demolition or refurbishment.

Compliance Issues

JTA provides practical advice on WHS/OHS and environmental requirements throughout construction projects. Our consultants can review site conditions, work practices and management systems, assess risks and recommend controls relevant to your project. We can also assist with communication involving authorities, local stakeholders and surrounding communities.

Workplace Exposure Limits for Construction

From 1 December 2026, Australia's Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) will replace the current Workplace Exposure Standards (WES). Construction businesses should review the airborne contaminants relevant to their activities and whether the changes affect their exposure assessments and controls.

Detect. Identify potential exposures from concrete cutting and grinding, demolition, excavation, welding, painting, timber work and diesel-powered plant. JTA's construction WEL guidance helps you explore relevant activities, airborne hazards and assessment options.

Protect. Use the assessment findings to review controls such as dust suppression, extraction, ventilation, work practices and respiratory protection. Plan any further monitoring needed to check that controls remain effective as the project progresses.

View Construction WEL Guidance

For an overview of the changes and guidance for other industries, visit the Workplace Exposure Limits Resource Centre. Not every construction exposure has a changing limit. Current exposure standards continue to apply until the new limits take effect.

Specific Services for Construction

Construction OHS/WHS and Environmental Management Systems

JTA supports construction projects from planning through to completion. Our services help you review project risks, contractor arrangements and site management practices, including:

• Tender assessments
• Safety management system assessments
• Contractor management
• On-site compliance audits
• Plant risk assessments

Asbestos Audits and Monitoring

Demolition, refurbishment and excavation can disturb asbestos-containing materials. Identifying these materials before work begins helps you plan suitable controls and manage the risk of exposure. JTA provides assessment, monitoring and advice on managing asbestos where it is identified or suspected.

Our services include:

• Asbestos audits
• Asbestos air monitoring
• Asbestos clearance inspections
• Soil assessments

Hazardous Materials, Chemicals and Wastes

Our hazardous materials assessments help identify materials and exposure risks that may affect your construction project. Relevant issues can include:

• Asbestos, lead-based paints, PCBs and other hazardous materials in existing buildings
• Dusts generated during cutting, grinding, demolition and earthworks
• Potentially contaminated demolition materials, soils and water
• Emissions from chemicals, plant and equipment, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas

Environmental Monitoring

Construction activities can affect neighbouring properties and surrounding communities. JTA can assist with monitoring dust, noise, vibration and water quality, and assessing contaminated soils. Our environmental noise assessments, vibration monitoring and soil assessments help you understand site conditions and review appropriate controls.

Noise, Vibration and Building Acoustics

Our noise modelling helps assess potential impacts during project planning. We also provide construction noise and vibration monitoring to assess conditions during works, investigate concerns and support decisions about controls.

Our building acoustics services support the assessment, design and testing of acoustic performance in buildings and rooms.

Occupational Hygiene and Worker Exposure

Construction workers may be exposed to dusts, fumes, vapours and other airborne contaminants. Our occupational hygiene assessments help identify relevant hazards and determine whether further exposure monitoring is needed.

JTA provides crystalline silica monitoring and asbestos air monitoring, with advice tailored to the materials, tasks and conditions at your site.

Worker Health

JTA supports worker health programs through services including audiometric testing, spirometry, drug and alcohol testing and flu vaccination programs. We can help you identify the services relevant to your workforce and arrange testing around your site's requirements.

We also provide on-site workplace health checks to help employees understand their health risks and receive practical health and lifestyle advice.

Other Related Services

• Manual handling risk assessments
• Traffic management planning
• External cladding assessments