Making sure everyone can go home safely to their families
SafeWork NSW has launched a five-year strategic plan to ensure workers are kept physically and mentally safe, making sure everyone can go home safely to their families at the end of every workday.
Supporting the strategic plan, the SafeWork NSW Annual Regulatory Statement outlines regulatory priorities and reforms for this year.
The statement details SafeWork NSW’s approach to compliance and enforcement, and prioritises the focus on harm prevention and building industry capabilities.
Identifying high-priority areas
High-priority areas have been identified for SafeWork’s compliance and enforcement programs, which include reducing the number of falls from heights — as this is one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities — and reducing harms for those working in health and social assistance, with a focus on the disability sector.
Psychosocial health and safety will also be targeted over the years ahead, with a focus on eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace by strengthening existing tools and programs.
Exposure to hazardous substances, including silica and asbestos, will also be prioritised, with initiatives already introduced including a ban on engineered stone, tougher safety laws for those working with other silica-containing products and materials, increased SafeWork NSW inspector presence, and a silica worker register to help monitor the health of at-risk workers.
SafeWork NSW will adopt strong and responsive regulatory approaches, while working closely with industry, workers and unions to prevent serious work-related injuries, diseases and fatalities.
SafeWork NSW will adopt strong and responsive regulatory approaches, while working closely with industry, workers and unions to prevent serious work-related injuries, diseases and fatalities.
Fair and firm regulatory approaches
Trent Curtin, Acting Deputy Secretary of SafeWork NSW, said the five-year strategic plan will guide SafeWork NSW to improve on its regulatory and enforcement approaches, while ensuring SafeWork NSW is a strong, accountable and responsive work health and safety regulator.
“Compliance with work health and safety laws remains a persistent challenge in NSW. Every day, our inspectors and staff provide advice and information to let workers know of their rights and to build knowledge and capability amongst businesses and leaders. Where necessary, we enforce compliance and undertake investigations and prosecutions to help secure safe and healthy workplaces, but our focus remains on taking fair and firm regulatory approaches to improve both physical and psychological health and safety,” Curtin said.
To access the SafeWork NSW Strategic Plan 2024-2029, click here.
