The Minns Labor Government's move to strengthen SafeWork NSW is delivering results, with the largest compliance blitz in a decade leading to over 500 non-compliance notices issued across NSW.
Marking its first days as a standalone regulator under its new Commissioner, SafeWork NSW carried out unannounced inspections targeting close to 400 high-risk workplaces and industries.
SafeWork NSW inspectors issued 506 notices for non-compliance, comprising 435 improvement notices, 61 prohibition notices and 10 fines worth almost $50,000.
Unsafe work from heights and the unsafe operation of moving plant, vehicles and fixed machinery were the top two safety risks across worksites.
Key hazards associated with falls from heights include unprotected edges and fragile surfaces.
Businesses were issued with 192 notices for non-compliance with safety requirements relating to work at heights.
Inspectors issued 285 notices for the unsafe operation of moving plant, vehicles and fixed machinery. Some examples include lifts, cranes, scaffolding components, conveyors, forklifts and amusement devices.
Hundreds of SafeWork NSW staff travelled across regional and metropolitan NSW between 1 July and 4 July to conduct unannounced compliance checks to ensure safety obligations were being followed to keep workers safe on the job.
Inspections occurred across the state - from a construction site in Wollongong and farm outside Orange to a manufacturer in Dubbo and nursing home in Ballina.
They were focused on SafeWork NSW's five regulatory priorities and harms which cause the greatest risk to workers:
- falls from heights,
- harms to workers in the healthcare and social assistance sector,
- psychosocial risks at work including sexual harassment,
- exposure to hazardous chemicals including silica, asbestos and welding fumes, and
- injury from mobile plant, vehicles or fixed machinery.
Inspectors also engaged with workers, businesses, health and safety representatives and union delegates during these visits.
The compliance operation coincided with SafeWork NSW's formal transition to a standalone agency on 1 July and the publication of its new Annual Regulatory Statement for 2025-26.
The statement outlines what SafeWork NSW aims to deliver over the next 12 months and the regulatory priorities it will focus on.
This includes SafeWork NSW's approach to compliance, enforcement, programs targeting harm prevention and outlines the agency's key measurable actions to deliver on its regulatory priorities.
For more information on how to manage the risks of working at heights, mobile plant safety and how to how to manage psychosocial risks in construction visit the SafeWork NSW website at www.safework.nsw.gov.au.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
"The results speak for themselves. With over 500 compliance notices issued during the largest blitz in a decade, we're showing that we are serious about protecting workers across NSW.
"There is zero-tolerance for putting worker safety at risk. The Government together with employers and unions have an important role to play to better protect workers.
"By establishing SafeWork NSW as a standalone regulator, the Minns Labor Government is sending a clear message: workplace safety is non-negotiable.
"This move strengthens our ability to enforce work health and safety laws, support businesses to meet their obligations, and drive real cultural change to prevent harm."
SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said:
"SafeWork NSW's first compliance operation as a standalone regulator was the agency's largest proactive and targeted verification program is the past decade.
"The hundreds of unannounced site visits reflect SafeWork NSW's determination to be a visible regulator.
"However, there is still more work to do to ensure workers are not placed in potentially hazardous situations.
"SafeWork NSW will continue to focus on falls from heights hazards and the unsafe operation of moving plant, vehicles and fixed machinery as a priority in the year ahead."
