HSRs: An Important Resource for WHS Due Diligence
A Health and Safety Representative (HSR) is sometimes viewed primarily as the person who represents workers when something goes wrong. That is an unnecessarily narrow view of the role. For directors and other officers of a business, an effective HSR can be a valuable WHS resource—helping management understand what is actually happening where work is being performed. Under section 27 of the NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011, officers have a personal duty to exercise due dili
Deputy HSRs
Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) play an important role in representing workers on work health and safety (WHS) matters. However, an HSR can only effectively perform that role when they are available to the workers they represent. If an HSR is regularly away from the workplace, (for example, travelling between sites, working remotely, or carrying out other duties), the work group can be left without effective representation when it is needed. This is where a Deputy He
SafeWork NSW 2026–27 Priorities: Why Codes of Practice Can No Longer Be Ignored
SafeWork NSW has released its 2026–27 Regulatory Statement (July 2026), identifying four priority areas for proactive compliance and enforcement over the coming year: falls from heights psychosocial risks hazardous substances mobile plant, vehicles and fixed machinery. These priorities reflect the hazards most associated with serious injuries and fatalities across New South Wales. For many organisations, however, the significance of the Regulatory Statement extends beyond i
Psychosocial Safety 2026: The Code that becomes Law
The management of psychosocial hazards and risks in New South Wales workplaces is entering a new era. From 13 October 2025, the Industrial Relations and Other Legislation Amendment (Workplace Protections) Bill 2025 introduces section 26A (to commence on 1.7.2026) to the WHS Act 2011 (NSW), transforming approved Codes of Practice including the Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work (2021) Code from advisory guidance into legally enforceable compliance benchmarks. In parallel,
Revisions to the Safe Work Australia Worker Representation and Participation Guide
In 2024 Safe Work Australia amended the Safe Work Australia Worker Representation and Participation Guide previously published in 2022. While no major changes were made to the core information regarding WHS consultation, representation, and participation, the amended guide incorporated changes to integrate recent legislative changes, specifically those related to the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Model WHS Regulation.