HSRs and Risk Management
Work health and safety (WHS) is most effective when it is built on shared understanding, clear roles, and genuine collaboration. One of the key strengths of the WHS framework in Australia is the way it brings together the business, management, workers, and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) to manage risks collectively. Understanding the role of HSRs in risk management is essential, not just for compliance, but for creating workplaces where safety systems actually wor
Three Categories of WHS Offences and a Table of NSW Penalty Units (2025-2026)
The NSW WHS Act 2011 has recently been amended. These amendments have included an increase in the penalty rates for WHS breaches. ....
Consultation as the fundamental failure in serious work health and safety incidents
Serious workplace incidents, worker fatalities, and life‑altering injuries rarely occur in the absence of prior warning signs. Repeatedly, investigations, coronial inquiries and court decisions show that the most common systemic failure is not the absence of written safety systems, but the failure of those systems to be informed by meaningful consultation. Consultation failures are consistently identified as a root cause of serious harm.
Lack of Proactive Officer Duties Drives a 30 % Higher Workplace Fatality Rate
Victoria’s workplace health and safety regulator, WorkSafe Victoria, recorded 12 workplace fatalities in the 12 months to 21 November 2025. Twelve preventable deaths in one year, in industries where the hazards and controls are well known is an unacceptable toll by any measure. The causes remain unchanged: structural collapses, unguarded machinery, falls from height, fatigue-related vehicle incidents, and chemical explosions, concentrated in construction, agriculture, manufac
What does it take to be an HSR trainer?
Courtenell put considerable effort into expanding its scope of WHS services in 2023. Being one of the oldest training providers in New...
What do HSRs Learn in SafeWork NSW’s new HSR Course?
Weekly WHS Article 29th June 2023 If an HSR wants to be able to that role fully, they must be trained on SafeWork NSW’s initial 5-day...
If you have work groups you must have HSRs
Workers must be represented in any decisions that an organisation intends to make on matters of health and safety. (Ref 1) A business cannot simply make changes regarding a work health and safety matter without first getting feedback from the members of the workforce. This information is obtained by consulting each member of the workforce that may be affected by the health and safety matter being addressed. The organisation director and other officers of the business must en
Trainer feedback on HSR virtual courses
Here is some feedback from one of our WHS trainers who delivers the SafeWork NSW HSR courses virtually in Zoom and MS Teams. ....
Good News about SafeWork NSW’s updated HSR courses
In late 2022 SafeWork NSW completed a review of the SafeWork NSW developed Health and Safety Representatives Training Course Material ....
HSRs need to be trained on Psychosocial Hazards & Risks
Should HSRs be trained on psychosocial hazards & risks? The answer is yes.
Psychosocial Hazards and “Gaslighting”
The term “gaslighting” is a term which describes conduct also known as “subtle workplace bullying.” Hazards, risks, and incidents ....
Managers & Supervisors need to be trained
Company Directors, CEOs, and business owners need to use and be able to rely on their Managers and Supervisors to carry out actions ....
Provide Information, Training, Instruction, and Supervision
The NSW Code of Practice: How to Manage Health & Safety Risks, has very useful guidance that you can use to compare with the actions ....