Short news items about work health and safety developments, regulator updates and practical lessons for Australian businesses.
Recent research from Auckland University of Technology (AUT), conducted after the 2025 voluntary recall of asbestos-contaminated coloured play sands, reinforces the critical need for robust WHS management systems, clear policies and effective risk controls when managing children’s play materials in workplaces and public settings.
A New South Wales agricultural business has been fined $555,000 after a worker was fatally injured in a quad bike incident, highlighting the critical importance of robust WHS management systems and safe work procedures for mobile plant on farms.
SafeWork NSW has released its 2026–27 Regulatory Statement, signalling a clear expectation that businesses will strengthen their work health and safety practices, particularly in high‑risk areas such as falls from height, mobile plant, psychosocial hazards and hazardous substances.
A new 2025 comparative report has been released, outlining how workers’ compensation schemes operate across Australia and New Zealand, with key insights for employers strengthening WHS management systems and policies.
The Real Juice Company Pty Ltd and its sole director have been convicted and fined a combined $249,600 in the Industrial Court of NSW after a worker was struck by a reversing forklift, highlighting the critical importance of robust WHS management systems and safe systems of work around mobile plant.
A New South Wales civil construction company has been convicted and fined $25,000 after a trench collapse left a worker injured during excavation activities, highlighting the critical importance of robust WHS management systems and safe work procedures for trenching and excavation work.
Mulligan Geotechnical Pty Ltd has been fined $225,000 in the Industrial Court of NSW following a serious fall from an elevated work platform during slope remediation works, highlighting the critical importance of robust WHS management systems for work at height.
Safe Work Australia has launched the 2026 National Safe Work Month campaign kit, providing Australian workplaces with practical tools to promote safer, healthier work throughout October and beyond.
Safe Work Australia has confirmed that workplace exposure limits for nine key chemicals will remain unchanged when Australia transitions to the new workplace exposure limits for airborne contaminants on 1 December 2026, following WHS ministers’ consideration of the latest regulatory impact analysis.
SafeWork NSW has completed a series of proactive construction site inspections in the Wilton and Wollondilly region, following a Builders Breakfast and Toolbox Talk focused on lifting safety standards across the industry.
