The Minns Labor Government has initiated a comprehensive, state-based deployment of body-worn video (BWV) technology. This is part of a renewed commitment to deter any potential for violent or aggressive actions towards SafeWork NSW inspectors. These officers play a crucial role in enforcing the use of WHS management systems and other safety measures across New South Wales’ job sites.
While the utilisation of solutions such as the ‘Bluesafe SWMS‘ is crucial, workplace inspectors are not always well received on site. Often, their duties involve engaging in dangerous environments, interacting with workers, and travelling into remote, isolated areas.
The “Enhancing our Safety, Enhances Yours” campaign will equip inspectors with further protective measures including body-worn cameras. These devices can be triggered if an inspector believes that they or another person may be in harm’s way or at risk of encountering aggression or violence, thus supplementing enforcement of policies and safety procedures like the Bluesafe WHS Management System.
Recent years have seen an alarming uptick in violent and aggressive incidents involving SafeWork Inspectors. Currently holding cautionary flags on 179 active employer entities, numerous cases are under ongoing investigation. According to section 190 of the Work Health Safety Act, offences towards SafeWork Inspectors can bear hefty penalties, from $70,000 or two years imprisonment for individuals to nearly $400,000 for corporate bodies.
The BWVs will serve not only as a deterrent to inappropriate behaviour but also support the prosecution of alleged crimes against SafeWork inspectors while carrying out their role in ensuring work safety standards.
All SafeWork NSW inspectors will receive training on handling the BWV and accompanying evidence. The devices will be distributed among inspectors within the coming months. For more details, please browse the official SafeWork NSW website.
Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis expressed, “Our government is dedicated to a zero-tolerance approach to violence and aggression within workplaces. Providing SafeWork inspectors with BWVs further solidifies our promise to enhance workplace safety continuously. Every worker deserves to return safely to their families.”
Trent Curtin, Head of SafeWork, commented, “We will not condone violence and aggression towards our Inspectors. Our new initiative recognises the risks our inspectors face daily while carrying out essential safety compliance tasks across NSW.”
Backing this initiative, Stewart Little, General Secretary of the Public Service Association of NSW said: “Body-worn camera technology will deter any acts of violence or aggression involving our members and serve as an evidence-gathering tool during worksite inspections. Minister Cotsis’ commitment to our members’ safety is commendable.”
In consensus, Maree Davidson, the SafeWork NSW Manager Risk, Assurance & Reviewable Decisions added that these cameras are an additional safety measure aimed at deterring violence and aggression, beneficial for legal proceedings if required. She concluded by stating that making workplaces safer for all workers in NSW is the ultimate goal.
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/body-worn-video-camera-rollout-to-deter-violence-and-aggression-in-the-workplace