Record turnout for SafeWork NSW health and safety training

The training brought together health and safety representatives (HSRs) from industries including health, construction, transport and manufacturing. Interactive sessions focused on developing their skills and confidence to advocate for workplace safety. The program also addressed psychosocial hazards, including bullying, excessive workloads, violence and sexual harassment. David White, whose son died in a workplace accident, shared his lived experience.

HSRs are elected by workers to represent them on workplace health and safety matters. Their role includes raising safety concerns on behalf of colleagues and supporting consultation so workers can contribute to decisions affecting them. They also have the power to issue Provisional Improvement Notices. The refresher training focused on helping representatives identify and address workplace risks and hazards.

SafeWork NSW’s regulatory priorities include falls from heights; mobile plant, vehicles and fixed machinery; psychosocial risks; harm to workers in health care and social assistance; and exposure to hazardous substances. Falls remain one of the most common causes of workplace fatalities. Of the 274 worker deaths in NSW between 2019 and 2023, 36 involved falls from heights. Working at heights also resulted in 267 serious injuries between July 2024 and June 2025.

In March, SafeWork NSW issued more than 140 improvement notices during a targeted statewide compliance operation aimed at reducing injuries involving mobile plant, including forklifts, fixed machinery and workplace vehicles. The release linked these incidents to the importance of training HSRs to address potential hazards in their workplaces.

The NSW Government’s 2025–26 Budget included $127.7 million over four years to strengthen SafeWork NSW’s work on psychosocial hazards and the compliance and enforcement of safe work practices. Recruitment is underway for 51 inspectors, including 20 focused on psychosocial hazards. The investment forms part of a broader $344 million Workplace Mental Health package supporting mental health and injury prevention in NSW workplaces.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said the day-long refresher reinforced the importance of HSRs and gave representatives in metropolitan and regional NSW current information to support their safety advocacy. She thanked unions, businesses and families for their involvement. “Every worker has the right to return home safely at the end of every workday.”

SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer described HSRs as having a frontline role in workplace safety and contributing to safer, healthier workplaces across the state. She said stronger relationships between representatives, regulators, workplaces and unions could support shared understanding of health and safety and increase the impact of safety initiatives across industries.

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey said the representatives who attended would return to work with updated knowledge and tools to identify hazards and advocate for colleagues. He said cooperation between unions, government and employers could help protect workers. TWU NSW State Secretary Richard Olsen congratulated HSRs who had used their training to seek reasonable safety improvements, acknowledging the work and risk involved in speaking up about workplace safety.

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