International Day of Mourning: Renewing Our Commitment to Safer Workplaces

The New South Wales Government has formally observed the International Day of Mourning, paying tribute to workers who have died as a result of workplace incidents or occupational disease, and standing in solidarity with the families, friends and colleagues who continue to carry the burden of their loss.

This day serves as a solemn reminder of every worker who did not return home, and of the profound and lasting impact that each workplace fatality has on loved ones and communities. The Government has acknowledged the depth of grief felt across the state and reiterated that every workplace death is one too many.

In 2025, 60 workers in NSW lost their lives due to work-related incidents. This tragic figure underlines the critical importance of robust work health and safety (WHS) management systems, clear policies and procedures, and practical tools such as Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) to identify, control and monitor risks in every workplace.

The NSW Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing workplace incidents and fatalities by driving stronger accountability and higher safety standards. Recent industrial manslaughter laws now hold employers criminally responsible for operating unsafe workplaces, reinforcing the message that preventable harm is unacceptable and that those who fail in their WHS duties can be held to account.

Significant action has also been taken to address silicosis and other deadly dust-related diseases. Measures include the introduction of the Lung Bus and the Silica Workers Register, a ban on manufactured stone, and strengthened early detection and long-term health monitoring. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to ensure that WHS risk management is embedded into everyday work practices, supported by comprehensive WHS policies and procedures. For workplaces seeking structured guidance, resources such as formal WHS management systems and policy frameworks are available through specialist providers, including WHS management system solutions.

The Government has also extended protections to transport gig workers under the state’s industrial framework, recognising the need for consistent safety standards across emerging and non-traditional forms of work.

A record $127.7 million investment has been made to establish SafeWork NSW as a standalone regulator and to appoint 51 additional inspectors, representing the largest single uplift in inspector numbers in the organisation’s history. This funding is part of a broader $344 million Workplace Mental Health package aimed at strengthening mental health support, improving WHS risk controls and preventing psychological injury at work.

To ensure diverse and informed input into safety policy, the SafeWork Advisory Council has been established, bringing together unions, employer representatives and WHS experts. This body provides a forum for evidence-based decision-making on how to create safer workplaces across all industries.

In addition, NSW is establishing a first-of-its-kind Psychosocial Advisory Service to provide workers and business owners with tailored advice on managing psychosocial risks, such as work-related stress, bullying, harassment and fatigue. This initiative reinforces the message that psychological health is an integral part of WHS and must be addressed through systematic risk management, clear procedures and appropriate support.

On the International Day of Mourning, the Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis, expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of workers who have died as a result of their work, and restated the Government’s commitment to improving WHS outcomes so that every worker can return home safely at the end of the day.

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey emphasised that every worker has the right to come home safely, and that every workplace fatality is a trauma that resonates for decades. He reaffirmed the union movement’s determination to work towards the safest possible workplaces and to prevent further tragedies.

SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer noted that the International Day of Mourning is both a time to honour the memory of those who never returned home, and a powerful reminder of the responsibility every workplace holds to protect its workers. She called on all employers and PCBUs to renew their commitment to safe systems of work, effective SWMS where required, and continuous improvement in WHS practices.

As NSW marks this day of remembrance, the message is clear: everyone who leaves for work has the right to return home. Through stronger regulation, better WHS management systems, effective consultation and a shared commitment to prevention, the state aims to build safer, healthier workplaces for all.