Abattoir safety blitz results in three improvement notices

The inspections examined whether duty holders were meeting their work health and safety obligations, with particular attention to labour hire arrangements and complex supply chains. Inspectors also checked the safety of mobile plant, vehicles and fixed machinery.

The five facility visits resulted in three improvement notices addressing breaches of work health and safety laws involving machine guarding and traffic management. Checks concerning migrant workers found generally strong arrangements for consultation, training, supervision and worker welfare.

The abattoir operation is among several compliance campaigns running during Safe Work Month. SafeWork NSW is also undertaking its largest-ever compliance program targeting psychosocial hazards, with inspectors set to discuss these hazards with employers and workers and examine steps taken to eliminate or reduce the risks.

Businesses will receive resources to help manage and prevent psychosocial hazards at work. Inspectors will also carry out a statewide visit program covering all four of SafeWork NSW’s 2026–27 regulatory priorities.

This year’s Safe Work Month theme, “Safe work is for life”, reflects the role of work health and safety in protecting workers’ lives, health and future. Alongside inspections, SafeWork NSW will meet businesses, industry groups and stakeholders throughout October to share insights, resources and tools for designing safe and healthy work practices that prevent injuries, illnesses and long-term harm.

The regulator will attend the Workplace Health & Safety Show at Sydney Olympic Park on 21–22 October, as well as AgTech Discovery Days in regional NSW centres. It will also host in-person events for construction principal contractors and workers, workshops addressing workplace sexual harassment, and a health and safety representatives forum in Nowra on 21 October.

SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer described compliance blitzes as part of the regulator’s approach to high-risk activities. “Compliance blitzes are an important part of SafeWork NSW’s strategy to proactively address high-risk activities across the State.”

Schorer also outlined the role of engagement activities in bringing businesses and stakeholders together to share experiences and discuss workplace safety, and the regulator’s commitment to helping businesses remain accountable for workers’ health and safety. “Everyone deserves to return home safely from work.”

How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your business’s approach to work health and safety and identify areas that may need closer attention. Take the free WHS self-check