Latest NSW WHS news & updates, safety alerts, prosecutions and regulatory updates for businesses.
Company fined $800,000 after fatal reversing reach stacker incident
A company has been convicted and fined $800,000 after a pedestrian was fatally struck by a reversing reach stacker used to handle shipping containers. SafeWork says mobile plant, vehicles and fixed machinery remain an area for action under its regulatory priorities. Following a defended hearing, the company was found guilty of failing to comply with its health and safety duty to other persons under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. The District Court of NSW imposed an $800,000
Horticulture blitz issues 50 safety notices across NSW
SafeWork inspectors issued 50 compliance notices during targeted operations involving horticulture businesses in the Coffs Harbour and Riverina regions. Moving plant, electrical safety and hazardous chemicals were among the issues identified, with further regulatory action under assessment. An eight-day operation in the Coffs Harbour region ahead of the berry picking season involved visits to 28 farms, packhouses and agricultural businesses. Inspectors issued 34 compliance notices, comprising 29 improvement notices and five prohibition notices requiring immediate
Companies and director fined $420,000 after industrial gate injury
Two companies and a director have been convicted and fined a combined $420,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries when an industrial gate overran its vertical supports while closing. The case also resulted in separate due diligence convictions against the director. The incident occurred on 24 March 2022, when a worker was struck by an industrial gate as it was being closed. SafeWork said the gate overran its vertical supports, causing serious injuries.One company pleaded guilty to failing to
SafeWork launches new due diligence tools for NSW officers
SafeWork has released a self-assessment tool and quick reference guide to help officers better understand and apply their WHS due diligence obligations. The resources are designed to identify knowledge gaps and support practical improvement in day-to-day safety leadership. The new self-assessment tool is intended to help officers assess their understanding of due diligence and identify areas where further improvement may be needed. After completing it, users receive a personalised report with ratings and suggested improvement actions.SafeWork
Company fined $390,000 after worker falls through skylight void
A building and maintenance company has been fined $390,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries in a fall through a skylight void. SafeWork says preventing falls remains an area for action under its current regulatory priorities. The incident occurred on 23 October 2023 when the worker fell about three metres through a skylight void from one level to another and sustained serious injuries.The company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with its health and
Company fined $135,000 after crane contacts overhead powerlines
A cement company has been fined $135,000 after a truck-mounted crane contacted overhead powerlines while unloading sand at a construction site. The incident brought down a live low-voltage powerline, although the worker was not injured. The incident occurred on 9 February 2023 at a construction site in Dundas, NSW, while a worker was using a crane mounted on a truck to unload a bag of sand.The crane contacted overhead powerlines and brought down
SafeWork adds 27 inspectors as NSW enforcement capacity expands
SafeWork has added 27 new inspectors across metropolitan and regional NSW, including five specialists focused on psychosocial risks. The expansion increases the regulator's frontline capacity across areas identified in its 2026-27 regulatory priorities. Fourteen of the new inspectors will be based in metropolitan Sydney, while 13 will work across regional NSW, including the Hunter, Central Coast, Riverina, South Coast, Illawarra and Central West.Five members of the graduating group are psychosocial inspectors