The Hon Robert McDougall KC was commissioned by the NSW Government in October 2022 to carry out a review of SafeWork NSW to make recommendations in relation to the performance and effectiveness of SafeWork’s compliance and enforcement functions.
The Department of Customer Service has actively supported the independent review and will welcome its findings, as work continues to reform the work health and safety regulator through changes to structure and the way it responds to workplace incidents.
Media reports today have raised concerns detailed in submissions to the review from stakeholders, staff, unions and those impacted by workplace safety incidents in relation to responses to incidents, internal bullying of staff and issues relating to hospital safety.
The review’s final report is currently being considered by Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Costis, with the outcomes expected to address issues raised in submissions relating to SafeWork’s regulatory operations.
In October, Trent Curtin was appointed acting Deputy Secretary of SafeWork NSW to assist the government put in place new structure and governance arrangements as part of the response to the McDougall Review. This ensures SafeWork is a strong, robust and responsive WHS regulator which continually improves worker safety in NSW.
For more information on the terms of reference of the McDougal Review, please visit Terms of Reference – Independent Review of SafeWork NSW.
Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said:
“It is important to recognise the dedication and commitment of the inspectors and staff of SafeWork NSW, who are driven to secure work health and safety compliance for everyone at work in NSW.
“Since 1 December 2023, SafeWork NSW is now operating as a standalone regulator within the Department of Customer Service. Further reorganisation of SafeWork NSW is currently being considered by the Government and will be dependent on the outcomes of the McDougall Review. I expect these upcoming reforms will better support our inspectors and staff in enforcing compliance with WHS laws across NSW.”