SafeWork NSW harm prevention teams

Inspectors respond to requests for service and incidents, carry out proactive compliance and engagement activities across all harms, risks and industries within Regional North and South of NSW.

The team implements educational and awareness activities including attending and presenting at events that support industry associations and other stakeholder groups. They collaborate with and participate in internal and external working groups to facilitate state and national harmonisation as it relates to relevant industry sectors and harms.

Our Operations WHS Metro Compliance Inspectors enforce and verify work health and safety compliance to protect workers across the Sydney Metro area.

The team responds to incidents and requests for service to all hazards and harms. They deliver safety by influencing industry and building relationships with unions, Health and Safety Reps and stakeholders.

They focus on:

• education and awareness to improve compliance using forums and channels shared by our stakeholders and
• emerging safety concerns such as gig economy and lithium-ion risks.

Our Operations Metro Construction Inspectors manage the strategic approach to supporting a safe, healthy and productive construction industry in NSW and extend to the Newcastle and Wollongong areas.

The team provides a strong and consistent focus on building industry capability through strategic and collaborative stakeholder management, evidence and risk-based harm prevention initiatives and a proportionate, targeted regulator response to construction incidents and requests for service.

Our Investigations and Enforcement Inspectors manage and coordinate advisory and triage services on behalf of SafeWork NSW. They coordinate and contribute to response activities and requests for prosecution and manage the After Hours Emergency Response Service (AHERS).

This frontline operations team conducts comprehensive, complex, strategic and high-profile investigations and manage responsive sentencing outcomes, enforceable undertakings and WHS verification activities.

They monitor compliance of high-risk workplaces and repeat offenders, communicating work health and safety regulatory outcomes and lessons learnt to workers, industry, stakeholders and the community.

The team influences the state and national agenda and partners with other regulators (e.g. IPART) as the work relates to triage, response, investigation practice and enforcement outcomes.

Our Occupational Health and Environment Inspectors influence state and national legislation, policy, standards and guidance on specialist harm prevention and regulation relating to health, hygiene, ergonomics and the work environment.

The team designs, develops and implements resources and targeted risk-based prevention strategies informed by research, data and intelligence to assist duty holders comply with legislative obligations.

Our Asbestos and Demolition Inspectors are responsible for enactment of Work Health and Safety and Explosives Legislation for asbestos and demolition.

They are the drivers of NSW policy, frameworks and strategies, specialist advice and legislative reform and investigate incidents and accidents.

The team assess national and international best practice to inform and strengthen activities in NSW. They also collaborate nationally to inform better outcomes related to asbestos regulatory policy and practice.

Our Infrastructure and Renewables Inspectors monitor and address emerging safety and health risks and respond to request for service and incidents related to infrastructure sites and the renewables sector.

The team develops and implements risk-based harm prevention initiatives, carries out strategic monitoring of and collaborates with other regulators about major Government infrastructure projects to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of workers.

Our Silica Inspectors provide guidance and develop risk-based compliance programs in affected sectors while monitoring the legislative impact.

The team works closely with industry, playing a critical role to ensure awareness and compliance with the new silica related legislation, enhancing safety practices, ultimately saving lives and preventing illness associated with silicosis.

Our Psychosocial Programs and Return to Work Inspectors focus on workplaces, providing expert guidance and assistance on complex operational matters.

The team develops plans and strategies like the Psychological Health and Safety Strategy 2024 – 2026 and influence state and national legislation, policy, standards and guidance on specialist harm prevention and regulation.

They design, develop and implement resources to assist duty holders to comply with legislative obligations and provide expertise to SIRA and SafeWork NSW operational teams. Their role is pivotal to ensuring employers comply with workers compensation and return to work obligations and injured employees safely and sustainably return to work following workplace incidents.

Our Engineering Inspectors provide advice on mechanical, civil, structural and electrical engineering to businesses across NSW, industry groups, government agencies and inspectors that support work health and safety investigations and regulatory compliance activities.

The team supports and leads responsive activities related to requests for service and incidents of a technical nature, related to high-risk plant and electrical matters.

They collaborate with other state regulators, industry associations and Standards Australia to achieve national standards and consistency regarding the WHS Legislation and Codes of Practice.

Dangerous Goods and Explosives Inspectors administer Work Health Safety Legislation, Explosives Legislation and parts of the Dangerous Goods Road and Rail Transport Legislation.

They regulate compliance for all Schedule 11 and potential major hazard facilities in NSW (hazardous chemicals), assess, review and recommend licence applications for individuals and persons conducting business or undertaking (PCBUs), authorise all explosives used in NSW and approve all packages for transporting dangerous goods.

Our Safety Auditing Inspectors are specialists in safety management systems.

The team consists of Inspectors with quality auditing qualifications, project officers and regulatory service officers who provide support across SafeWork NSW teams including Major Hazard Facilities, Dangerous Goods and Explosives.

Third Party Verification Inspectors verify the activities of High-Risk Work (HRW) assessors and provide technical specialist support and advice across twenty-nine high risk licence classes.

The team also verifies General Construction Induction training, Health and Safety Representative training and Entry Permit Holder training. They ensure compliance with SafeWork NSW conditions of approval and accreditation.

The Respect at Work team including Inspectors enable greater coordination and collaboration with stakeholders to prevent gender-based harmful behaviours such as Heads of Workplace Safety Authority (HWSA) and the National Plan to End Violence Against Women.

The team is a dedicated focus and engagement point for actions that prevent and address workplace sexual harassment as well providing expert guidance and assistance to operational teams on complex matters.

They develop and implement regulatory engagement plans, such as the 2023-27 Respect at Work Strategy and educate and equip workplaces to prevent, minimise and respond to workplace sexual harassment and other gender-based harms.

Inspectors regulate major hazard facilities (MHF) including oil refineries, chemical manufacture, chemical processing plants, petrochemical and explosives storage. They manage warehouses storing substantial quantities of hazardous chemicals, evaluate the potential risks associated with MHFs and review safety cases and risk assessments ensuring operators meet required criteria for adequacy and compliance to issue licenses.

Teams are part of a state-wide multi agency operational team including NSW Fire and Rescue, NSW Police and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that monitors and regulates multiple MHF to ensure compliance with work health and safety and Explosives Legislation. They collaborate and engage with other Government agencies, industry associations, international bodies and communities about MHF safety issues/concerns and promote safety.